Wednesday, November 01, 2017

Making Advent Candle mats

This Advent candle mat is essentially a nine patch with half square triangles. The name of the block is a Friendship Star. A couple of weeks ago I realized this would be a perfect configuration for an Advent candle arrangement. These are directions for a 12" mat.


This project requires 2 pieces of yellow/star material in 5 inches and one yellow for the center 4.5 inches. Two pieces 5 inch purple or blue, and 4 pieces of 4.5 dark- blue, purple or in this case batik.
Also, 12.5 inch batting. 12.5 backing and complementary binding.


Pair the large pieces, right sides together.


Draw a diagonal line across the light pieces from corners to corner.


Stitch 1/4 inch away from the center lines on both sides of the line.
Cut the pieces on the line.


Iron into 4 half square triangles


Trim to 4.5 inches (lay the diagonal line of the measuring plate onto the diagonal line on the fabric. Turn and trim other side.


Lay out the star - this is tricky, look carefully.


Pin the three rows and sew 1/4 seams. 


Iron with seams toward the outer edge on top and bottom. 
Iron the seams toward the center on the middle row.


Nest the seams and sew the three rows together. Iron flat. 
(I traced a circle in the center with a removable chalk pencil.)


Layer with the backing fabric (right side down), the batting in the center and the star on top.
Smooth and pin into place.


Quilt the pieces in place and trim.


Sew binding in place.


Trim corners.


Iron and pin binding to the back.


Hand sew or machine stitch the binding to the back.