QAYG Reversible Placemats

Need an idea for using strips left over from other rotary cutting projects? Turn them into placemats! And reversible ones, at that. It only takes a few minutes to sew each of these QAYG (quilt-as-you-go) placemats up. Believe me, it will take you longer to decide on your color combinations! And once you decide, you can make a set in under an hour.

(Click on thumbnails for larger pictures)

Instructions given are for one placemat... multiply that for the number you want in your set.

1. Decide on the finished size you want your placemat to be. (Hint: the most common size is 13 x 18". Cut a piece of batting that size. Starting from the left, measure one half the width of the batting plus ¼" and trace a line from top to bottom. (For example, if your finished width is 18, trace your line 9¼" from the left edge.)

2. You can use any width of fabric strips you like. Just make sure they are cut at least an inch longer than the height of the placemat. In our example, if your finished placemat is going to be 13", make sure your fabric strips are at least 14" long. Work with sets of two strips the exact same width each time.

3. Take two strips the same width. Align the first one (right sides up) along the traced line. Slip the second strip underneath the batting (right side down - wrong side against the batting) and align the short edges with the short edges of the top strip. Pin in place.

Take a second set of strips and place one on each side, right sides together with the first strip placed on the batting. Re-pin all layers. You should now have two strips of fabric (RST) on the top side of the batting, and two strips of fabric (RST) on the bottom side of the fabric.

4. Stitch through all layers, using a ¼" seam allowance. Press the strips open on each side.

5. Align another set of strips (remember: make sure they are the same width!) along the right edge of one of the stitched down strips. Once again, align one with the fabric on top, and the second one with the fabric on the bottom (RST in both cases). Pin in place and stitch through all layers, using a ¼" seam allowance. Continue to press the strips open.

6. Continue to add strips in this way until the entire batting is covered - make sure there is at least ½" covering all edges beyond the edge of the batting.

7. Mark the edges of the batting along all four sides. Stitch through all layers right inside that line, catching the edge of the batting as you go.

8. Pink the edges. When you wash the placemats you will have a nicely frayed edge. Make as many as you would like in your set!