Since I hosted Segment 3 in the Destination QAL, I wanted to finish up the blocks into something useful. Those 12″ blocks can pile up – I have at least a half dozen other miscellaneous blocks to do something with and so I couldn’t stand the thought of letting these lanquish, too. Placemats are a great gift and these will be fun to use. There are also placemat programs with some Meals on Wheels programs and these might be fun to give to one of those. But, I am getting a little ahead of myself, so let me continue and tell you about the easy peasy way of making/finishing placemats!
I used Electric Quilt to mockup my placemats. I liked the idea of using some of the leftover 2-1/2″ strips I had from this and other projects. Here’s what you need for one placemat (you can do the math if you are doing more – its not that hard.
Materials for one placemat that finishes at 14″ x 18″:
2 accent strips: 2-1/2″ x 12-1/2″
Border strips: 2 @ 1-1/2″ x 14-1/2″and 2 @ 1-1/2″ x 16-1/2″ (2 WOF 1-1/2″)
Backing: 18″ x 22″
Batting: 15″ x 19″
Assemble the placemat:
- Add accent strips to the left side of your block.
- The add border strips, long sides first, short sides second
- Then, assemble the layers, Top, batting, and backing.
- Quilt as desired.
Make a Self-Binding: (flatter and faster than miles of binding around placemats!)
- Select either button above for a more complete explanation of this process.
- For these placemats: trimm 1″ all the way around the placemat.
- Cut the corners, using a ruler with 45° lines intersecting, 1/4″ from the corner.
- Press the edges to the edge of the top/batting.
- Sewed the corners, folded at 1/4″
- Then sew down the binding.
I loaded mine on the longarm with a larger piece of backing. For quilting designs I chose two patterns:
the one in the accent strip is called “Zipper border” and the one on the block is called “Snail Square” in the Prostitcher library. I liked the way the zipper border design played in those accent strips. I didn’t want an intense quilting design for the block and the snail square did exactly what I needed.
I spent more time thinking about doing it than actually getting it done. The first one I quilt is always the hardest. I think these will be delightful placemats for someone. I am not sure of the destination, but that is part of the fun of making many different blocks.
The next obstacle was the weather, just too dark to take pictures (either evening or a rainy day). Finally, that was accomplished. This is also one of my goals for this quarter #Wipsbegone2021quarter2 with Leanne, The Devoted Quilter. The other one is nearly done, but a few things to rip out finesse and hopefully there will be a post before the weekend is out. Those astute readers will notice that my ferry block is not on here. My intention is to make pillows and will concentrate on that in the next quarter, when I obtain some pillow forms!
Coming Up on the Blog:
WIPS Be Gone progress
Tips and Tutorials on the 22nd – 11/22
Linking Up:
TGIFF
Finished (or Not) Friday
Favorite Finish Monthly Linkup
I can be there in a jiffy, you know. You heat up the stew and I’ll bring the bread 🙂 Big hugs to you.
Placemats are a perfect way to use up blocks; I love having a lot of quilted placemat options around for setting the table!
Perfect use for those large orphan blocks! Thanks for the info on the self binding, too – I need to give that a try.
Placemats and pillows are great options for blocks, Kathleen! 🙂
Brilliant idea, to turn them into placemats, Kathleen!!!
Kathleen, was there supposed to be a link for “self binding tutorial in this free pattern?” I would love to see that. I’m not really understanding the process from your description alone. I love the idea of using spare blocks as placemats and our chapter of the MQG does donate placemats to Friendship Trays, as the Meals On Wheels program is called here. I’m afraid I haven’t met my commitment with placemats and Reluctance To Bind Them is the malady that is preventing me from doing them! Your placemats turned out great. Thanks for linking up with me for TGIFF this week!
your photo of the table and window is so pretty and cozy both
Great way to use those blocks, Kathleen!
Super cute placemats, Kathleen!!
What a great way to use up the blocks! And the placemats are great! Can’t you just hear some comments: “I want the beach and ice cream one.” “I want the mountains.” … such fun!
Those are so cute and kind of irresistible to make. Thank you for that tutorial!
Those are adorable!! and a perfect use of those amazing blocks!
Kathleen the blocks make such beautiful placemats! You are a lifesaver because I have been looking for the self binding tutorial everywhere to finish some of my projects for the Christmas Hampers.
Oh, I like the idea of orphan blocks as placemats! These are cute and a good way to use up blocks without making a whole quilt.