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Tuesday 23 September 2008

Christmas (on a Shoe String) Placemats

Here's another quick and easy (not to mention frugal) idea for what to do with your scraps. These placemats work up really quickly, and have little cost involved. You will wow your friends with these!
Finished Size: 18-1/2" x 12" (46.25cm x 30 cm)
Finished Block Size: 6" (15cm) square
Fabric Required: Made from scraps and leftover strips of fabric. If purchasing new fabric, approximately 1.5m (about 1-1/2 yards) in total is required for a set of 4 placemats. Fabric strips should be cut in varying widths from 1" to 2-1/2".
.5m (1/2 yard) for end strips
.6m (5/8 yard) thin batting (cotton works well)
.6 m (5/8 yard) backing
.5m (1/2 yard) fabric to make straight grain, 2" wide binding
Foundation material (phone book or thin paper)
Directions:
As you will see, I am using last year's Aliant phone book for this project. Tear out 4 pages/placemat and cut them into 6-3/4" squares. Lay your first strip of fabric right side up diagonally across the paper, near the centre. Place second strip right sides together with this strip. Sew along the length, and flip to right side. Press. Continue adding strips in this manner, using random widths and colours, until foundation is covered. Trim block to 6-1/2" square. Your blocks will look something like this:
Or this:
Gently tear away paper foundation from back of blocks. Place blocks together in 2 rows of 2 blocks and stitch. Press seams to one side.
Cut 2 pieces end border fabric each 3-1/2" x 12-1/2". Sew one to each side of placemat; press seams away from placemat. Layer top, batting and backing. Pin baste and machine quilt as desired. Trim edges even; bind §

And that's all there is to it. Now...go make 3 more to match this. Don't forget to send me pictures of your finished placemats!

4 comments:

  1. Gee great idea I never thought of saving the 'phone book for use like this. PS I love the placemats too, thanks for the tutorial.
    Jane

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  2. Karen, I just found your web site. I am looking forward to making the placemats and the taco dip. Your site is wonderful and I'll check back often. Thanks. Phyllis

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  3. Thank you so much for the sharing a great way to use up all the Christmas scraps!

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