Cats and Leaves Quilted Table Topper

This eye-catching seasonal quilt is extremely easy and quick to make. We used embroidery designs from the Patchwork Leaf Set, and Whimsical Cat Silhouette Set I and Set III for the large (5" x 7") hoop.

The finished size of the table topper is about 28" x 28".

You will need:

• embroidery thread (either polyester or rayon)
• light-weight and medium-weight cut-away stabilizer,
• about 1 yard of light/neutral cotton fabrics (we used 3 batiks),
• a scrap of brown fabric,
• about 1/4 yard of orange cotton fabric (we used an orange batik),
• batting,
• quilting threads to match the fabrics,
• quilter's ruler and rotary cutter (or graphic pencil and sharp scissors).

Cutting:

Note: seam allowance is 1/4" is included.

Out of light fabrics cut:

• 8 squares measuring 8 1/2" x 8 1/2",
• 2 strips measuring 1 1/2" x 6 1/2",
• one strip measuring 1 1/2" x 8 1/2",
• 2 strips measuring 1 1/2" x 3 3/4",
• 4 squares measuring 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" and
• 26 squares measuring 2 1/2" x 2 1/2".

Out of orange fabric, cut

• 35 squares measuring 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" and
• 3-4 strips 2 1/2" wide and the length of the width of the fabric for the binding.

Out of brown fabric, cut a square measuring 1 1/2" x 1 1/2".

Assembly of the Central Block.

For the central block, the pumpkin, take 9 orange squares, 4 light 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" squares, all light strips and the brown square.

On the corner of an orange square, place a light square, face to face. Align the edges.

Draw a diagonal from corner to corner on the light square. Topstitch along the diagonal.
Cut away the corner with seam allowance 1/4".
Open the corner and press.
Repeat to make a total of 4 such "corner" squares.

Sew two "corner" squares to an orange square to make a strip as shown. Make 2 such strips.

Sew 3 orange squares in a strip.

Sew all the strips together.

Sew the 1 1/2" x 6 1/2" neutral-colored strips to the left and right edges of the pumpkin.

Sew the 1 1/2" x 8 1/2" to the lower edge of the pumpkin.

Sew the brown square between 1 1/2" x 3 3/4" strips.

Sew the strip to the upper edge of the pumpkin.

Assembly of the Top:

Sew the 8 1/2" x 8" in 2 strips, 3 squares in a strip.

Sew the remaining 2 squares to the left and right edges of the pumpkin block.

Sew the strips together.

Alterating neutral and orange 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" squares sew them in 2 strips, 12 squares in each strip.

Sew the strips to the left and right edges of the working piece.

Alterating neutral and orange 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" squares sew them in 2 strips, 14 squares in each strip.

Sew the new strips to the upper and lower edges of the working piece.

Emboridery

We embroidered the Patchwork Leaves in the squares around the pumpkin. Choose autumn-colored threads for the leaves.
The cats are embroidered on diagonal in the corner squares, heads inside. Please be careful not to ....
Use light-weight cut-away stabilizer for leaves and medium-weight cut-away stabilizer for cats.

Quilting and Finishing:

Now place the backing on a flat surface (table) face down. Cover with batting. Spread your working piece over it.

Pin all three layers together with 1" pins and start quilting. We quilted with parallel lines along the light margin around the embroidery, the first and the second borders. The third border is quilted with a meandering pattern.

After the quilting is finished, press the work with heavy steam and square the work -- all corners should be 90 degrees and opposite sides should be of the same length.

Finish the raw edges with the binding.

The table topper is done!
Here are some more close-ups.

Enjoy!

Happy Stitching!

Back to Patchwork Leaf Set, Whimsical Cat Silhouette Set I or Set III

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