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Thursday throwback – Quick and easy placemat tutorial

This month’s Thursday Throwback is the Quick and Easy Placemat Tutorial from June of 2012!  Because of the recent growth in blog followers, I’m highlighting some older content that is definitely worth a second look.

Quick and Easy Placemat Tutorial by Julie Cefalu @ The Crafty Quilter. A great way to make placemats using just 6 fat quarters!
Quick and Easy Placemat Tutorial @ The Crafty Quilter

 

So here we are, six years later and this is still a great method to make placemats quickly and easily.  I made a second set of four placemats using some wine-themed fabric and we use these on our coffee table frequently.  I’m actually missing one of them, so you only see three in the photo below.

Quick and Easy Placemat Tutorial by Julie Cefalu @ The Crafty Quilter. A great way to make placemats using just 6 fat quarters!

 

Quick and Easy Placemat Tutorial

I originally made these placemats for my daughter and they were so easy to make.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!

If you have a stash of fat quarters, now is your chance to pull them out and get sewing!

Let me share the “how to” with you.

For six placemats, you will need:

  • 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 and Easy Mitered 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.

Quick and Easy Placemat Tutorial by Julie Cefalu @ The Crafty Quilter. A great way to make placemats using just 6 fat quarters!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:

Quick and Easy Placemat Tutorial by Julie Cefalu @ The Crafty Quilter. A great way to make placemats using just 6 fat quarters!

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:

Quick and Easy Placemat Tutorial by Julie Cefalu @ The Crafty Quilter. A great way to make placemats using just 6 fat quarters!

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.

Quick and Easy Placemat Tutorial by Julie Cefalu @ The Crafty Quilter. A great way to make placemats using just 6 fat quarters!

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

Step 7:  Starting with this step, I will be assuming that you are using the Quick and Easy Mitered 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.

Quick and Easy Placemat Tutorial by Julie Cefalu @ The Crafty Quilter. A great way to make placemats using just 6 fat quarters!

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

Quick and Easy Placemat Tutorial by Julie Cefalu @ The Crafty Quilter. A great way to make placemats using just 6 fat quarters!

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.

Quick and Easy Placemat Tutorial by Julie Cefalu @ The Crafty Quilter. A great way to make placemats using just 6 fat quarters!

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:

Quick and Easy Placemat Tutorial by Julie Cefalu @ The Crafty Quilter. A great way to make placemats using just 6 fat quarters!

Here is what the back looks like:

Quick and Easy Placemat Tutorial by Julie Cefalu @ The Crafty Quilter. A great way to make placemats using just 6 fat quarters!Quick and Easy Placemat Tutorial by Julie Cefalu @ The Crafty Quilter. A great way to make placemats using just 6 fat quarters!

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:

Quick and Easy Placemat Tutorial by Julie Cefalu @ The Crafty Quilter. A great way to make placemats using just 6 fat quarters!

These make great housewarming gifts, wedding/shower gifts, Christmas gifts or maybe you can keep them for yourself!

Quick and Easy Placemat Tutorial by Julie Cefalu @ The Crafty Quilter. A great way to make placemats using just 6 fat quarters!

Quick and Easy Placemat Tutorial by Julie Cefalu @ The Crafty Quilter. A great way to make placemats using just 6 fat quarters!

Now that I’ve revisited these placemats, I think I’ll have to make another set!  I definitely have some fat quarters that would be perfect.  I have a feeling you probably do, too.  Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!

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13 Comments

  1. i remember these placemats! 🙂 My daughter wants me to make her some and i was looking at “simple” and quick versions since they are for a college student. I had bought some of the Annie’s Soft & Stable to try but will look at Joans for the Thermolam (and have a coupon!). and the table runner is perfect for when the placemats are not in use! I’m going to have to check my fabric stash to see what i can whip up. THANKS for the reminder 🙂 (PS–I ALWAYS refer back to your archives when seeking project ideas 🙂 )

  2. Julie – gorgeous and fun material for the placements. They look beautiful on the table. I’d like to make them for my table , too. Happy, joyous colors. Upbeat and uplifting.

  3. These are perfect for a price of fabric that I have sitting here! Thank you for sharing your pattern.

  4. Nice tutorial. Am a newbie to your blog, so missed the 2012 version. I love how simple these are. The bonus table runner, using the residual scraps from the mat “makings” is a genius idea!

  5. I have been quilting for 45 years and I’m still learning . You have taught me so much the placemats are just the next best thing since sliced bread .you do beautiful work I just can’t wait for what you have next keep up the good work for me it’s play good luck to you and your new grandchild

  6. I have made these placemats long ago with special floral fabrics I bought during our trip to Germany. Love them so much. Thank you for posting this again because I’m making more sets. They are wonderful and wash up well! I’m also thinking that they would make wonderful Christmas gifts for my friends

  7. As I am new to your blog, I appreciate this repost. Now I have one Christmas gift idea! Julie, you are such a great teacher and I enjoy all your tutorials. Wish I lived in California so I could take one of your classes.

  8. Yes, they are worth posting again, love the bright colors…Am visiting Missouri Star Quilting Co. tomorrow and going to find me some fat quarters…If I see Jenny, i’ll send your regards…lol…Peace and love in quilting…

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