Today I have for you a tutorial for a fun Christmas (as in my case – or any holiday – or everyday!) placemat. This pattern for the placemat is a part of the Fat Quarter Shop‘s Blog Remix. They are revisiting older patterns with new ideas! This remix is for the pocketed placemat originally done by Jera Brandvig. For my placemat I chose a block from Jera’s book Quilt as You Go Made Vintage and Christmas fabric from the line Swell Christmas by Urban Chicks for Moda Fabrics.  I love the soft vintage look of this fabric!

 

For this placemat, you will need:

One 12-1/2 inch block (unfinished)

1 yard trim of your choice

Two rectangles of fabric 12-1/2 x 4-1/2 inches

One rectangle of fabric 10 x 4-1/2 for pocket, folded in half and stitched to one of the rectangles. Stitch down top – topstitch!

Backing 20-1/2 x 12-1/2

Soft and Stable or batting about 21-1/2 x 13-1/2 (slightly larger than your backing)

 

Construction

First I created the center block which is 12-1/2 inches unfinished. For the center, you can use your favorite 12-1/2 inch block! A great possibility for this placemat would be a present box block. Hmmm, may have to give that one a try! OK, that’s a squirrel for another day! LOL I chose Block 41 from Jera’s book – Quilt as You Go Made Vintage, but with a twist! Instead of the four fabrics used in the book, I used only two. Did I say that I love this fabric?!! Here is my block-ready to stitch together.

 

 

Once you stitch your block, then proceed with stitching the remainder of the placemat. Instead of lace, I decided to use wide ric-rac for my trim.

 

 

Add your trim to the right and left sides of the 12-1/2 inch center block and stitch down 1/8 inch from edge of block. Trim the ric-rac or lace even with the edges of the block. TIP: I like to use Fray Check™ or a similar product on the edges of the ric-rac after trimming. I also use it on the edges of ribbon after cutting. This helps keep it from unraveling! 

 

Now, let’s prepare the pocket!

Take the 10 x 4-1/2 inch strip of fabric and fold it in half length-wise. Press well and top-stitch folded edge. If you like, you could use one of your pretty decorative stitches on your machine!

Next, place the pocket on top of one of the 12-1/2 x 4-1/2 inch rectangles and stitch down 1/8 inch away from the right and left edges to hold it in place during the remainder of the construction.

NOTE: I apologize that I forgot to take pictures during these steps, so decided diagrams might be helpful.

 

 

 

 

Next, decide which side you want the pocket on. I placed my pocket on the right, but you may want it on the left side. Whichever you prefer is fine. Stitch one rectangle to each side, right sides together using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Open and press, pressing trim away from center block, toward sides.

 

 

Next, layer the top onto the batting and quilt as desired. I first stabilized the edges with stitching approximately 1/8 inch away from edges of placemat. Once quilted, trim excess batting. And now, we are going to birth this baby!! ? ?

Place the backing (right side down) on top of the quilted placemat (yeahhh – I remembered to get a picture of this for you!!) Using your walking foot and a 1/4 inch seam allowance, stitch the backing to the placemat around the perimeter, leaving about a 6-inch opening to turn.

 

Now turn your placemat inside out and clip the corners all around.

 

Push out the seams and corners and press well. Press the edges of the opening under 1/4 inch on each side, so they line up with the seams. Top-stitch around the placemat 3/8 to 1/4 inch from the edges. TIP: I used a little Roxanne’s Glue-Baste -It™ to hold the edges together while I top-stitched!

 

Below is my finished placemat. Now, go — make more — and enjoy them throughout the holidays – or everyday!!!

 

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