A placemat can be any size but the most common sizes are 18" X 14", 18" X 16" and 16" X 14". If you don't know what size would be pleasing and what would fit for your table and place setting, I suggest you cut up a newspaper page to the three sizes above and try them on your table to see what you like. Once you decide your finished size, add 1" to the width and the length dimensions. This will give you 1/2" seam allowances around all four sides. Cut out two rectangles for each placemat and one batting piece. Put the placemats right sides together. Then pin the batting to one of the wrong sides. All three will be sewn together.
Before sewing, first mark your corner pivot points by measuring in 1/2" from the corner and make a pencil mark. This will help you pivot exactly at the corner.
Start sewing on one of the sides, because beginning at the corner is difficult to finish off.
After sewing around all four sides, stop stitching within five inches of your beginning seam. This will be your opening for turning right side out.
Time to trim your corners to remove bulk.
Also trim the batting to the stitching line to remove bulk.
You can use regular sewing shears, but using applique scissors makes it very easy.
Before turning right side out, prep your seams by pressing one of the seam allowances open. This will make pressing on the right side much easier.
Now turn the placemat right side out and push/pull out the corners as best you can. Using this white turning tool inside the corners can help nudge out the corners.
Make all four corners look the same.
Here is an easy tip to pull out the corners without damaging the fabric or seam. Thread a needle with double thread. Insert the needle into the fabric corner.
Now pull on the four threads to gently nudge the fabric out of the corner. I love this method. You can continue to repeat until all the fabric in the corner has been pulled out.
Now press your seams flat, making sure that your seams have rolled out to the very edge and there are no tucks of fabric.
Once you have pressed with the steam iron, use the wood clapper tool to get a crisp edge. This is my favorite pressing tool.
Before hand sewing your opening closed, baste stitch the batting to one of the fabric layers. This will keep the batting from slipping down into the place mat.
Pin the opening closed and slipstitch with hand needle.
You may now topstitch around the edge of the place mat, machine quilt the layers using the walking foot below, or do free motion quilting with the quilting foot.
I chose to machine quilt in the middle of each wide stripe, from one end to the other. Since I have the same stripe on each side, I was careful to pin through the fabric to line up the stripes.
Here is the finished product. Have fun!
SEW * * * CREATE * * * LIVE
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