Featuring: my little pupil, and patchwork placemats :)

Happy #needleworkmonday everyone!! Am I odd for being especially excited for Monday to roll around, just so I can check out everyone's projects? :)

Start 'em young!

I had a little pupil begin trying out the sewing machine for the first time this week! Pixie was keeping me company while I sewed binding to placemats, and I was allowing her to cut scrap fabric with my Big Girl scissors. I'd draw lines randomly across the fabric, and then she'd cut it up along the lines. (If I neglected to give her a fresh piece, she'd then cut the scraps to tiny bits like she's doing here haha).

After cutting fabric awhile, she asked, "Mommy can I please sew on your sewing machine?" Well, I've been actively practicing the principle of saying "yes" whenever my kids ask to do something that's going to teach them skills or life lessons or plain old chores--even if slowing down to teach them inconveniences me at the time--so how could I say no to this opportunity of teaching a kid who wanted to learn? :) A bolt of fleece solved the problem of her being too short to reach the foot pedal, and with a piece of scrap fabric and periodic reminders to keep her fingers away from the needle, she was in business!

Meanwhile, I was in the business of binding a set of 8 placemats, requested by a friend, that I began last month. I had the tops pieced and quilted to the fleece and backing before setting them aside to get a baby quilt done. Now I'm putting dark blue printed binding on them.

Doing double lapped binding

Here you can see the reverse sides, one piece of a floral print fabric. Two placemats in one!

A completed placemat!

I have 3 done, and the other 5 nearly done. I'm hoping to finish them today.

In other news, Steemit and particularly #needleworkmonday has inspired me to break out my crochet hook, which I haven't touched in many years! I'm going to start crocheting an egg apron during times like this, where I dropped the Husband off at an appt, the kids at school, and now I'm stuck in town waiting around for everyone. Looking at all the crochet and knitting projects here reminded me that a crochet project can travel around with me to be worked on anywhere! :)

Hanging out at the local coffee shop

I'm off to start crocheting :) Hope everyone is having a good Monday morning so far!