Merryville Playmat
I just finished up this little cute-y just in time for a birthday party tomorrow. I used Michael Miller's Merryville fabric and quilted it with Blue Play Dot as the backing. It is bound with Red Pindot Bias Trim. Then we (I had my employee, Maribel, bind it for me- hers looks so much better than mine) just used 14 inch long strips of bias trim to use as ties.
I am not an expert quilter, but I didn't think this came out too badly. I just started in the center of the mat and carefully quilted around the design on the road. And yes, in some places the fabric is a little gunched up, but I figure that is just part of it. A couple of machine washings and no one will notice, right?
UPDATE 8/1/2008: I wrote up a general tutorial here.
"Gunched up"? I've never heard anyone but my mother use that term!
Love the playmat! Very happy.
Posted by: Tara | July 25, 2008 at 03:25 PM
Cute playmat!
Posted by: Jackie | July 25, 2008 at 03:30 PM
I'm due in november! I'll let you know where to send it! haha
Posted by: courtney | July 25, 2008 at 03:45 PM
Love this idea...what a great gift!
Posted by: Doris at Threads of Conversation | July 25, 2008 at 03:57 PM
That is cool fabric for a playmat. Very sweet project! Love the quilting you did along the roadside.
Posted by: Terri | July 25, 2008 at 04:15 PM
Awwww... Adorable! My son just got one like this for his 3rd birthday and he absolutely loves it (of course it didn't come with the nifty roll up feature). Your recipient will love it!
Posted by: Kellie | July 25, 2008 at 05:05 PM
So cute! Perfect for a play mat and little toy cars!
Posted by: Wendy | July 25, 2008 at 06:11 PM
Very Clever, Caroline. I confess that I taught you the word gunched-up. Too many times that happens but it won't be noticed in quilting. Love from your mother
Posted by: Janet Newman | July 25, 2008 at 08:14 PM
Love Love Love! I'm always looking for unique gift ideas and this is certainly going on my list!
Great job!
Posted by: Tracey | July 25, 2008 at 11:35 PM
I Lo0Ove this! I didn't even think this fabric was out yet. Sheesh! I'm sure behind the times, huh? Lovely job!! :O)
Posted by: shawn | July 27, 2008 at 01:28 PM
Beautiful! Would love to make one just like this for my son, can I ask how many yards you used?
Posted by: Lisa | July 28, 2008 at 03:11 AM
Recipient does indeed love this play mat! I really noticed no flaws, only the love that you put into it, Caroline. Thanks for such a lovely, lovely gift.
Posted by: Rhonda | July 28, 2008 at 11:08 AM
this is really cute! I'm thinking of making a table cloth one......
Posted by: dirftwood shack | July 29, 2008 at 03:09 AM
I've never seen a playmat like this before... what an awesome idea! And that fabric is just wonderful. Thanks for the tutorial too! :)
Posted by: RobinE | August 02, 2008 at 03:24 AM
That is so cute. I love the dot fabric. I bound my son's dick and jane quilt with it and made a changing pad with it. Awesome mat!
Posted by: Jen | August 04, 2008 at 03:20 PM
It's wonderful. I'm SO in love with the Merryville fabric. Beautiful job.
Posted by: Jennie C. | September 06, 2008 at 10:14 PM
It is absolutely adorable! And a fascinating touch-pattern for a child. I find myself "tracing" your seams with a finger on my desk.
Posted by: Jorun | September 17, 2008 at 02:39 AM
Hi! I just stumbled onto your site. I LOVE IT! And I love that quilt! My son will be 3 in Jan. so he is too old to use this but I want to make one just for the hell of it...it's THAT cool! Do you know of any fabrics that I can use for a baby girl?
Keep up the fantastic work!
Posted by: Jen | October 06, 2008 at 02:44 PM
sooooo cute!!!
Posted by: pattye | October 12, 2008 at 09:38 PM
That play mat is gorgeous, will have to hunt myself up some fabric!
Posted by: Margaret | January 07, 2009 at 06:01 AM
I love it! And i don't think 3 is too old for it. I made something similar for a friend (but with appliqued detail because i didn't know this fabric existed...this is very cute and much easier!) and my 3 year old son loved it and didn't want me to give it away. i will be making him one soon!
Posted by: Norah | January 23, 2009 at 01:00 PM
This is gorgeous! Thanks for sharing. :)
Posted by: SkylarKD | April 06, 2009 at 02:27 PM