I had a lot of fun with this improv project. I used some LOVELY fabrics from Michael Miller to bring my Here’s Your Sign Cows back to life in a new way. I released the pattern nearly 4 years ago, but I was feeling like they would really help this fabric shine.

I started by printing the template for the Cow Pattern at 100% and then also at 50%. I wanted the large cows for the table runner and the small cows for the placemats.

Using the instructions on the pattern, I traced my cows onto the fusible and then fused them to the back of the fabrics.

Then, my friend Charlotte, at Quilt Camp, cut them all out for me. We had a wonderful time chatting and talking about all the ways we could make the cows holiday festive.

Cutting Out My Squares & Rectangles

I made each of the squares 10.25”. I cut 5 squares for the table runner and sewed them end to end to make the long piece.

For my placemats, I cut out rectangles that measured 18.5” x 14.5” each.

Dressing Up My Cows

Charlotte and I spent some time deciding what “costumes” to give the cows. Ultimately, we decided that three of the cows would have something. We went with a traditional Santa hat, cow bell, and my favorite - and Charlotte’s idea, a cow bell with little Santa Booties! I mean seriously, aren’t they the cutest?

We didn’t have a pattern for the “costumes.” We really just used the scrap-fused fabrics from the cows and started sketching and cutting.

Quilting

Once we got all the cow’s costumes on, per the directions in the pattern we began fusing down all the cows in the right spots. Then it was time to quilt. I chose to quilt straight lines on this project instead of going around and around the cows as the pattern calls for. For my backing fabric, I used the cut Three Wise Santas.

Binding

I decided, instead of turning the placemats and table runner, I would bind them like a quilt. I used the corresponding fabric to make 2.25” binding strips. I added binding around each placemat and the table runner.

After I finished the binding, I made napkins. I wanted “formal dinner napkins size” even though there is nothing formal about the Jittery Wings family. I cut squares from the super fun Ginger Bread Treats Fabric.

Setting the Table

The final step was to set the table for our first holiday guests. How fun to have company over this holiday season! We can’t wait to all be together again, plus, I never decorate my table. I felt so sophisticated and festive! Great way to get into the holiday spirit for sure!