Happy New Year everyone!
Found this project online at http://www.allfreesewing.com. They have many home projects that use scraps and old items that are no longer useful in their present state.
This Folded Star Mat caught my attention because it looks like quilting and can be done by those of us that are not exactly the most patient of souls.
In the first picture you will see one of the mats in progress. This more for illustration and to say it will look pretty good when finished.
The next is my first try as a completed mat.
A fun project, though it does use a fair amount of material per color (about 1 fat quarter for the quilters or about a quarter of a yard for the rest of us). Following are the instructions I got from www.allfreesewing.com and www.aspoonfullofsugardesigns.com.
Folded Star Patchwork is a bit like fabric origami. The pattern is created from folding and layering different fabrics. This technique was common in the 1980’s and is making a comeback. It is a very simple and effective technique and looks great using modern fabrics. It uses lots of fabric so it a great stash buster project!
We think the star design looks very festive. It would be perfect for little table mats or placemats for your Christmas decorating.
If you would like to try this technique, we have written a few steps to guide you. Our Folded Star Mat measures 10 inches in diameter.
Fabrics and Materials:
5 Fat quarters of quilting cotton (inner layers of the star, backing)
1/2 yard (0.4 m) of quilting cotton (polka dot – outer layer of star)
1 yard (1 meter) bias binding
Firm fusible interfacing
Fabric Credit: We used 5 Fat Quarters from the Wallflowers range from Windham Fabrics for this project.
Cut Fabrics
- For the center row, cut five 5 inch circles from Fabric 1
- For the next three rows, cut eight 5 inch circles from each fabric.
- For the outside row, cut eight 7 inch x 7 inch squares
- Cut interfacing into a circle that measures 10 inches in diameter
Tip: I cut the 5 inch circles using the circle die on our Go Baby Fabric Cutter.
1. Fold the interfacing circle in half, then into quarters, and then into eighths. Use a marking pen to highlight the fold lines.
2. For the fabric circles. fold them all in half with the right side facing outwards, and press. Bring the outside points down to the center and press. (Refer to Photo of grey circles)
3. For the fabric squares, fold in half, and press. Bring the outside points down to the center front and press to form triangles. (Refer to Photo of Polka Dot Triangles).
4. Centre Row: Open up one of the circles and place it in the center of the interfacing, matching up the fold lines. Place the remaining 4 triangles with the points meeting in the center, lining up the guide lines. Tack the points together. Tack the outer edge in place.
5. Second Row: place the 8 triangles 3/4 inch from the center points, being careful to line up with the fold lines on the interfacing. Tack the points and outer edge in place.
6. Third and Fourth Row: Repeat step 5 for next two rows but placing the points 1/2 inch from the previous row.
7. For the outside Row, repeat using the polka dot triangles.
8. Trim the outside of the mat so that it forms a circle that is 10 inches in diameter, using the interfacing as a guide. Turn the mat so that the interfacing is facing upwards. Layer a fat quarter over the interfacing with the right side facing upwards. Press in place so that it fuses to the interfacing. Trim the backing to the 10 inch circle. Stitch bias binding in place following manufacturer’s directions.
Enjoy! 
Notions and Nibbles 