When I first looked at the Timberland Critters fabrics I immediately noticed the circles and I saw coasters. Since I live and work inside a log cabin, coasters with all the little Timberland Critters on them seemed perfect for me. (My favorite is the woodpecker… go figure). Coaster are always super easy and, using the “quick turn” method as described in my previous posts, you can make a few up lickety split. But I wanted to use more than just the circles in my project so I decided to make a hotplate.
I would use a hotplate for a variety of things… not only to put a hot dish down on the table, but also to set a plant on to keep my table dry, a center piece for a table display… etc.
To start making my hot plate I chose to use some of my smaller pieces of Timberland Critters fabrics that I had use for my other projects. I created a small wedge template and cut out my pieces. If you need a template to start your project you can find one on my website under the <STUFF> tab. Print out the pdf file and begin cutting.
Cut out eight wedge pieces and stitch 4 together into a half circle. Repeat the process with the other four wedge pieces and then pin and sew the two half circles together. You will wind up with an adorable “pie” like this one.
Next add some stabilizer to the back of your “pie”. I use Shape Flex. It is a fusible product that adds stability but is also very flexible and easy to sew through and doesn’t add stiffness or weight to your project. Fuse to the back of your “pie”.
Next choose a center for your hotplate. I chose this cute little fox. He looked like he wanted to sit right in the center of my circle.
To trim a nice even circle I used a circle cutter on my little fox, adhered some stabilizer to the back of him and made sure to measure the proper placement in the center of my hotplate.
Once the placement was perfect I stitched around the outside just like the other projects with a zigzag stitch.
Before using the “quick turn” method to complete my project I added one more embellishment. I tried something new and stitched two colors of rickrack together to make a multi-colored trim.
Before stitching the layers together I tucked the rickrack into the seam allowance. I stitched around the outside of the project, turned it right side out and added some quilting.
I love the way the colors alternate on the rickrack around the outside. You could also use one of ADORNit’s twill tapes to complete your project. These projects are so fun and easy to make.
Come back again and see what else I made with Timberland Critters.
Happy Quilting
~Penni
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