Fabric and Fiction
Fabric and fiction just seem to go together for me. If I’m not sewing you’ll often find me with my nose in a book and cat on my lap.
One of my favorite groups that I’ve participated in within the online quilt community is Fabric and Fiction hosted by Bernie at Needle and Foot. Bernie chooses a book and sends it to the first person on the list. When that person is finished reading, he/she chooses three fat quarters that tie to something in the book. The book and fat quarters get packaged up with a little note and sent on to the next person. I’ve participated in three Fabric and Fiction books and enjoyed each one.
The last book we read was The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella. I was first on the list, so when Bernie finished reading, she sent me the book along with the top three fabrics (the brown fabric is from my stash).
I love the fabrics, especially the rust with the utensils. I’ve pulled them out so many times and tried to decide what to make. Finally I settled on a small little table mat.
Now, before I show you the finished mat, I have a confession to make. I was going to free motion quilt this little mini. The woodgrain pattern seemed like it would be fun to try, so I did a little practicing. (Woodgrain on utensils makes absolutely no sense to me either, but I like the design.)
I have to admit I thought I did pretty well on the woodgrain for a first try. It got a little off track though, so I wasn’t sure I wanted to try it for keeps yet. Then I tried some swirls; they were okay too. Over on the far left, you can see where I basically lost interest. Ha.
So it was back to my love affair with my walking foot.
I did horizontal lines on the utensil fabric.
Vertical lines on the teacup fabric.
The backing fabric is the You Are Here map print by Priory Square by Katy Jones for Art Gallery Fabric (Bernie has this in her shop, by the way). I purposely wanted to use the whole fat quarter rather than cut it up because it’s so pretty.
Here’s a closer view.
The mat measures about 14″ x 18″. The width of the strips are 4.5″ and the brown sashing is 1/2″ finished. The teacup fabric is a 5″ cut, a 6.5″ cut, and a 7.5″ cut.
So how do these fabrics tie into the book? Well, you’ll have to read the book and see if you can figure it out. It’s a fun read.
I’m linking up today with Susan from Quilt Fabrication and Lorna from Sew Fresh Quilts.
Wendy
27 Comments
Lisa
You do such a lovely job with your walking foot. The free motion does take a lot of committed time doesn’t it. I have never been able to make it onto the fabric and fiction list as it fills up so quickly. I am going to give you one of the Swedish crime writers though because it popped into my head on the way to work yesterday. Hennig Mankell. The ones that take place in Sweden seem to work a bit better than the ones that take place in Africa. Right now I am reading The Man Who Wasn’t there by Hjorth and Rosenfeldt. They are screen writers who wrote “The Bridge”
Karen
I’ll have to look for the book! I too usually stick with straight lines, free motion is not for me
piecefulwendy
I am determined to at least get comfortable with free motion. 😊
Gray Barn Designs
Your mat is very nice! I go a chuckle when you said you lost interest in FMQ…same thing happens to me! I always stick to my walking foot when I am insecure…which is most of the time! Fabric and Fiction sounds like a great way to meet fellow quilters AND it’s always nice to get a special gift in the mail.
piecefulwendy
Thanks! Yes, the book share is fun. The fabric is an added plus. 😊
Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting
I agree–woodgrain quilting is tricky. I did some recently and thought, that’s the knottiest wood in the world–if that were real wood, it would be thrown out, cuz there’s no way to cut through all those knots!! Straight line quilting looks just right for your memento project. How did you like the book?
piecefulwendy
The book was a fun read. A little different than my usual genre (murder mysteries).
rl2b2017
Hi Wendy,
Your table mat turned out fabulous! HAHA – I really had to giggle over the wood grain on utensils. It wood work – heehee. I am a huge fan of the walking foot, and I adore straight line stitching all the time – and not just because it’s in my wheelhouse. The fabrics are great and the whole Fabric and Fiction idea sounds like real fun. ~smile~ Roseanne
piecefulwendy
Thanks, Roseanne!
Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats
Fabric and Fiction…what fun!!! Your placemat looks great! I have never seen those fabrics before. Either I lead a sheltered life away from fabric stores (and we know that isn’t true) or I am not looking in the right places.
piecefulwendy
Thanks, Karen!
shelteringhaven
Love the idea of fabric and fiction! And..I’m liking the spoons…and map too! The mat is so fun.
piecefulwendy
Thanks! I get why you like the spoons and map! 😊
somethingrosemade14
Sounds like a fun group but sadly I don’t spend too much time reading, except for blog posts, etc. I love your placemat, it looks very proper for a cuppa and is that a scone? Yums, I would be happy to participate in a Fabric and Food Group.
piecefulwendy
That is a scone. Blueberry 😊
thedarlingdogwood
It looks great! Books and quilts are such a great combo, your group sounds like an awesome idea!
piecefulwendy
Thank you!
Tish
Somehow, I missed that this was going on. I love the concept. Just one more reason to love the quilting community. I love the little mat you created with your fat quarters. It’s a great little piece to celebrate friendship and a good book.
piecefulwendy
Thanks, Tish!
My Sewful Retirement
Fabric and fiction sounds like fun! Combining my two fabric things! I love your table mat — I prefer walking foot quilting every time!
I’m going to look for the book Undomestic Goddess — thanks for sharing!
smilesfromkate
Lovely table mat, the fabrics work so well for the design as does your walking foot quilting. Keep on with the FMQ, I haven’t mastered it either but just have a go and call it wonky, I think you are coming on great.
Bernie
Wendy — this is soooo cute! I am glad you enjoyed the fabrics. I love that you left the map fabric whole. I love that print. You could put it map side up and put a vase on it or a plant, a candle, that sort of thing. It would be pretty in the fall.
piecefulwendy
Thanks, Bernie! I’m happy you like it. Yes, I thought that it could be reversible too!
Lynn White
Gorgeous looking mat and the quilting looks spot on to me.
piecefulwendy
Thank you, Lynn!
Sandra Walker
That definitely is a fun little mat you made; I really like the backing fabric. I thought your woodgrain looked pretty decent to me! It’s a great idea that Bernie has, isn’t it?
piecefulwendy
Thanks, Sandra! Yes, Bernie’s idea is good fun. 😊