Placemats: Project Organization

Because I sell some of the things that I make, it's important to have a system in place whereby I can easily identify the fabrics used in the item, as well as find the pattern and construction details. It has taken a while to design a system that is functional and efficient. Since I have only recently started to use this system, time will tell how useful it will actually be. Organization is an ever evolving process for me that must adapt as requirements change.

Last year, I sold these four placemats. Since then, I have had a request for 4 more that are the same or similar. Because the red and beige bird "toile" was the only fabric left in the stash, the other fabrics had to be matched and re-purchased.


Placemats-"Cours I"

To help with this process of matching fabrics, my daughter and I had catalogued all of my fabrics according to colour a few years ago. A 3"x3" sample was cut from each fabric and glued to a sheet of cardstock with other fabrics from the same colour family.

As I purchase new fabric, I cut a 3"x3" block from it and add it to the file.

Underneath each sample I keep a record of the name of the fabric, where it was purchased, and the cost.

Even once the fabric has been used up,the sample stays in the file for future reference, so that I can use it to purchase a matching fabric, as is what I did with these four placemats.

When fabrics are used in a specific project, I make another card of samples and keep it in a binder, (in a photo sleeve), along with the construction details.

Here, the card in the bottom slot ("Placemats-Cours I"), has samples of the fabrics used in the original placemats. The top card ("Placemats-Cours II) has the samples used for the new placemats. The red and beige bird "toile" (second from the left) was the only fabric that was still in the stash. All other fabric had to be purchased. The backing (the first sample on the left of each card), and the solid beige are a very close match to the original. The original binding (beige with gold scrolling), was more difficult to match, so I chose a solid burgundy instead.

The new placemats have been pieced, and are ready for quilting. Other then the solid burgundy binding, the fabrics are very similar.

Placemats-"Cours II"
The pieced top is laying on the backing fabric, with the burgundy binding loosely draping the edges.

My hope is to eventually update the binder to include most of my recent projects.

Boutis: Traditional French Needlework

" Piqûre de Marseilles" or "Boutis" is a traditional French hand stitched and corded needlework technique, which uses embroidery stitches to create intricate channels that will later be stuffed with yarn, thereby creating a raised design with three layers. It's origins, and it's name, can be traced to the port of Marseilles in southern France to the 15th century. Traditional boutis was a technique invented to embellish otherwise plain white cotton with intricately patterned channels that would later be stuffed with a plump white yarn to give it relief. The resulting corded whitework created an elegant, embossed textile that was much sought after. Not only was it aesthetically appealing, but it also provided warmth and absorbency, so could be used for bed coverings, toilette linens (like towels), clothing items, home decor, etc. The first two photos below are from the collection of Mme. Monique Alphand, a well known French expert and collector of antique t

Amish Hand Quilting in France with Esther Miller

Esther Miller, was born into an Amish family in the U.S., and now lives in Germany where she has for many years taught the techniques and methods of Amish hand quilting to anyone interested in learning these skills. As a child, she would closely watch as the women of her community worked together on a quilt, and eventually she was rewarded with a needle of her own and encouraged to join the group. Through the years, she has mastered these skills and techniques and now generously shares them with anyone who has a genuine desire to learn. Esther Miller in Ste. Marie-aux-Mines in Alsace France. An example of her own work, Esther brings this intricately and perfectly hand stitched wall quilt to class as inspiration for her students. Last week, at the "European Meeting of Patchwork" in Ste. Marie-aux-Mines, in Alsace France, www.patchwork-europe.com , I had the privilege of taking a 2 day workshop with Esther. The Amish quilting method requires a free-standing simple

Blocking and Squaring Boutis

The door of her cage has been opened. She is free to fly off and find her destiny. After many months of hand stitching and then many more months of cording, my little "colibri" is ready to set off on her own. As this was my first attempt at designing so large a boutis piece, it was a learning curve. All of the tight swirls, curls and circles are a great deal more difficult and time consuming to cord then are the longer more gentle channels. Maintaining an even tension is absolutely necessary throughout the process, so patience comes in very handy when doing the cording. The process of stitching and cording a work of boutis subjects the fabric to a lot of handling and manipulation that can distort the design. For this reason, once all of the stitching and cording is complete, the boutis must be washed, blocked and squared. The first step of washing is to remove all traces of the marking pencil as well as any soil that may have collected over the many months of working w

needle and nestMarch 8, 2013 at 7:57 PM
Wow. First, those place mats are beautiful, especially the quilting. And second, I'm so impressed with your system! I used to sell things on Etsy and keeping a record of fabrics was always tough for me. Even now, since I mostly work with scraps I generally have no idea which fabric is which.
MonicaMarch 8, 2013 at 8:17 PM
Yes, wow, lol. It never occured to me that this would be an issue, but I can see that it would be if you are in business. Quite a challenge! Let us know if it serves.

I have just spent a day re-organizing things too. It seems to be necessary every four months or so as my plans change.

The placemats, though, are extremely elegant. I am not surprised you received a request for more!

Seams French

Search This Blog