HOW TO MAKE EASY PLACEMATS
Back in October, I posted about the overwhelming list of UFOs I needed to work on. One of those projects was some Christmas placemats. So…here is how to make easy placemats.
These directions could easily apply to any holiday or theme you would like to make for placemats. Have fun and enjoy the process.
Supplies:
2.5″ strips of fabric to make “patchwork” front of placemat (I pulled several out of my precut box of this size strips in “Christmasy” colors).
About a half yard of outer border fabric to frame the strips.
1 yard of backing fabric
Thread to match.
Assemble those placemats:
- Choose your theme and/or color choices.
- Cut 2.5″ strips – I worked with 15 strips.
- Sew together 8 strips side by side. Set aside each as completed. Do this for the number of placemats you want (see photo below).
- Iron. Trim each placemat to 15″ x 11.25″.
- Cut border strips 2.5″ wide.
- Add borders to two of the parallel sides of each one. I did the long sides first, but you do what you like. Iron. (See photo below).
- Add borders to the remaining two parallel sides. Iron. (See photo below).
- Put the pieced top right side together with the backing. I cut the back just a bit bigger than the front. Pin the two pieces together.
- Sew together leaving about 3/4 of one side unsewn.
- Trim up the extra backing and corners to they will come out square. If the corners are not trimmed, the extra bulk will make for messy and non-square corners.
- Turn inside out. Poke the corners out (a pencil can help with this). Iron. Put a few pins in to hold corners in place. Fold the fabric at the opening in evenly front and back and pin a lot to hold in place.
- Sew 1/4″ all the way around.
- For extra stability, I just straight sewed down every other strip.
- Enjoy your new placemats!!!
My thoughts
I spent an afternoon working on these and they really were super easy.
About two years ago, I picked the fabric strips and got half of them sewn together. Then I stopped and they have been quietly waiting for me to pay attention and complete them. Well – they are complete! A UFO done and off the list!
I think that I will make a couple more placemat sets just because they were so easy and fun.
And you too can learn how to make easy placemats
The best part about these fun placemats is that they really are easy and quick. An afternoon will get you a set for yourself. Or a gift for a friend or family member. Enjoy.
Here is another idea for placemats with matching cloth napkins.
8 thoughts on “HOW TO MAKE EASY PLACEMATS”
Hey there! I’m surfing around your blog and want to say “fantastic”! Look forward to all your posts! Keep up the superb work! I subscribed so I don’t miss any new posts. Love your quilts. Tons of ideas for me to see and try out.
Thank you so much for the kind words and for subscribing. Please enjoy the ideas and try some out in your own quilts. Happy quilting.
Wow! I’m really digging the quilt theme of this site. It’s simple and effective. I must say you have done an awesome job with this. Exceptional Blog! So many quilt blogs try to sell something or are way beyond my skill level. But here there are many simple designs that are very much do-able for an inexperienced quilter. Thank you.
Glad you are finding this blog easy and useful. You are so welcome for whatever quilting info and encouragement that is here for you. Happy quilting.
Good post. I learn something new and challenging on your blog every time I visit. It’s always exciting to read through content from another author. You always have some encouraging remark or project going on. Thank you for taking time to share.
Thank you for the kind words. I enjoy sharing my projects with other quilters. Hopefully they find useful ideas for their own quilt journey. Happy quilting.
You come up with fun projects. I love how you work in your pre-cut strips in this. I have been a reader for many years, including your old quilt blog and have followed many of your suggestions.
I made a set of these in Valentine theme yesterday just like you said- in an afternoon. What fun it was!
Thanks for sharing.
It is great to see you again. Thanks for being such a long-time reader and a great person who lets me bounce all kinds of quilt ideas off you. Keep on quilting.