Anne's Border Placemat

Anne works at The Marsh Store and thinks of ways to use the things I order.  Last month (or in October) she came up with a way to use border prints.  I love border stripes and order lots because they make such beautiful borders.  Here is her method for 4 quick placemats from half a yard of border print.

Choose about 16 to 18 inches of a border print.  Cut into 4 identical sections.  I like to line the 1/4 mark/line of the ruler on a line of the print to cut.  That way you have a sewing line to follow.

Choose an accent colour to go on the top and bottom of the placemats.  Cut one 2" strip for each placemat.  Subcut each strip in half. Sew one strip to the top of the border print.  Sew one strip to the bottom of the border print.  Press away from the border print.

Cut backing for each placemat.  Make the back about 1 inch longer and 1 inch wider than the placemat.  Cut a scrap of batting for each placemat at least as large as the backing.

Place the batting on a flat surface.  Place the backing on the batting with the right side up.  Place the placemat top on the backing, right sides together so the placemat top is wrong side up.  Sew a 1/4" seam around the placemat, leaving an opening of about 3 inches.  Trim the batting to the sewing line.  Clip the corners to reduce bulk.  Turn the placemat right side out through the opening.  Press, pulling out the corners to a point and the sides so the fold is right at the stitching line.  Quilt some lines of the border print to hold the layers in place. 

Hot off the ironing board.  To close the opening you turned it through, topstitch about 1/8" away from the outside edge.  Then I like to topstitch a second line about 1/4" from the outside edge.  For easy quilting, follow lines in the fabric design until there is enough quilting to safely wash the placemats.  The batting you choose will tell you how far apart it needs to be quilted.  Off to finish 4 placemats!

Enjoy or gift.