• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Polka Dot Chair logo

  • SEWING
    • Free Sewing Patterns
    • Bag Patterns
    • Costumes
    • Apparel
    • Learn to Sew
    • Beginner Friendly
    • Embroidery Projects
    • Tips & Techniques
    • All Sewing
  • QUILTING
    • Quilt Blocks
    • Learn to Quilt
    • Free Patterns
    • Quilt Patterns
    • All Quilting
  • CRAFTS
    • Disney
    • Cricut
    • Printables
    • All Crafts
  • HOLIDAYS
    • Seasonal Projects
    • Valentine’s Day
    • Easter
    • 4th of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
    • All Holidays
  • TUTORIALS
  • ABOUT
    • About Me
    • My Fabric Collections
    • Published Books
    • Press
    • FAQ’s
    • Contact
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • SHOP
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • SHOP
  • ALL PROJECTS
  • SEWING
  • QUILTING
  • CRAFTS
  • HOLIDAY PROJECTS
  • ABOUT
    • Published Books
    • My Fabric Collections
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Quilts

    Square in Square Quilted Placemat Pattern

    Updated: Dec 2, 2019 by Melissa Mortenson · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · Leave a Comment

    Quilted placemats on table

    Sarah Ashford is back with us again today sharing a fun tutorial for a set of Quilted Placemats. They are made using square in square quilt blocks and are perfect for fussy cutting your favorite fabrics.

    Quilted Placemats on table

    Is the sun still shining where you are?  I’m based in the UK so it’s a little hit and miss, and I had planned to make some placemats for the garden, but low and behold it’s an unpredictable British summer as usual and it’s raining!  (And not even a little rain, we’re talking lots of rain and high winds too…typical!) So My placemats for the garden are now well and truly for the kitchen, and maybe if the sun does come out again in the future, I’ll take them outside!

    But anyway, I wanted to show you how to make some placemats, and also share a new technique with you, where you don’t have to do any binding 🙂 

    About the Pattern:

    This pattern assumes Foundation Paper Piecing knowledge.  Not sure?  Then head to my tutorial for a step by step guide designed for even the most apprehensive of beginners!  Once you get the hang of it you will love it, I promise.  

    Foundation Paper Piecing Tutorial for Beginners with Free Kite Paper Piecing Pattern

    How to Make Quilted Placemats using Square in Square Quilt Blocks:

    Use whatever fabrics you like; cute animal or floral motifs really work well for the fussy cut centers.

    To make 2 Square in Square Fishy Quilted Placemats you will need: 

    A selection of coordinating fat eighths including fabric with motifs for the fussy cut centers 

    Backing fabric –  14” x 10”

    Batting  – 14” x 10”

    About the Quilt Blocks:

    Each placemat is made up of 4 economy blocks (also known as a square in a square)  and each is foundation paper pieced.  Here I’ve given you the amounts you need to cut for each section of the block, but remember, it’s better to be generous with fabric for FPP as if you fall short it causes problems! 

    I recommend for EACH section you will need to cut:  

    Fussy cut center – one 3” square 

    Inner on-point square – two 3” squares and cut each on the diagonal to form 2 triangles

    Outer square – two 3 ½” squares and cut each on the diagonal to form 2 triangles 

    Left and right border – two 8 ½” x 3” strips 

    top and bottom border – two 1 ½” x 14” strips (this allows extra for trimming) 

    And you will need to download the FPP Template HERE.  (2 blocks per page) 

    My Top Tips for Foundation Paper Piecing:

    1. When you start with your first piece, use EPP glue to secure the first piece to the paper.  This ensures the fabric lays nice and flat and you don’t have to worry about pins getting in the way. Genius.
    2. Use a small rotary cutter.  This makes life SO much easier as you have more control, precision, and accuracy.  Trust me! 
    3. I can’t recommend an ‘Add a Quarter’ ruler highly enough.  The ridge on it allows it to nest in nicely over the paper, allowing you to cut an accurate ¼” seam every time.   
    4. Use a postcard to help you fold back the papers so you get a nice crisp crease every time.  

    Ok, so here we go! 

    Step One: Create the Quilt Blocks

    First, glue your fussy cut center to the middle of the block.  

    Take your 4 center triangles and add them one at a time, pressing and trimming as you go.  

    Remember to use a short stitch length – I like to use 1.5 on my machine. This makes it easier to tear away the papers later. 

    Next, add the 4 outer triangles to complete the outer square and finish your first economy block.  

    Step Two: Assemble the Quilt Blocks

    Repeat to make all 4 economy blocks.  Stitch the top two together then the bottom two together.  I pressed my seams open for this bit as I found it laid flatter and we want everything nice and flat.  Sew the pairs together to create a block of 4.  

    Add the left and right borders.  Trim if needed. 

    Add the top and bottom borders to compete for the top of the placemat.  Again, trim if needed.  

    Carefully remove the papers, using tweezers to help you if some of the paper is caught in the stitching. 

    Step Three: Quilting

    Next, layer up the sections in the following order: 

    Lay the backing right side up, and place the patchwork right side down.  Next place the batting on top.  

    Use binding clips to hold all three layers together.   Leave a 5” gap for turning, and stitch using a generous ¼” seam all the way around the edge.  

    Turn right side out and clip the corners.  Iron flat using your preferred product of choice to achieve a flat finish.  Use a small slip stitch in a matching thread to close the gap.  

    Finishing:

    Now we are going to quilt it, to hold all three layers together and to add more interest.  But we don’t want to have lots of loose ends to tie in so we are going to use a ladder formation, stitching vertically down the line, then stitching approximately three stitches across, and then back up. 

    By using a continuous quilting line we only have to tie off at the beginning and end which is much easier! 

    Tips for Quilting the Placemats:

    My top tips for the quilting would be to use a walking foot, as this helps feed the three layers through your machine evenly, and I like to use a long stitch length, up to about 4.0, as this gives a really nice finish.  Once you’ve quilted your placemat, tie off the ends and sew them in.  

    And you’re done!  All you need to do now is invite family and friends round for dinner, and layout your hand made table mats for them to admire!  

    About the Maker:

    Sarah Ashford is a British Quilter and embroiderer and founder of the GreatBritishQuilter challenge on Instagram. Sarah regularly contributes projects to magazines and loves to spread the joy of quilting everywhere she goes. Follow her on Instagram at @sarahashfordstudio and be sure to check out her beautiful sewing room decals in her Etsy shop www.etsy.com/shop/sarahashfordstudio

    More Small Quilt Projects to Try:

    Hello Sunshine Mini Quilt Pattern

    How to Make a Quilted Table Runner

    How to Make a Vintage Hanky Quilt

    Quilted placemats on table

    More Projects You'll Love!

    • Square in Square Mini Quilt Tutorial by Amy Smart of Diary of a Quilter
      Square in Square Quilt Block Tutorial & Wonderland Apron
    • Ohio Star Quilt Blocks
      Ohio Star Quilt Blocks for the Let's Stay Home Quilt Along
    • Star Quilt Block of the Month
      Under the Stars Quilt Block Pattern - Just for Fun Quilt Along
    • quilted halloween placemat on table with halloween decorations
      Quilted Halloween Placemat Pattern
    « Self-Binding Sweatshirt Blanket Tutorial; Turn your old shirts into a cozy blanket!
    Soft ‘n Snuggly Sensory Baby Quilt Tutorial »

    • Share
    • Email

    About Author

    Melissa Mortenson

    Melissa Mortenson is a blogger, designer, and content creator. She is the Polka Dot Chair blog founder and has been sharing fresh and creative ideas with readers since 2008. She is the author of “Project Teen, Handmade Gifts your Teen will Actually Love.” Her work and designs have been featured on HuffPost, TODAY, Pioneer Woman, HGTV, BuzzFeed, Better Homes & Gardens, and many other established publications. Her first fabric line, “Derby Style,” debuted in January 2015 through Riley Blake Designs.  Additional fabric collections have followed it in subsequent years. A mom of 3, she considers herself lucky to be living in Kentucky.

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hello! It’s nice to meet you.

    I’m Melissa. I like to design things, like fabric, printables, and projects.

    I’m also a Mom and a Maker. I am like most of you, just trying to do my best every day. Some days I succeed, many days I fail.  I find joy in creating, if you do too, then I hope that you find something here bring a little “happy” to your life.  Find out more about me here.

    COPYRIGHT POLICY

    All my images and text are copyrighted. You may NOT use any images from this site in any kind of Video (this includes YouTube). If you would like to feature my work, you may use ONE (1) NON-COLLAGED image and must “follow” link back to my original blog post. You may NOT edit, crop, or change my images in any way without written permission. You MAY NOT print out or copy and distribute any text, images or patterns from this site. All patterns, content, instructions, and templates are for personal use ONLY! Thank you! Violators will be reported.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimers
    • About Melissa

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • FAQ
    • Press
    • Fabric Collections

    Welcome to the Polka Dot Chair! Here you’ll find easy, step-by-step, sewing, quilting, and crafting projects. We design projects for Makers of all skill levels. Beginners are welcome!

    DISCLAIMER:

    While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the content on this website, the information is made available without warranty of any kind. The Polka Dot Chair accepts no responsibility or liability, whether direct or indirect, as to the currency or accuracy of the information, nor any consequence of its uses. This website is not intended to substitute the advice of a professional.

    Copyright © 2020 Polka Dot Chair

    [ Placeholder content for popup link ] WordPress Download Manager - Best Download Management Plugin