My quilt guilds often make placemats to donate to the Meals On Wheels program which delivers freshly made meals to folks in their homes that may need that extra bit of help. I think it is a wonderful program and just think how happy those folks are to see the smiling face of the volunteer delivering that meal especially now when everyone is so isolated. And also the happiness of a bright and cheerful placemat to line their tray and add that personal touch that says someone is thinking of me. Sometimes these placemats are holiday themed and other times they are just a fun collection of fabrics meant to add some brightness to the day.
Here is a version I like to make as it is quick and pretty! It also helps me use a bit of my scrap pile. Actually, it doesn't even put a dent in it but it gives me joy to think it does as well as to make them. 😂
Need to gather our materials. You will need some 2" strips of fabric in various colors. You can use variable widths but we'll save those for another project I will show you. I used batting scraps leftover from quilts, the trim offs after they are quilted. Also some backing fabric. Keep in mind that in quilt as you go (QAYG) your bobbin thread will show on the back so make sure it works with your backing fabric.
(1) fabric backing piece cut 14 1/2" x 19 1/2"
(1) batting piece 14 1/2" x 19 1/2"
(5) or (6) strips of fabric 2" x WOF or enough pieces to make the equivalent
(2) strips 2" or 2 1/4" wide x WOF for the binding
(1) 6" x 6" focus block for the center
Smooth out your batting piece and find the center. Draw a vertical and a horizontal line though this point with a marking pen. I used a blue water soluble pen but a Frixion would work fine as we won't need the lines after the center is placed. Place your backing fabric wrong side up on a flat surface. Center the batting piece with the lines facing up on it.
Center your 6" x 6" focus fabric on the batting lining up each point on the drawn lines until the piece is centered. Place a pin or two near the center just to hold it in place.
Lay your first strip right sides together (RST) along one edge of the focus fabric making sure one corner is squared up. Stitch along the edge using a 1/4" seam allowance. Stop at the edge of the focus square. Take your scissors and trim off the excess even with the center square. Press the strip open. I finger pressed as I went to save time or use an iron if convenient.
Place your strip on the opposite side from where you just finished sewing and sew 1/4" from that edge, stopping at the end of the focus block and trimming the excess. Press open.
Next place a strip on one of the sides not yet sewn and repeat the steps (sew, trim, press open). Trim and repeat for the last side.
Continue working your way around placing the strips on opposite sides, sewing and trimming.
As you get closer to the edges of the placemat, the strips will be shorter and cut off at the edge of the batting.
Once all the strips cover the batting, your placemat should look something like this.
We will now trim down the placemat to it's final size, 14" x 19". Place a ruler that is at least 7" wide on the placemat, lining up the 7" line through the horizontal points on the center focus block. Trim off the excess. Flip the ruler and do the bottom the same way. The height of the placemat should now be 14".
Now trim the width to 19". Place a ruler at least 10" wide on the placemat lining it up the 9 1/2" line to the top and bottom points on the center focus block. Trim off the excess and repeat for the other side.
Your front and back should now look like this. Trim any loose threads off of the back that may have been left behind.
Make a double fold binding and sew to the back of the placemat. Be sure to leave a 3" tail not sewn down on each end of the binding and cut on the diagonal. Fold under about 1/4" on the edge of one of the ends. Tuck the unfolded raw end inside the one folded over and refold the binding neatly. Align to the edge of the placemat, make sure it is nice and tight and finish stitching down. Fold the binding to the front and secure with wonder clips. Fold your corners into nice neat miters and hold in place with a clip. Now top stitch the binding in place.
Thanks for sewing along with me! Would love to see what you create. Post it on the
Dragonfly Show and Share on Facebook.
Happy Sewing
Sue
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