'Final'ly Friday Linky #2 - and a decision

So I have been obsessing over the pieces plus design for a bit if you remember.  I showed layout options as I couldn't decide how to handle the charm size pieces pluses I had made.  I finally made a decision.....

I finally decided based on reviewing the pics of the three options a few times after a bit of a break to get a fresh viewpoint.  (comments also helped - thanks).  

I used a few charms I had laying around - and some leftover "snow" Kona fabric from a previous project. Thankfully (once again) I am a perpetual over-purchaser as I had enough of this left.  

I described a bit in the last post about how I cut the charms to create the 3 pieces of each print fabric I would need.  I did the same with the Kona Snow fabric - only using yardage so I cut WOF to 2.5" and then cut (8) 2.5" squares and (4) 5" strips.

Once I was done cutting, I laid out the pieces on my work table so I could see what it looked like.  I started in the center and worked my way out in each direction until I had a size just over 21"x31" finished (with the quarter inch seams - the actual layout was more like 26"x40"ish).  

Pin and sew each row (chain piecing is your friend!!).  Sew each segment in the rows, the press seams - I pressed to one side or the other, but it shouldn't matter much on this project.  I like to sew rows together in even widths to reduce pulling and stretching - so sew two rows together, then sew a set of two to a sew of two, a set of four to a set of 4, etc....  (I pressed row seams open to reduce the bulkiness at each row)

Once all rows are sewed together, I cut down to size (using the shortest rows as a guide)

I actually have a use for this size of "top," (it is a bit smaller than the last + quilt top I made) so I pinned a piece of terry cloth to the front of the "quilt" and sewed around the edge with a 1/4" seem.  Leave an opening for turning of about 6-8".  Once done, trim corners and turn right-side out.  Press edges and turn in the opening 1/4".  Top stitch around edge to ensure it stays together.  

I added a few free-hand waves to quilt the layers together and - you now have yourself an UNBELIEVABLY useful item.  

I use mine as one of these options nearly on a daily basis: dish dryer (especially when I empty the dishwasher and am left with all that water on the top of plastics), a massive trivet for a pan, an ovenmit for large pans and such to stretch from side to side, or a table runner as my needs fit.

So that is my 'Final'ly Friday project - what's yours?

 Here are the Linky Party rules (fairly standard from my experience)

1. Link up a Recent work you have blogged about (in the last week or two)
2. Link up to (2) recent projects
3. Your projects should be crafty in nature (a DIY of some sort)
4. Somewhere in your original post you should link to SewSaneJane 

1. you could either grab the button below (on in right column) and insert directly into your post, or insert a text hyperlink (such as: I am linking up here to 'Final'ly Friday w/SewSaneJane or I am linking up here with [insert code from below grab button here in your HTML view])
5. Visit at least (2) other link-ups at some point in the week - try to formulate a relevant comment on at least (1) of those link-ups (paying it forward of sorts - if you view and comment, others will do the same of your work)

**I will have the link party open all day on Friday's for you to link-up.  Even after the linky party closes, you can still see link-ups and visit their projects.  Hope you enjoy linky parties as much as I do!  With that in mind, the grab button is off in the right column if you are interested (feel free to add to your blog and include in your posts as you see fit) and linky will be opening starting Friday 12:01am-11:59pm.  Link away (find link widget just below my signature pic)!!