Five Ways to Use A Placemat Panel
For a full tutorial, click here or click on the image above.
Have you seen these amazing placemat panels? Riley Blake makes them and oh my goodness! They are so cute! There is one for each month AND there are coordinating prints for each month, too! Click HERE to see more of them. You can also see them on Riley Blake’s website by clicking HERE.
Placemats are wonderful, and homemade ones are even better. They are cost-effective, make a table look pretty, and are fun to make. These monthly panels make it even easier! But what else can you make from these panels?
Although there are so many options—quilt blocks, full quilts, pillows, wall hangings, tote bags—so many ideas!
Before we start talking about the projects, here are a few general tips for working with these placemat panels:
Starch Is Your Best Friend: Press and starch the full panel first, before doing anything with it. I like to spray starch on it the day before and let it dry completely. Most fabric panels available now are digitally printed and they aren’t always printed straight. This is something to keep in mind when planning your projects. You can’t be too married to the sizes. Using starch will help a lot when squaring the panel up. More on that later!
Have A Plan: Before cutting the panels apart, have a plan. There are many ways to approach this, and it really depends on what you are going to do with the panel. For example, if I were making all quilted placemats out of a panel, I would layer and sandwich the entire panel and then quilt the entire thing. After quilting, I would cut it up and and make placemats that way. However, since we aren’t doing this here, I made a plan for what placemats are going in which projects. I like to jot it down so I can remember. It also allows me to make a plan for the projects, take some notes, etc.
Coordinating Fabrics: Consider buying the matching fabrics. Sure, you can use what you have in your stash. That will work, too. But these fabrics! OHHH! They pair so well with these projects and take the guess-work out of it. If you want to your stash, however, look for colors or prints that work well with the panel.
To Prewash or Not: If making placemats that you are planning on using, prewash, prewash, prewash. If you know these will get dirty, it is a good idea to prewash all of the components you are going to use before making the placemats. However, if you are going to use them for decorative purposes only or if you don’t mind that crinkled look quilted items get after being washed and dried, go ahead and skip this step.
Have fun! Panels are so much fun to work with! Let your imagination go wild with these!
Project 1: Pillows
These placemat panels make wonderful pillows for your home, for gifts, or to sell. They are quick, easy, and are super cute. The best part? You can use them in a pillow cover and change them seasonally. That is what I like to do with these. So many options!
Pillow Supply List:
Please note: The amount of fabric and batting needed depends on the size of the panel section being used.)
Placemat Panel Rectangle
Batting
Backing fabric for the Pillow Front
Pillow Backing Fabric (if making an envelope backing, check out my blog on the measurements HERE. )
Poly-fil (or other stuffing) or Pillow Insert (see my video/blog on how to make your own HERE, if interested.)
Coordinating Thread for Quilting
Matching Thread for Assembling the Pillow
Sharp scissors
Marking tool
Optional: Elmer’s School Glue
General Sewing Supplies: Rotary cutter, mat, pressing surface, ruler, working sewing machine, etc.
Step 1: Picking A Placemat
There are so many choices that it is hard to pick, isn’t it? Personally, I love the ones with the sayings on them, like the February placemat that says, “Loves Blooms Here,” or the March one that reads, “In this house, we create our own luck,” but any will work well for this.
Step 2: Cutting the Placemat Panel Apart
I like to roughly cut the components apart, especially on this placemat panel. Tara Reed, the designer of these particular placemat panels, did a great job on the overall design, giving makers a lot of room to make decisions about the sizes, how to cut into the panel, if needed (see the wallhanging project), and provide a lot of opportunity to leave margins for quilting.
Tip: When cutting the placemat panels into sections, use scissors instead of a rotary cutter. Scissors are going to give you a bit more control (in my opinion) and limit the chances of a slip/wrong cut.
Step 3: Sandwiching the Pillow Top
Sandwich the pillow top, batting, backing (not that back of the pillow—we will talk about the back of the pillow in Step 4) fabric by placing the backing fabric right-side down on a flat surface, place the batting on top of the backing, and then add the placemat rectangle on top with the right-side up.
Step 4: Quilting the Pillow Top
After this sandwich is quilted, now is the time to trim up the placemat panel/pillow front. To do this, line up your ruler on something in the panel that is straight. Do not use the borders of the placemat to determine this! They are not straight. Next, making sure things are lined up and centered, trim down the quilted pillow top to the desired size. Personally, I like to cut it down to about 11” x 17.5”, but this is completely up to you. If you would like to see a demonstration of this, it is in my video. Click here to see it.
Once you have the pillow top completed, you can finish this as desired. Here are a few options, in case you are stuck for an idea:
Envelope Fold Backing: I have a video and a blog on this technique! You can find the blog here and the video here. It is super easy to do and a wonderful way to be able to change out the pillow covers. I also have a video and a blog on how to make a custom pillow form insert. You can find the blog here and the video here.
Regular Sewn Backing: For this, simply cut a backing piece of fabric the same size as your quilted pillow top. Place the quilted pillow top right-side up on a flat surface. Next, place the pillow backing fabric on top of the quilted pillow top, pretty sides together. Clip or pin and sew around the perimeter, leaving an opening of a few inches, making sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of the opening. After sewing, press well, and clip corners to reduce bulk. Turn pillow right-side out and push out the corners. Press. Stuff the pillow and stitch up the opening.
Project 2: Wall Hanging
These panels also make great mini quilted wall hangings. Again, these would be perfect as a gift or for yourself or to sell!
Mini Wall Hanging Supply List:
Please note: The amount of fabric and batting needed depends on the size of the panel section being used.
One Placemat Panel
Batting
Backing
Binding
Matching Thread
Coordinating Thread for Quilting
Marking Tool
Optional: Elmer’s School Glue
General Sewing Supplies: Rotary cutter, mat, pressing surface, ruler, working sewing machine, etc.
Step 1: Pick Panel for Mini Quilt
Okay, this is a bit trickier than the others, especially if you want to make a small-ish mini quilt. You need to look at the panel differently, as you are going to cut it down to a much smaller size. Ask yourself these questions: Which panel would look best smaller? Are there words that need to be considered? Once you have the placemat you want to use, it is time to start making the project.
Step 2: Trim Panel
Trim panel section to the size you’d like, making sure to leave a bit extra for squaring it up and for the shifting that may occur during quilting.
Step 3: Sandwich and Quilt Panel
The size of the mini quilt panel will determine the sizes of the batting and backing. I like the batting to be at least an inch bigger than the panel. and the backing to be at least an inch bigger than the batting. For example, if the panel section is 12” x 12”, I would cut the batting to at least 13” x 13” and the backing fabric to at least 14” x 14”. Once you have your pieces ready, it is time to sandwich the mini quilt. To do this, place the backing fabric pretty side down on a flat surface. Next, layer the batting piece on top of the backing. Finally, place the panel piece on top of the batting, pretty side facing up. Baste and quilt as desired.
Step 4: Trim and Finish
Once you have the mini quilt quilted, trim down the quilt to the desired size. Add the hanging sleeve (if desired) and bind with your favorite method. Enjoy!
Project 3: Faux-Binding Placemat
Have you ever wondered how to make a quilt or other project that looks like it has a binding but doesn’t? This is the technique for you! Let’s get started!
Faux Binding Placemat Supply List:
Please note: The amount of fabric and batting needed depends on the size of the panel section being used.
One Placemat Panel
Borders (will become faux binding)
(2) 1.25” x width of panel
(2) 1.25” x length of panel + 2”
Backing (match the borders for best faux binding look)
Batting
Matching Thread
Coordinating Thread for Quilting and Top Stitching
Marking Tool
Optional: Elmer’s School Glue
General Sewing Supplies: Rotary cutter, mat, pressing surface, ruler, working sewing machine, etc.
Step 1: Preparing Placemat Top
Square up the placemat top to the desired size. Next, sew 1.25” borders to all four sides of the placemat, starting on the right and left sides and then the top and bottom. Press all seams toward the borders.
Step 2: Sandwich & Quilt
Place the batting on a flat surface. Next, place the placemat on top of the batting. Quilt as desired. NOTE: Do not add the backing to this sandwich! We will add that in the next step.
Step 3: Trimming & Finishing
Once the top is quilted, trim down the unit so the borders are 3/4”. This will be your faux binding. Cut the backing fabric to the same size as the placemat top. Tip: To make the faux binding look even better, use the same fabric for the back that was used in for the borders on the front. Next, place the backing fabric on top of the panel/batting unit, right sides together. Clip and sew all the way around the perimeter of the placemat, leaving an opening for turning. I like to leave this opening in the bottom right area where it is least noticeable.
Trim seams and clip the corners. Turn the placemat right-side out, push out the corners and press well. Next, stitch in the ditch along the borders. This will give you a binding look without doing the binding. Yay!
Project 4: Flat Placemat
I love placemats, but I am also picky about them. I want them to be flat because I hate when dishes are all wobbly on the placemat. Soooo, let’s make a flat one! This is a great way to make a placemat! Super easy, too!
Flat Placemat Supply List
Please note: The amount of fabric and batting needed depends on the size of the panel section being used.
One Placemat Panel
Lightweight Fusible Fleece
Backing
Matching Thread
Coordinating Thread for Top Stitching
Marking Tool
Optional: Glue
General Sewing Supplies: Rotary cutter, mat, pressing surface, ruler, working sewing machine, etc.
Step 1: Preparing Panel Front
With the placemat panel section slightly oversize (still roughly cut out), fuse the fleece to the placemat panel back, following the manufacture’s instructions. Next, trim down the placemat unit to the desired size.
Step 2: Add Back
Once the placemat top is cut to the desired size, cut the backing fabric to the same size. Place the placemat/fleece unit face up on a flat service. Lay the backing fabric right-side (printed side) down on top of the placemat/fleece unit. Pin or clip around the edges. Stitch around the edges using .25” seam allowance and leaving an opening for turning, making sure to backstitch at the beginning and end.
Step 3: Finish Flat Placemat
Trim all edges and corners except for the opening. Turn right-side out and press really well, making sure to press the opening edges in. Hand stitch or machine stitch this area closed, if desired. Top-stitch about 1/8” in from the outer edge of the placemat. Optional: Mark and stitch a rectangle an inch or two (depending on the design on the panel) in from the edges, giving it a finished look. Press well.
Project 5: Table Runner
For a table runner, you will need two placemat panels and a center fabric panel. This is a great way to use these placemat panels and would make a wonderful set to give as a gift. Let’s get started!
Table Runner Supply List:
Please note: The amount of fabric and batting needed depends on the size of the panel section being used.
Two Placemat Panel Rectangles (matching in size)
Coordinating Fabric for Center (determined by the length of table runner you would like to make.)
Batting
Backing
Binding
Matching Thread (piecing middle and binding)
Coordinating Thread for Quilting
Helpful: Long ruler
Marking Pencil
General Sewing Supplies: Rotary cutter, mat, pressing surface, ruler, working sewing machine, etc.
Step 1: Pick Placemat Panels
Let’s pick the panels to use for the ends of the placemat. You can use any you’d like, of course. Personally, I like to pick two that go together. For example for the St. Patrick’s Day table runner, I picked two panels that really highlight the shamrocks. Once you pick the panels, square up the panels to the desired size. making sure they are the same size. To do this, square up both. Whichever one is the smallest, trim the other down to that size.
Step 2: Cut Center Panel
The size of this panel is completely up to you and the place you are going to use it. Here’s the formula to figure it out:
Length of Placemat Panel x 2: _________
Subtract this number from the desired finish table runner length
Next, add .5” (seam allowance).
Cut center fabric piece to this size by the width of the placemat panels.
***Note: Consider making it a bit larger and trimming it up at the end. Quilting can cause the fabric to shift some.***
Step 3: Construct Table Runner Top
Sew placemat panels to the ends of the middle fabric panel, pressing seams toward the center panel. Quilt and finish using any of the methods used in the previous projects, or another method, if you’d like.
Please let me know if you have any questions! Happy to help! As always, remember to take some time to sew.
Happy Quilting!
Kris