Quilted Table Runner and Placemats Inspired by AI

 

I have 1 yard fabric leftover from my fabric shop. Just for fun I put the fabric photo on Gemini and asked to create table runner for inspiration. It came up with the above photo. I was so inspired that I decided to create a table runner and a set of placemat based on the photo.  The fabric width was 44 inch and for 1 yard I can easily make 1 table runner and 2 placemats. There is a little bit left, so maybe I can whip up a few mug rugs or coasters. 

Red Quilted Table Runner

Block Printed Table Runner

I am still amazed how fast AI can edit the photos for you esp. for lifestyle photo. I did some reading and apparently Etsy and other social media platform are encouraging the user to use the help of AI. Frankly, that's really helpful, esp.  for me who's doing everything by myself. It helps me to create a lifestyle photo so that the prospective buyers can visualize how it looks when certain products are used or worn. 

Block Printed Placemat

Which AI agents to use? My favorite is Gemini. So far the result is great. ChatGPT is also good and also Copilot. 

While Gemini and ChatGPT will create photo immediately based on the prompt you give, CoPilot will ask you questions to fine tuning the result. Like what sort of lighting, vibe, set up, etc. The best part is, once you train them enough, next time you only have to give short prompt and they'll do the job! 

For now I noticed that after several prompt, they will create a little bit "nonsense" photos hahaha. Well the technology is still evolving. A few months ago when I tried to create lifestyle photo, they could not even get the photo correct. Now, most of the result are using my own photo and it will make it better by adding suitable background. 

Dinner for two

Here's another lifestyles photo edited by AI

Colorful Quilted Runner

And some more inspiration from the block print fabrics in my shop: 

Red Fabrics from HERE

Red Floral Fabrics from HERE

Black and White Fabric from HERE

Some people are still hesitant about AI, but when used well, it can genuinely support our creative work. As sewists and quilters, we all know the struggle of trying to picture how a fabric will look in a project. With AI, you can upload your fabric photos and get a clear visual mockup in seconds.

Fabric bundle from HERE

Tie Dye Fabrics from HERE

Baby quilt fabric from HERE

In the end, AI isn’t here to replace our creativity—it’s here to support it. When we use it thoughtfully, it becomes another tool in our sewing room, helping us visualize ideas faster and make more confident design choices. It’s simply one more way to bring our projects to life with clarity and joy. 

Thank you for stopping by today,

Have a nice day!

Elvira

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Placemats and New Books

 

Patchwork Placemats

I made more placemats! Not really make a dent in my mini charms bin but I'm pretty happy with how these placemats turned out. Mini charm is my most fave pre-cut and t is also my mood booster. When I don't feel like sewing anything, I just open the mini charms bins and start piecing. 

As I started piecing, all sorts of ideas come into my mind but I decided to make a couple of placemats.  The placemats finished at approximately 12 x 15 inches each. The pink ones are slightly smaller. 

I thought of making all charms for the top, like this one, but decided to make it differently. So I added borders on both sides. For the mustard yellow placemats, I used Indian block print fabric for the patchwork and handloom cotton for the borders. On the back, I used pretty paisley print glace cotton in a matching color and quilted diagonally. It turned out very soft! 

Mustard Yellow Placemats

As for the pink placemats, the fabrics are mostly leftover from wallet and bag projects. I used cotton poplin for the borders and the backing. As usual, black and white striped binding when I could not decide what binding to use. 

I love to use these placemats as a center table mat too or to put in my side tables. My MIL used in her dressing tables. They do make the room brighter and I always love to see the quilts being used. 

Pink Patchwork Placemats

Patchwork Placemats

OK, let's talk about quilting lines. My fave of course is serpentine but sometimes I am just too lazy to set up my HV machine! I always end up using my Jack machine and doing either grid, diagonal, or organic wavy lines. Hmm, it's time to read WALK - Walking foot quilting book by Jacquie Gering again! 

OK, I admit the downside of the digital era is even if you have the books, you  I still first go to Pinterest or Google. 

Recently I bought 2 books! First is Raina Gillman's Create Your Own Improv Quilt which I bought after watching her video on Youtube.  And I am glad I bought it cos there are a lot of basic things to learn from the book. 

The second one is Kaffe Fassett and Liza Prior Lucy's  Shot and Stripes. Well, the book is packed with knowledge. I decided to buy it because I love working with shot cotton fabrics (even though not the Kaffe Fassett brand).

 Sometimes, we see the preview on Amazon and the quilt looks simple and then think "I can do that too" but actually there are a lot of small important details (at least to me)  in the book. However, there are many books that have a preview of attractive projects but very little "educational" information, and some even do not have "proper" tutorials. I feel like this kind of book is only for visual pleasure, which we can freely get from Pinterest or Instagram. What do you think? 

But I still love buying books, especially Japanese Craft or Quilt Books. They have detailed diagrams (which I personally prefer), full-scale patterns, and also additional step-by-step photos. And of course the visuals!

What about you? Do you love buying craft books? Let me know in the comment below! 

Thank you for stopping by!

Happy Sewing

Elvira

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More scrappy placemats

Small Table Mats

Last week I finished a few small placemats using scraps from my wallet and face mask making. It's fun to pull up scraps cut them into workable pieces. That totally my mood booster activity. Even though these placemats don't really make a dent into my ever-growing scraps, but I am happy to make them into something. I mean, we don't want to waste those pretty prints, right? 

For these medium-size placemats, I cut the patchwork pieces into 3.5" square. My fave is 2.5" but I kinda love this size too. I have a bunch of 3.5" squares cut and will make another set of placemats when  I have time. 

I'm using this yellow dot with golden print cotton fabric on the back and you can easily make these placemats a reversible one, right?  Hand sewn binding is always my personal favorite. For smaller quilts, I like to cut the binding at 1.5" wide, because I found 2.25" wide is too heavy for small quilts. Each placemats measures about 9.5" H x 12" W.

Another set I made was this green small placemat. I am still using the Camo Blenders fabric I got from the Squareinch last time. I posted the pink version of these placemats in my previous post.  On the back, I use a cute chicken print cotton fabric. Making small quilts like these are addictive. So stay tuned for more :)

Green Small Placemats

These small mats size is 8" H x 10" H (20cm x 23 cm) and it's just a perfect size to place a bowl of ramyeon while watching my drama. Or for my son's cereal while he's on zoom class. 

I used my scallop ruler to draw the quilting lines and quilt them on my Jack machine. For the small quilts, this hack works well and I like the result. 

 

Scrappy Medium Placemats

Scrappy Drawstring Bag

I have a few scrappy tops done and waiting to be made into something. As you know, I love making simple things, something useful and giftable, just like the drawstring bag above. It's my fave bag to keep essentials like an extra facemask, wet tissue, and hand sanitizer while going out.

I hope I will have time to play with my scraps next week. What about you? What are your fave scrap projects to make?

Until next time,

have a nice day!

Elvira

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