Project by Sharon Tuby
Dive into your Christmas stash to make these pocket placemats to grace your table on the big day. The pockets are perfect for cutlery, napkins or even your cracker! I chose this Cross-stitch Christmas fabric from Stuart Hillard which has a cute scandi vibe and reflects my love of all things hand sewing.
What you need:
Selection of fat quarters.
Background fabric.
Rotary cutter.
Ruler and mat.
Thread.
Batting.
Backing fabric.
Bias binding.
Sewing machine.
General sewing supplies.
Cutting instructions for each placemat:
From the background fabric cut
4 - 2.5 inch squares
2 - 2.5x12.5 inch strip
1 - 2.5x8.5 inch strip
2 - 3.5x2.5 inch brick
1 - 2.5x1.5 inch brick
From the ornament fabric cut
2 - 8.5x3.5 inch stripes
1 - 8.5x2.5 inch stripe in contrast fabric
1 - 2.5x1.5 ornament hanger
For the pockets cut
1 - 12.5x4 inch strip
1 - 16x4 inch strip
Step 1
Using a ¼” seam allowance throughout
Sew 2.5x1.5 back ground fabric to 2.5x1.5 hanger fabric top to bottom.
Sew 3.5x2.5 bricks to each side.
Step 2
Sew two 8.5x3.5 ornament stripes to 8.5x2.5 contrast stripe.
Step 3
Take each 2.5 inch square and draw a diagonal line from corner to corner and place them right sides together on each corner of the ornament square. Sew across each square corner to corner.
Step 4
Press open the four corners. Make sure this Step looks like a bauble before you cut off the excess fabric on the back. I pressed all seams open to ensure the placemat lies flat.
Step 5
Sew the hanger brick from Step 1 to the ornament square from Step 4 making sure the stripe goes in the horizontal direction. Then sew the 2.5x8.5 background strip to the bottom of the ornament square.
Step 6
Sew one 2.5x12.5 inch strips to either side of the ornament and press seams open.
Step 7
To make the pockets fold the 16x4 inch strip in half and press. Lay over the 12x4 rectangle with the open edges at the bottom. Sew 1/8th inch around the pocket to hold in place. Then attach the pocket to the edge of the bauble block.
Step 8
Layer the block up with backing fabric and wadding slightly larger than the placemat. I did this with safety pins but you could also use fusible wadding. Quilt as desired! I used a metallic gold thread – it is Christmas after all – and quilted simply in the ditch. You might want to reduce the tension on your machine and use a metallic needle to reduce thread breakage when using metallic threads.
Step 9
Trim the quilted placemat and bind with bias binding. Your placemat is all ready for your festive table so sit back and admire your handiwork. Happy Christmas!
To see more from Sharon, follow her on Instagram @seaside_quilter.
Made by Sharon Tuby for The Craft Cotton Co 2022.