Hello, friends. What’s on your kitchen table? (If you’re like me, there is usually an assortment of mail, laptops/electrical cords, and the occasional mug of half-drunk tea. Guilty!) Come dinner time, though, I clear off the mess to make room for our evening meal.
While I love table runners (to make and to use), I took note of some of the conversations I had with visitors to my booth at the League of NH Craftsmen Summer Fair in 2017: “I can’t remember how long my table is.” “I like this runner, but it might be too long.” “I like this runner, but it might be too short.” Yep, kitchen and dining tables vary in length. I’ve woven custom sized runners in excess of 14 feet to meet the specifications of a particular table. What is a weaver to do?
Last year I had a log cabin placemat design available which, incidentally, sold well:
This year I aspire to offer the log cabin design along with two summer and winter versions. Here is the latest (i.e. version 2 placemat) still on the loom:
In case you missed the other summer and winter placemat that I designed late in 2017, here is a picture:
I’m pleased with the results of the summer and winter mats because they meet the following criteria for use:
- they are machine washable (cold cycle, gentle spin)
- they are reversible
- they stay “flat” on the table, thanks to the heft of the 5/2 and 3/2 cottons
Summer and winter, like overshot, is a multi-shuttle weave which means that it is not “fast weaving,” if there is such a thing. The hemstitching, while also time-consuming, allows for the mats to be reversible. It is worth it, in my book, to get a piece that has this 2 for 1 feature.
Thanks for checking in. Feel free to weigh in on the great placemat debate! I enjoy and appreciate your comments.
Be well,
Kate K.
Kate Kilgus 