The Autumn Jubilee Sew Along continues today with part 2 of the placemat construction. The pattern for these placemats is part of Fat Quarter Shop’s Blog Remix event, revisiting old patterns with new ideas.
You’ll need three additional pieces of fabric for the front side, 3-1/2-inches x 12-1/2-inches. Use a cute coordinating print for two, placing one on each side.
Make the third piece a contrasting print, and fold it in half lengthwise. The folded edge will be the top of the pocket opening, and you can place it on the left….
or the right, your choice. On the original pattern, this is the time to add a lace detail on the side seams, but I have chosen to leave that off mine. If you want to add lace or a piping detail, stay stitch it onto the sides of the center 12-inch block before continuing to enclose it into the side seams.
I put my pocket on the left, then sewed the side seams.
Continue for the number of placemats you are making. Here’s my four. Note that I turned two of the leaves to the left, and two to the right for a little variety.
Next, layer the tops with batting and backing. Place the top and backing right sides together, then lay on the batting. These are small and will be finished on your domestic machine. I cut my backing just a bit bigger than the top.
The pocket isn’t stitched down to the edge, so be sure it is laying flat. The loose edge will be incorporated into the outer seam.
Pin lightly, leaving a space for turning on the opposite edge from the pocket.
Using a quarter-inch foot, sew around the edge of the top, joining all three layers.
When you are 1/4-inch away from the next edge, pivot and continue sewing.
As you come to points, be sure to sew through the ‘x’ created by the previous stitching for perfect points.
I leave a big space for turning to make that part easy.
Now, trim the backing and batting layers to the 1/4-inch seam allowance.
Continue all around all the placemats.
Clip the corners so the corners will turn without bulk and have sharper points.
Turn and press. Work the corners out to a nice point. I use a chopstick for this. Using your fingers or pins, turn under that part that was left open to turn it right side out. We’ll take care of that next time. No worries, no hand sewing needed!!
The final post on this sew along will be on November 1 to correspond with the Fat Quarter Shop’s Remix event. This is sooner than I told you before, it will publish next Thursday with a hop at Jolly Jabber of other blogger’s versions. Today’s giveaway is sponsored by Moda!
Leave a comment on this post, then click on the button below to enter the drawing for one of the Moda Layer Cakes shown above with an “I Dream of Moda” tote bag. Do you use precuts? Using my affiliate link helps to support my blog – Moda Fabrics at Fat Quarter Shop. If you’d rather not use an affiliate link, use the link in Rafflecopter to visit Fat Quarter Shop and see the Moda Fabrics to answer the question for that entry. I am shipping these myself, so international entries welcome!
And, I am really excited to let you all know that Pat Sloan has asked me to be a guest on her APQ Quilting Podcast for Monday October 29th!! She told me that she looked around my blog and my Scrap Dance series caught her eye. We have emailed several times now over the past month to get acquainted, and she has several topics identified for us to discuss. This will be my first ever podcast.
I’ll be the fourth guest that day, and the podcast will air live at 4 pm Eastern time. It will be available later as well, on her podcast archive. See the link for ways to listen live with iTunes or an Android App, or later on your computer after the podcast is uploaded to the archive. Happy Quilting!!
From My Carolina Home 
Congrats…..Pat Sloan is a pro….she’ll make the podcast process so enjoyable for you!!!
Carole, I use precuts because I have been known to pet and then impulse buy the delightful fabric bundles. I have never planned to buy a precut bundle except fat quarters. I was so thrilled when FQ bundles came out in the 90s because all of a sudden I could make a scrap quilt without having scraps. Oh, my, how times have changed. Now I have scraps galore! I love the maple leaf block. The placemats are so cute. I would never have thought about making cutlery pockets. Such a cute idea. Thanks! Jan
I love the placemats. I like the extra little touch with the pouch. Thanks for hosting this QAL.Also, congratulations for being on Pat Sloan’s Podcast! I hope to get to listen to it.
I forgot to say that I do use pre-cuts. I buy them and I make them from my scraps as much as possible.
I love the maple leaf shape of these blocks! Wonderful color ideas & so pretty placemats! I have not used the narrow pre-cuts yet!
Look at you go, Girl! 🙂 Congrats! I began by using precuts until I felt comfortable with more extensive cutting.
-Jean💟
I love that you have made the placemats quick with the turning rather than a binding (which can be done if one chooses) and the little pocket is a nice addition. Best of luck with the pod cast – how fun!
Got the podcast on my calendar. Yay!!
Last year I used a layer cake for the first time and would definitely use them again. Thank you for the chance of a giveaway
I have mostly used jelly rolls and charm squares.
What a nice setting for these placemats. Am happy to see this finish, rather than binding, since I am making 12. That would have been a lot of hand finishing! Have never used 10” precuts, but would love to have a chance to try. Congrats on your guest spot with Pat Sloan!
I use precuts, usually the fat quarters. The mini charms are the easiest. Thanks for the giveaway.
Great holiday project!
Hi Carole! How exciting to be featured on Pat Sloan’s podcast. I will be sure to listen. I do use precuts fairly often because I like have the variety of fabrics that they offer. I do not like how they are so poorly cut and many times find them to be WAY over the size they say or WAY under. Very disappointing. Thank you for the wonderful tutorial on your placemats. ~smile~ Roseanne
I love the idea of the pocket on the side of the placemats. Makes it so easy to place the silverware in the pocket and roll them up to take to church potluck or a picnic, whatever! I do use precuts occasionally, generally the larger ones, layer cakes and fat quarters or fat eighths. Thanks again for this fun pattern!
Darling and festive placemats. I love the pocket!
The precut I use most is the fat quarter. I have a few jelly rolls and a layer cake waiting to be used, but most of my stash is fat quarters.
Will be fun to hear you on the podcast Carole! It is one of the ways I find wonderful sewists…think of all the people who will hear you and find your lovely blog and great projects. Love the maple leaves!
I love using precuts – especially layer cakes! The FQS blog remixes have been fun!
How awesome for you to be a featured speaker. She is one of my roll models in quilting. I do use pre cuts. Mostly jelly rolls, charms and cakes. I have several individual fat quarters but mostly my stash is yard pieces. This is a cute idea and quick to sew.
love thepocket, i was just looking for a quick project for a gift, thank you for the great idea!
I do use precuts sometimes Carole! It’s a way to get a variety of fabric in the same line to try out. Plus, there are a lot of good patterns that are “precut friendly!!” Thanks for sharing. I’ll be posting the pocketed placemat for FQS on 11/1 too! Also have the maple leaf pattern to post on the 30th! Thanks for sharing. I love the maple leaf placemats and the variety of turning them in alternating directions!
I use precuts, but prefer to make my own from stash. Does that make them postcuts? Your placemats are great for Autumn. Are you left handed? I wondered if that’s why you put the pocket on the left.
Wow, I’m really excited for your podcast interview!
No, I am right handed, I just like accents on the left from a design standpoint.
Thanks for the great tutorial. I love precuts – especially fat quarters. Thanks.
Good morning Carole…..I have so much fabric that I use my Accuquilt Go to cut my own pre-cuts, in an attempt to use some of the huge stash I have on hand.. I love all those fall colors!
Precuts are a time saver – Genius!
Congrats on the CS podcast debut! You will be a great addition to the show
I make lots of my own pre cuts so that my 3 Grands can play with color and design and then sew pillow tops. It’s a great hobby and they can do so much designing and sewing on their own with pre cuts. They might eventually learn how to pick up after working/finishing their projects. Just so happy they love designing and sewing!
Thank you for the placemat tutorial. I love them. Yes, I use pre-cuts all the time. They are an easy way to get scrappy. Also, I listen to Pat Sloan’s podcast all the time. Congrats!
Congratulations on being chosen for Pat’s podcast – I’ll try to listen! Your placemats are lots of fun! I turned my Autumn Jubilee blocks into a tablerunner and I’m really happy with it. I also made your pumpkin bread recipe this week – it’s really good. I do like precuts – I don’t buy a ton, but it’s fun to have a charm pack or layer cake in the stash to pull out once in awhile.
Can’t wait to hear you with Pat! Way to go! ☺
I like to use precuts as much as I can.
I really like the idea of a pocket in your placemats for the dinner table.
So many possibilities I an do with the pocket:
a trinket or charm for a special occasion or season
picture of my guest
Keeping my fingers crossed that I win
Wow! Congratulations being on Pat Sloan’s podcast. How exciting!! I do use precuts, and have several Pinterest categories for all the great patterns I keep finding. Have fun on the podcast!
I love to use fat quarter bundles, and have sewn with layer cakes and charm packs in the past. I have several layer cake patterns, and theses fabrics would be fun to use.
The placemats are perfect for the fall. I love the quick construction technique. They would be easy to whip up for a Thanksgiving hostess gift.
Lovely job on the placemats, can’t wait to see how they are finished up.
These placemats are lovely! I like the finished edge on them.
I have used precuts but am getting away from them a bit though I have some here in the stash. I like that they give you a side selection of pieces from each designer line. I’m not crazy about the inconsistency of the cuts though. Fat quarter bundles have been my latest favorite if I really like the fabric. I have only used a few jelly rolls but quite a few layer cakes.
These placemats will make a perfect gift for a friend’s table.
Stunning Fall placemats and great tutorial too! #CreativeGoodness
Darling placemats! I love the silverware pocket, that’s a great idea.
I love precuts because I find that yardage sometimes overwhelms me to the point that I don’t end up using it. I especially love jelly rolls and layer cakes. Your step by step instructions encourage me to try different blocks. I look forward to hearing you on Pat Sloan’s podcast.
Yes, I use precuts! I like it that the fabrics are designed to be used together and give a lovely pulled together look. I’m enjoying your Autumn Jubilee posts!
Great tutorial! Thank you, Carole and congratulations on your invite from Pat Sloan. I’ve used plenty of pre-cuts, including one layer cake and I was amazed at how much fabric there was.
Yes, I love precuts. Jelly roll patterns are not as plentiful, but I have lots of all precuts and patterns.
I love precuts. I buy them all the time. Using some right now.
i’m using pre-cut strips now in a baby quilt! I love the convenience of having advanced cutting done when I want to get going on a project.
I’ve never used precuts since I have so many of my own in my stash. LOL But would love a Moda pack! Congratulations on your upcoming podcast, Carole! I’ll be tuning in if possible.
I love Precuts–one of my favorite quilts is a Dresden Plate design using Precuts. (I have quite a collection yet to make up and am dreaming about which designs to use!)
barbkaup(at)(yahoo)(dot)(com)
I love using Precuts… all the fabrics coordinate perfectly.
So far have only used fat quarters which I really like.
Looking forward to the podcast.
Yes. I am a sucker for those great bits of the whole pattern line. Thanks.
Just recently found you, enjoying your blog & Facebook page. Yes, I use precuts.
Yes, I use precuts and layer cakes are my favorite.
I am trying to use my stash, but occasionally use precuts if I’ve won them. Congrats on Thebes’s podcast!!
I sometimes use precuts, but not usually. I love your placemats and you did a great job of matching up your plaid!! Fun project; I’m thinking about making a set for my grandgirls! 🙂
Nice placemats. I rarely use precuts.
I occasionally use precuts but I also have a Sizzix Big Shot and make my own 2 1/2 strips and 5 inch squares from my extensive stash.
Love your blog.
Thank you!!!
i rarely use precuts.
I don’t often buy precuts, but if I do, I use them right away! I do love the layer cakes where you get a little piece of each fabric in a collection.
Congrats on being on Pat Sloan’s show… can’t wait to hear it!
Love the placemats so fun! I like to use precuts but I also find myself cutting yardage.
I do use precuts – jelly rolls, charm squares and fat quarters. Thanks!
Yes I do use precuts. Your placemats are fabulous!
I do use precuts. And I love your placemats, I’ll definitely be making some of these.
I do use precuts quite often. Your placemats are really festive. ‘May make a few myself.
Look forward to listening to the podcast.
i love precuts!
I primarily use jelly roll or charm precuts. I should do some stash precuting to use up my stash for scrappy projects. Will I do it? Maybe. I love projects created with autumn fabric colorways. Your place mats are very appealing and well done..
I use some precuts; most often I make my own out of scraps or remnants.
nikilsend(at)outlook(dot)com
I love your leaf placements, especially the gorgeous autumn colors you used.
So sorry about my previous comment. I didn’t realize I was supposed to answer a question! I’ve never used precuts but I bought a package of 5″ squares which I hope to use one of these days.
No worries, Nancy! I’m not a stickler for answering a question, it is just a way to give readers an idea. Any comment is fine.
I do use precuts not all the time but I do love them. Love the placemats very cute.
I especially like to use Moda layer cakes.
I enjoy using precuts-but seams in the past year i have bought them because they were pretty- and have held on to them. i guess I need to start using them!
I love to use precuts – such a great variety of colors already chosen for me.
I use some precuts, although I enjoy the process of cutting fabrics 🙂
Your placemats are great for the fall season! I use lots of FQ in my sewing.
I do like layer cakes!