Quilt Blocks to Placemats

It's a short jump from quilt blocks to placemats; and much more user-friendly than having quilt blocks stack up in the stash closet! I chose the tiny gray dot background for this years' BOM classes at my LQS; we're using Studio 180 tools this time: Wing Clipper, V-Block and Corner Beam; I love the sessions and the techniques but quickly realized that I can only make SO MANY quilts! Our son and his family have a newly renovated kitchen with a neutral gray palette and an idea was hatched. With the first four sessions done I had four 12" blocks with which to work.  These mats finish at 16" X 19". The pattern that I came up with is included below. I loaded them all onto one backing and batting and quilted them all at the same time using Keryn Emmerson's "Double Plume" pantograph-- quick and easy!

I'll bet if you searched you might have a quilt block or two that you could press into table service. There will be more placemats coming as this year progresses, maybe even a table runner to match!

Placemats from Quilt Blocks

These placemats were made from 12.5” (unfinished) quilt blocks.

Finished mats measure 16” X 19”

For each placemat, from border fabric:

Cut 2 pcs. 12.5” X 3.5”

Cut 2 pcs. 19.5” X 1.75”

From accent color fabric (also used for binding):

Cut 2 pcs. 12.5” X 1”

Cut 2 pcs. 19. 5” X 1”

I attached the narrow, accent color fabric to the border fabric first, using ¼” seam and then attaching these units to each quilt block; sides first, then top and bottom with ¼” seams.

Quilt as desired (that phrase always makes me laugh!). Square up mats.

Bind* with accent color.

* I used Quilter’s Dream Poly batting for these and cut my binding strips at 2.25”.

Enjoy!

Life is Good!