If you d like to create this Lucky table topper using machine embroidery, the set of 3 embroidery files are available for purchase at www.patricklose.com. These files are Copyright 2010 Patrick Lose. They are available for individual purchase and use, only, and may not be shared with others. Lucky Instructions Materials requirements for one 20 appliquéd table topper/mat These requirements are for non-directional prints All fabrics used in my version of the project are from my Dot-to-Dot collection from Robert Kaufman Fabrics. The colors listed are the actual names used in the collection. Fabrics Note: If you choose to machine embroider your appliqués, you ll need extra fabric for hooping. Apple for background: 21 x 21 Green for appliqués and binding: two 15 x 15 Backing: 22 x 22 fabric of choice Other Materials Warm & Natural Cotton Batting: one 22 x 22 piece I use Warm & Natural for the stability and body it gives the piece. Lite Steam-a-Seam 2 fusible adhesive: two 9 x 12 sheets I use Lite Steam-a-Seam 2 because it s not stiff in the finished piece and it s easy to stitch through without gumming up the needle. Thread for quilting and satin stitching
I use Premium Sulky 40 wt. rayon thread in a coordinating green for satin stitching and in variegated greens for quilting. For quilting and satin stitching I used a 90/14 topstitching needle. Optional: If you wish to satin stitch your appliqués before sandwiching and quilting, you will need some sort of stabilizer, such as Sulky Tear-Easy. Cut the Fabrics From the Nightfall/Background fabric, cut the scalloped background in the following manner: Follow the instructions on Template A to make a quarter template for cutting the topper s background. Fold the 21 x 21 black background square in half and then in half again so that you ve quartered it into a 10½ square. Place the straight edges of the template on folded fabric edges as shown in the illustration on Template B page. Cut along the scalloped line only. Don t unfold yet. Lightly press the folds to create a guide for appliqué placement. If desired, fold into eighths and press another crease. From the Green fabric: Cut a 15 x 15 square to be used for the bias binding. Set it aside for now. Prepare the Appliqué Templates Lay the fusible adhesive, paper side up, over the appliqué templates and trace the number required onto the paper side allowing about ½ space between the traced templates. Transfer the stitching lines within the clover to the right side of the fabric. Roughly cut the templates out about ¼ outside of the traced line. Fuse the Appliqués Remove the paper backing from the appliqués. Referring to the photo or illustration, arrange the appliqués on the right side of the scalloped top using the following tips: The lower points of the hearts and lower clover edges are placed 1¼ from the raw outer edge of the topper. The outer stitching line of the hearts will be closer to the edge. When you are satisfied with the placement of the appliqués, fuse them into place. At this point, choose whether you d like to satin stitch your appliqués first and then sandwich and quilt or vice versa. On this piece, I chose to do the satin stitching first. So, I proceeded as follows. and you can skip to the Binding instructions. If you would like to finish the edges of the appliqués, go to next step for satin stitching.
Satin Stitching Place tear away stabilizer under your appliqués (on the wrong side of the background fabric) and satin stitch the raw edges. Use a narrow stitch width (I use the 2.5 setting most often), and a stitch length as short and tight as you can handle. The clovers and hearts additional stitching details can be done by satin stitching or by using your machine s triple stitch. You can stitch these details now or as part of your quilting. Quilting Sandwich the batting between the top and backing and quilt as desired over the quilt, excluding the appliqués. I used a meander path as seen in the photo. Binding Because the mat has curved edges, you ll need to bind them with a strip cut on the bias. Use your preferred method to do this or follow the instructions, below, to cut a continuous bias strip and complete the binding. Cut the Bias Binding fabric square in half once diagonally (45 degree angle). Place the two triangle pieces right sides together along straight edge as shown in Illustration C. Press. Using a gridded transparent ruler, measure from the long diagonal edge and draw a parallel line every 2½ on the wrong side of the fabric piece as shown in Illustration D. Fold the marked piece right sides together to form a tube, aligning the edges and pinning the marked lines so one width of the binding extends beyond the edge on each side as shown in Illustration E. Sew the tube together and press the seam open. Cut on the marked line to make one continuous 2½ -wide bias binding strip.
As in Illustration F, fold one end of the bias strip at a 45-degree angle to create a point and press. Fold the binding strip in half lengthwise with the wrong sides together and the raw long edges aligned. Press. Place the folded binding strip on the right side of the quilt top aligning raw edges. Stitch through all layers using a ¼ -wide seam allowance. When you return to where you started, stitch the binding beyond the fold you made in the strip at the beginning about ½. Backstitch a few stitches, clip threads and cut off excess binding. Cut the batting and backing fabric even with the quilt top. Turn the binding over the quilt edge aligning the fold of the binding with the machine stitching you just finished. Pin the binding in place. Sew the binding onto the backing by hand. Sulky is a registered trademark of Sulky of America.
Template A Place on fabric fold line This is 1/2 of the template for the background. To create the entire template; 1. Cut out Templates A and B on the solid outer line. 2. Fold along the dashed line on one of the templates to turn the tab to the back. 3. Place Template A atop Template B, overlapping so that the dashed lines meet. 4. Tape the halves together.
Template B Place on fabric fold line
Heart Trace and cut 4 Outer clover Trace and cut 4 Center clover Trace and cut 1 Dashed lines are a simple straight stitch or triple-stitch done by machine. Inner hearts can be satin stitched or stitched the same as the dashed lines.
Irish Stout Beef Stew INGREDIENTS: 2 teaspoons vegetable oil 1 pound lean beef stew meat 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 small onion, chopped 2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms 6 cloves garlic, minced 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste 2 cups beef broth 1 (12 fluid ounce) Irish stout beer 4 cups sliced carrot 2 large potatoes, peeled and diced 1 tablespoon cornstarch 1 tablespoon cold water 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley Makes approximately 6 servings 1. Heat oil in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium-high heat. Coat beef cubes with flour, shaking off the excess. Fry beef cubes until browned on all sides. Remove from the pot. Add the onion, mushrooms, and garlic to the pot, and cook stirring constantly until onion is tender, about 3 minutes. 2. Return beef to the pot, and stir in tomato paste, beef broth, and beer. Add potatoes and carrots, cover, and simmer over low heat for about 1 hour. Mix together the cornstarch and cold water. Stir into the stew, and simmer until thickened. Sprinkle with parsley and serve. An Irishman's heart is nothing but his imagination. George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) Artwork 2010 Patrick Lose Pistachio Pudding Dessert CRUST: 1 stick butter 1 c. flour 1 c. chopped walnuts FILLING: 1 c. powdered sugar 1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese 1 c. Cool Whip 2 pkgs. instant pudding 3 c. milk 1. Mix butter, flour, and nuts; press into 9 x 13 inch pan. 2. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Cool. 3. Mix powdered sugar, cream cheese, and Cool Whip. Spread on cooled crust. 4. Beat together pudding mix and milk until thickened. Spread on cream cheese layer. 5. Top with a layer of Cool Whip and chopped walnuts. Refrigerate. St. Patrick's Day is an enchanted time - a day to begin transforming winter's dreams into summer's magic. Adrienne Cook Artwork 2010 Patrick Lose
Artwork 2011 Patrick Lose St. Patrick's Day is an enchanted time - a day to begin transforming winter's dreams into summer's magic. Adrienne Cook Artwork 2011 Patrick Lose An Irishman's heart is nothing but his imagination. George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950)
Never iron a four-leaf clover, because you don't want to press your luck. Artwork 2011 Patrick Lose