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Fat Quarter Placemat Tutorial using Quick Easy Mitered-Binding Tool

This Fat Quarter Placemat tutorial is super easy and fast to make!  Includes a bonus table runner, too!

I have an easy fat quarter placemat tutorial to share! I made these for my daughter and they were so easy to make.  I love that they are fat quarter friendly. I recently bought a set of six fat quarters and I actually used them all before they got lost in the stash!

This tutorial includes instructions to make the placemats AND a tutorial on how to use the Quick Easy Miter Binding Tool.  This is a great way to bind placemats!

This Fat Quarter Placemat tutorial is super easy and fast to make!  Includes a bonus table runner, too!

Fat Quarter Placemat tutorial

Supplies for 6 placemats

  • 6  coordinating fat quarters
  • 1 1/2 yards fabric for back and binding (or 6 fat quarters)
  • 1 1/2 yards Pellon Thermolam fleece or batting scraps.  I used batting scraps for this set of placemats, but I like the Thermolam better.  It adds more stability.
  • Quick Easy Miter Binding Tool for binding (optional) See this post for more information.
  • You can also add binding the traditional way.  Add 5/8 yard fabric for separate binding.

Step 1:  Trim all of the fat quarters to 15″ x 18″.  (Make sure to save your scraps – you should be able to have enough left over for a table runner!) Divide these (6) fabrics into three sets of 2 each.  These sets should look good together because they will become a pair of placemats.

Note:  I forgot to take pictures of each step using the same fabric set, so you will see a variety of fabric pairs along the way.

Step 2:  Stack (2) 15″ x 18″ rectangles (one set) on top of each other right sides up.  Cut 2 3/4″ on each side of rectangles as shown in this Placemat diagram.  It’s easiest to rotate the cutting mat rather than the fabric when cutting each side.

Step 3:  Peel back the layers and arrange the cut layers so that you have two placemats with opposite colors in the center and outside corners:

Step 4:  I forgot to take a picture of this step, but you’ll be sewing together the pieces in 3 sections: top row, center and bottom row.  Then sew the three sections together.  You will have a placemat that looks like this:

Repeat steps 1 – 4 for remaining sets of placemats.

Step 5.  Cut the backing fabric into 6 rectangles, 18″ x 21″ or if using fat quarters, leave as is.  Layer the backing, batting (or Thermolam) and placemat top and baste.

Fat Quarter placemat tutorial @ The Crafty Quilter

Step 6:  Quilt by stitching in the ditch along the seam lines.  I also stitched vertical rows in the center about 2″ apart.

How to use the Quick Easy Miter Binding Tool

Step 7:  Starting with this step, I will be assuming that you are using the Quick Easy Miter Binding Tool to wrap the backing fabric to the front to form the binding.  If not, you can finish your placemats with traditional binding methods.

Trim batting even with placemat top.  You can use scissors or a rotary cutter.  If you use a rotary cutter, make sure that you place a small cutting mat between the backing and batting and be careful not to cut through to the backing fabric.  (Trust me I know).  The picture below shows the rotary cutter method.

Step 8:  Trim the backing fabric 1″ away from the placemat on all four sides for a 1/2″ wide finished binding.

Step 9:  Press the edge of the backing 1/2″ over so that the raw edge of the backing fabric meets the quilted top edge.

Step 10:  You can use the instructions for the Quick Easy Mitered Binding Tool found in my previous post.  Here is a step-by-step picture of the mitering process:

Steps to use the Quick Easy Mitered Binding Tool are included in the Easy Fat quarter placemat tutorial @ The Crafty Quilter

 

Easy Fat Quarter Placemat tutorial

Here is what the back of the placemat looks like:

Back of the fat quarter placemat.

Bonus table runner idea

I had enough fabric scraps left over that I made a matching table runner too! The finished size is 15″ X 38″.

Here are my scraps and how I put them together:

Bonus table runner from the Easy Fat Quarter Placemat tutorial.

These fat quarter placemats and table runner make great housewarming gifts, wedding/shower gifts, Christmas gifts or maybe you can keep them for yourself!

This Fat Quarter Placemat tutorial is super easy and fast to make!  Includes a bonus table runner, too!

If you have some coordinating fat quarters in your stash, these easy placemats should be added to your “make list”. I know you’ll love everything about them!

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49 Comments

  1. Thank you for your tutorial. I am just starting and this looks like a good way to begin. Directions are real easy to follow and you are very generous to share. Thanks again.

  2. What is the finished size of the placemats? I see the dimensions for the runner you made with the leftover scraps but not for the placemats themselves. I think I’ll make these with my Mom and daughter for a girls project. Thanks for the beautiful idea and great instructions!

  3. Pingback: Fat Quarters
  4. I have only just started quilting and have only made a few things so far. I am really amazed at the generosity of everyone who spends so much time giving their tips on blogs. I was looking for patterns which are easy to do but look as if they involve a lot of work. This fits the bill perfectly. Someone has asked about the best way of quilting. I have looked at various books and blogs and tried several ways. I think it depends on what you are quilting. I have found it helps to sew a larger item such as a table runner section by section. For smaller items like this placemat I still think its best to try and stick to sewing the horizontal/vertical lines first. I anchor just one of the sides of the item on to the backing ( by stitching very close to the edge where the binding will cover it if you see what I mean) . Then I start sewing from that side – it just holds it in place. I read that safety pins keep the material in place but this hasn’t worked for me. I just pin it and keep the material tight as I sew. I only use decent cotton material and not poly cotton mix etc as this pulls out of shape. I use a slightly looser tension and thinnish wadding to avoid the needle jamming ,particularly if you don’t have a quilter foot. If you aren’t sure you can keep the lines straight use a neutral/beige thread (rather than white or a dark colour) so the stitching doesn’t stand out. Make sure you use thread suitable for quilting – some cheaper thread breaks and keep checking the thread is running properly as you quilt. I read somewhere that it doesn’t matter if the stitches aren’t straight as no one notices, but if you are giving it as a gift then I think it does matter! I still think its down to practice and suggest using old material to make coasters or something small to get you started. And don’t do this when you are in a rush or tired… sounds obvious but that’s when you make mistakes.

  5. Many thanks for this great idea. You are so kind to post such good directions. Always looking for quick and easy ideas for my home Christmas sale.

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  8. Thanks for the great tutorial. I made a couple of these as a wedding gift and may make a couple of others with a table runner from the scraps to add to the gift later (ran out of time to do them all). I discovered I could use the same technique to self-bind these as I did following the self-binding baby blanket. I used the tutorial from MSQC, but there are others out there. No need for folding and ironing the 1/4 inch. No need for the mitering tool either. Pin, stitch, turn, iron and topstitch.

  9. Hi Julie – imagine my surprise and how fast my heart raced when I saw the fabric you used on the cute placemats and table runner! (photo step 5 the center and 4 corners)I’ve been looking for more of the same fabric for 2 years! Unfortunately I don’t have any selvages with any copyright/designer info on them. I hope you do and can tell me who made it so I can inquire about getting more!! It’s some I used for a wedding and now I’d like to use it in a quilt. Thanks in advance, Kim

  10. These r great but I seem to be missing something – I’ve reached the step for cutting the 2 3/4″ off all sides and cannot figure out the opposite four corners. Where do they come from? Doesn’t seem to b a problem for anyone else! Maybe my brain is fried!

    1. In that step there is a link to a diagram showing where the cuts are to be done. Hope this helps. LisaD in upstate NY

  11. Thanks for this simple but very effective pattern. Made one set a while back – my first attempt at quilting and an now making another set for a Christmas present for my daughter in law. Hoping to add the table runner to this set as well. Thanks again – from France

  12. Hello!

    I don’t know if I missed it, Or if I should just now this… But what is your seam allowance when you sew the blocks together?

  13. Hi Julie

    I’m making these lovely placemats but unfortunately am having a bit of trouble when inserting the wadding. I’m not using the same wadding as yours and may be using one which is too puffy. I find that my mats are perfect in the initial stage after the piecing but seem to become distorted after the wadding is stitched on. My wadding is the kind you can’t iron with a very hot iron as it melts but I have started using it so will carry on for this project. I’m wondering with it would help if I press the sandwich before stitching just to flatten the wadding a bit, but not with a very hot iron. Does this sound like a good idea?

    I am on mat 3 now and find different ways of doing stages which I feel may improve the situation. At first I stitched right across the length and down the breadth of the mat when inserting the wadding. Now I have found it better to stitch the inner rectangle and then the four corner squares. Is there any special way to stitch or is it a personal preference? I also have difficulty with sewing the vertical lines which seem to pull the mat in but I suppose that is because the wadding is too puffy.

    Any comments and suggestions will be most welcome.

    Regards

    Jennifer

  14. Hi Julie, Love your placemats, but I am looking for some round patterns and they seem to be very hard to find.

  15. I live in Michigan & these are beautiful!I love your detailed instructions and think they are great! I never knew that you could make all those placemats & table runner with just some fat quarters (which I happen to have in my stash. I also love how you finished them instead of adding a bias tape(looks so clean & neat). I will definately be making several of these to send to my daughter in Georgia! Thanks again for all your work & for sharing it. 🙂

  16. I don’t quilt never have and never will, I simply don’t enjoy it. However, this is right up my alley and will make these gorgeous placemats. Please post more sewing patterns and pieces to create on your quilting site. I will check your site from time to time for any new ideas! Thank you again.

  17. Great placemats, just what I’ve been looking for. I love the mitered corners and the fact that you don’t need to cut and sew all that binding. I’ll definitely be trying this method. Thanks again for sharing.

  18. Perfect corners and beautiful placemats!!! I’ve pinned this one, too. Your blog is jam packed with helpful information, Julie. I sew lots of clothes, but I’ve only ever made one quilt, and, at some time in the future, I plan to do more.

  19. Very great post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that I’ve really loved surfing around your weblog posts. In any case I will be subscribing on your rss feed and I’m hoping you write again very soon!

  20. Thanks so much for the pattern! I am cutting the fabric for the back and 1 1/2 yards wasn’t enough. I came up a little over an inch short for the last two. Anyone else having this problem? I’m a newer sewer so any advice is much appreciated.

  21. My daughter-in-law recently suggested that I could make placemats using my rather large stash. I had hesitated because of all the binding. I already have the miter tool so will be trying your pattern soon.

  22. Love these Julie!! Super cute! 🙂 Placemats seem to be making a come-back right now. Yours are especially cute though. Love the scrappiness of them. It’s mix and match loveliness!

  23. Very very nice! Thanks for the tutorial especially about the back to front binding–looks pretty quick and easy with that tool. I’ve wanted some new placemats and this is a great set that looks complicated but isn’t–gotta love that 🙂 Thanks!

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