While cleaning the kitchen the other day, I noticed all the soap that was ending up all over the sink and counter top. I can not stand a mess like that. I thought about making a pad for the soaps and tools to sit on, but I wanted something absorbent. I decided I would make a quilted cloth that I could place under all the soap containers and tools. That way, when they get dirty I can just toss it in the wash and clean it up without even thinking about the mess.
To start, I decided I wanted to do some chevron design. I also have a coffee theme in my kitchen and I had left over fabric from when I made the appliance covers, so I decided to use that and a bunch of coordinating fabrics.
I then decided on how I wanted to make the chevrons and started to cut the fabric.
I decided 3 inch squares would be small enough, but also large enough. I then place right sides together with two squares, and then continued to do that until I had nothing left.
I then took my ruler and drew 2 lines down the center. If you don't have this tool you can draw a line down the center from one point to the other, and then sew 1/4 inch to the left and right of that line.
Now I have my lines, all I do is sew along those lines.
Take your pile of squares over to the sewing machine and sew along the lines, or if you have a line down the center then 1/4 inch from the center line.
You can chain piece these together (meaning sew one block, after another).
Then turn them around and sew the other line or side. Chain piecing if you would like.
All done.
Now take the squares over to your cutting board, and place your ruler down the center of the two stitched lines. Cut the two triangles apart.
You should now have something like this. Continue doing this until all your blocks are triangles.
Take all the squares over to the ironing board and press the seams open. (If you prefer to press to one side feel free).
This is my seam, pressed open.
I then lay out the design I want to do. You can play around and decide on whatever works for you. I had about 3 different ideas, but decided on this.
I then sewed each small block together in twos.
Again, pressing my seams open.
Then take two of those blocks and sew them into a row.
Continue doing this until all your rows are sewn together.
Now take each row and CAREFULLY pin each seam together. This will make sure the points all match.
Press the seams open.
And now you have one zig zag done.
I placed my two different zig zags together and sewed them into one large block.
I then added two end pieces to give the piece a little more detail and fun. Notice, I made my zig zags face each other, but you can flip them, so they all go one direction.
My piece was long, but I wanted to make sure it was square. I added a few inches of brown fabric to frame the zig zags.
I then lay the front zig zag on top of quilting batting and place the terry cloth fabric (which is my back). I cut my back and batting larger then my front, by about 1/2 inch - 1 inch all the way around. That way if it shifts I don't have to worry about cutting any of the front off.
I then use my walking foot, and quilt the design I want to use.
Trim off the extra batting and terry cloth/back fabric, and square up the piece.
Then add your binding.
Once you have your binding on, sew the binding onto the back. You can machine sew it or just finish it by hand sewing. I like hand sewing.
Then you have the finished product!
I then placed my soap cloth on top of a cake stand and placed all my soaps and tools on top of the cloth.
The look is awesome, and really makes it so much easier to clean up spilled soap. I love that all my kitchen scrubbing brushes and drain covers are off the counter and sink. It makes the sink feel clean.
I hope you all feel a little inspired by this mini project.
Keep It Clean,
Sarah
