How to Make Quilted Placemats

Quilted placemats are not just practical additions to your dining table; they’re also delightful projects that let you explore your creativity with fabric.

Whether you’re a seasoned quilter or just starting out, making your own placemats allows you to personalize your dining experience and showcase your quilting skills. 

What I love is that you don’t have to commit to something BIG – like a king sized quilt. You can explore even quilting techniques when you are sewing the placemats. Quilt as you Go, String Piecing, even applique can be tried out on this size of a project.

Create beautiful quilted placemats that are both functional and stylish. These small projects are perfect for even little pieces of fabric and are great gifts (for any occasion or season).

Think Christmas fabrics, strips of fabric, scraps, holiday related fabrics.. you name it – anything goes for these easy placemat pattern.

From selecting fabrics to finishing touches, you’ll find everything you need to know to protect your dinner table from hot, cold, drips and drops from your plates. 

How to Make Quilted Placemats

Materials Needed:

• Fabric: Fat quarters or fabric pieces for the top, backing fabric, and binding strips.
• Batting: Fusible fleece or regular batting.
• Thread: Cotton thread for sewing and quilting.
• Tools: Rotary cutter, cutting mat, quilting ruler, sewing machine with walking foot, safety pins or basting spray.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Fabric Selection: Choose complementary fabrics for the top of your placemats. Consider mixing patterns and colors to create a visually appealing design.
2. Cutting: Use a rotary cutter, quilting ruler, and cutting mat to cut your fabric pieces to the desired size. Typically, placemats are around 12″ x 18″.
3. Making the Quilt Sandwich:
   • Place the backing fabric wrong side up on a flat surface.
   • Layer batting or fusible fleece on top of the backing fabric.
   • Finally, place the top fabric right side up on the batting.
4. Basting: Secure the layers together using safety pins or basting spray to prevent shifting during sewing.
5. Quilting:
   • Attach a walking foot to your sewing machine for even stitching.
   • Quilt your placemat with straight lines or free-motion quilting patterns. Start from the center and work towards the edges.
6. Trimming: Trim excess fabric and batting to create straight edges.
7. Binding: Prepare binding strips and attach them using a ¼” seam allowance around the edge of the placemat.
   • Fold the binding over to the back of the placemat and hand stitch or machine stitch in place.
8. Finishing Touches: Press the placemat to remove any wrinkles and ensure a neat finish.

Here are additional tips that may help when you are sewing your project

1. Fabric Selection:
   • Quantity: Specify how many fat quarters or fabric pieces are needed per placemat.
   • Preparation: Advise on pre-washing fabrics to prevent shrinkage later.
2. Cutting:
   • Accuracy: Emphasize the importance of precise cutting to ensure all pieces fit together neatly.
   • Orientation: Provide tips on aligning fabric patterns or directional prints if applicable.
3. Making the Quilt Sandwich:
   • Smooth Layers: Recommend smoothing out each layer to avoid wrinkles or bumps.
   • Fusible Fleece: Explain the process of fusing fleece to backing fabric, if using fusible batting.
4. Basting:
   • Technique: Detail the basting spray application method or pinning strategy for securing layers effectively.
   • Spacing: Recommend spacing pins or spray coverage to ensure even distribution.
5. Quilting:
   • Stitching Patterns: Describe different quilting patterns suitable for placemats (e.g., grid, diagonal lines, stippling).
   • Adjusting Tension: Advise on adjusting sewing machine tension for consistent stitching, like the Sashiko stitch on your sewing machine.
6. Trimming:
   • Tools: List the tools needed for trimming (rotary cutter, ruler) and emphasize safety precautions.
   • Straight Edges: Stress the importance of straight cuts to maintain placemat shape.
7. Binding:
   • Bias vs. Straight Grain: Explain the difference and recommend using bias binding for smoother edges.
   • Miters: Provide instructions or visuals on creating neat mitered corners.
8. Finishing Touches:
   • Pressing: Guide on proper pressing techniques to ensure a professional finish.
   • Inspection: Encourage inspecting the placemat for any loose threads or imperfections before final use.

When making quilted placemats, the type of fabric you choose can greatly impact both the aesthetic and functional qualities of the final product.

Here are some considerations for fabric choices:

1. Cotton Fabric: This is the most common choice for quilting due to its durability, ease of sewing, and wide range of prints and solids available. Cotton fabrics are ideal for placemats as they are easy to care for and provide a good surface for quilting.
2. Precuts (Charm Packs, Jelly Rolls, Layer Cakes): Precuts can be excellent choices for making quilted placemats, especially if you want a coordinated look without much cutting. Charm packs (5″ squares), jelly rolls (2.5″ strips), and layer cakes (10″ squares) provide a variety of fabrics that can be mixed and matched creatively.
3. Scraps: Using scraps of fabric is a great way to create unique and scrappy placemats. Scraps can vary in size, so they might need more piecing, but they can add character and variety to your projects.
4. Fat Quarters: Fat quarters are versatile and convenient for making placemats. They typically measure approximately 18″ x 22″ and are large enough to use for both the front and back of a placemat, or combined with other fabrics for variety.

When selecting fabric for quilted placemats, consider the following:

• Washability: Choose your piece of fabric that can be easily washed, as the finished placemat or even a table runner are likely to get dirty during use.
• Durability: Ensure the fabric is durable enough to withstand regular use and washing.
• Color and Pattern: Select colors and patterns that complement your dining decor and personal style.

Ultimately, the choice between precuts, scraps, or fat quarters depends on your preference for ease of preparation versus creativity in fabric selection.

All three options can yield beautiful and functional quilted placemats when chosen and combined thoughtfully.

Making quilted placemats is a rewarding and straightforward project that yields beautiful results.

Whether you’re crafting a set for yourself or as gifts for loved ones, the process of selecting fabrics, quilting, and binding will allow you to explore your creativity while adding a personal touch to your dining experience.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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More Quilting Resources

“How to Use a Rotary Cutter: Tips & Techniques” https://www.patchworkposse.com/rotary-cutter/

“Quilting for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide” https://www.patchworkposse.com/quilting-for-beginners/

“Choosing the Right Quilting Thread: A Guide” https://www.patchworkposse.com/13-quilting-basics-for-beginners/

“Easy Quilt Binding Tutorial: Step-by-Step Instructions” https://www.patchworkposse.com/how-to-make-a-quilt-start-to-finish/

“Free Motion Quilting for Beginners: Tips and Techniques” https://www.patchworkposse.com/machine-quilting-guide-for-beginners/

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