Hello! Welcome to my Scrappy Patchwork Place Mat tutorial! I’ve done a little editing to this post to add in a few more ideas. I originally wrote the post to make scrappy place mats with left over jelly roll strips, but you can really use any scraps, and you can also use Moda candy squares and charm squares!
If you use jelly roll strips, simply follow the directions below. If you decide to
use Moda Candy squares (2 ½″ x 2 ½″) then you’ll need 36 for each place mat. A charm pack can be cut into 2 ½″ squares, and so one charm pack will give you enough squares for four place mats.
I had fun making my original place mats out of the “Oh Cherry Oh” Jelly Roll by Moda fabrics. I also used a little rick rack for embellishment.
Jelly Roll Instructions (if using 2 ½″ x 2 ½″ squares, simply make nine four-patch units or six nine-patch units and follow the rest of the instructions below).
For 4 placemats you will need a minimum of thirteen jelly roll strips (if you’d like to make your placemats even cuter and scrappier…cut 18 jelly roll strips in half and use 9 of those half strips along with 4 full-sized strips for the side borders). You will also need ½ yard for binding for the four place mats and ½ yard to back them (or use one fat quarter to back each place mat). If you would like to add rick rack trim to the sides, then also get 3 yards of ⅝″ rick rack. Your finished place mats will measure 12 ½″ x 16 ½″.
If you are using 9 whole strips (2 ½″ x 42″), begin by cutting them into 18 half strips (if you are using the 18 half strips cut from 18 different whole strips then this step is already completed). Now pair the strips up into groups of two and sew together along the long edges. Press to one side when sewing is complete.
Now cut all of your two strip units into 5″ long segments. After this step you will match each 5″ segment with a 5″ segment made out of two different fabrics. You will place these segments right sides together, nesting seams and sewing along both 4 ½″ sides. This is the same method used in my table topper tutorial .
I used the chain-sewing technique to make the sewing of these segments go quickly. I didn’t even cut them apart after sewing on one side…I just flipped them over and began chain-sewing the other side.
Next cut each segment in half, creating two four-patch blocks with each cut.
Press the four-patch blocks open, and you will have 36 four-patch blocks. Use 9 four-patch blocks for each place mat. Sew into three rows, and then sew your rows together.
You have now completed the center of your place mat. I really like this method for quickly making a scrappy “checkerboard.”
Using one full Jelly Roll strip for each place mat, cut two pieces equal to the measurement of the left and right sides of your place mat (I measured down the middle and made both side strips this length which should be 12 ½″).
Sandwich your place mat top, batting, and backing and quilt as desired. If you want to add rick rack, then position the rick rack over the seams between the side strips and the checkerboard middle and sew the rick rack onto the place mat.
Attach your binding and your place mats are done! A Jelly Roll with 40 strips will make 12 place mats…I can’t wait to make some 4th of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas place mats for myself and for gifts!
Here are some other ideas of what you can do with a Moda Jelly Roll:
1. Make strip sets for 9-patch blocks. 2. Make strip sets for 4-patch blocks. 3. Make strip sets and use for any zipper bag or tote pattern you might have. 4. Make 2 ½″ squares to use as corner triangles. 5. Cut into 2 ½″ x 4 ½″ rectangles…use with 2 ½″ squares to make “flying geese” blocks. 6. Sew together the strips to make a scrappy back. 7. Make framed 9-patch blocks.
8. Make a “coin” quilt. 9. Sew strip sets, then cut at 45 degree angles to make triangles. 10. Make “Log Cabin” blocks. 11. Make “piano key” borders. 12. Make potholders, coasters, or placemats. 13. Use strips to frame or sash blocks or rows of blocks. 14. Make ½ square triangles (you’ll need a special ruler, template, or paper).
8. Make a “coin” quilt. 9. Sew strip sets, then cut at 45 degree angles to make triangles. 10. Make “Log Cabin” blocks. 11. Make “piano key” borders. 12. Make potholders, coasters, or placemats. 13. Use strips to frame or sash blocks or rows of blocks. 14. Make ½ square triangles (you’ll need a special ruler, template, or paper).
Happy Sewing!
Sew Many Ways... says
These are the cutest placemats and such a great tutorial. Thanks for all the extra tips too. This was the best!!
~Karen~
The Un-Organized Mom says
I love these placemats!! They match perfectly the colors I am using for my kitchen re-do… another project added to the list!
Thank you!
SG says
I love your placemats! Thanks for the great tutorial and for sharing your ideas!
Simone de Klerk says
I think I should get a Jelly Roll some day, seeing all those pretty things you can make with it. Thank you for the tutorial. A good one for placemats for my daughter, who will be leaving home in a few months …
Vickie E says
Very good tute….very very good…
Eileen says
This is a very good post.. I am always trying to think of ways to use those 2.5 inch strips.
Stephanie says
Darling and love the ric rac! Absolutely perfect for spring/summer tea parties. :o)
QuiltedSimple says
How perfect for spring and summer – Very Cute!
Kris
Shasta says
Another great idea – such great placemats. A great way to make the fabric do the work.
Vicki says
Thanks Sherri. I have a “Butterfly Fling” jellyroll that I have been trying to figure out what to do with. I’ll just make placemats for springtime. Woohoo!
ElizabethandJeff says
These are so cute! Thanks so much!
Dawn says
Too cute!! Thanks for sharing!
Red Geranium Cottage says
Cute Sherry!! I just made one of those a couple weeks ago. Very easy and anyone can do it. Thanks for the tutorial. We’ll all have pretty placemats on our table now. Just dont drop any food on them.
Stina says
Wow ..thanks for a great idea!!! :o)
The placemats is wonderful!!
Sheri Howard says
I loved that aqua color in that line of fabric! I think Aqua is a great color. I have always loved those little “stamp” sized blocks. Thanks for sharing!
Carrie P. says
You are just full of great ideas. Thanks for sharing.
GARI says
Thanks for the tutorial. This is something I could have thought of but wouldn’t have. It is also something I will use. Thanks again.
Peddlecar Quilts says
Those are so darn cute! What a great way to use a jelly roll. Most of the patterns I use need so much extra fabric, now all I need is some fat quarters and binding, what a concept!!!! You are just full in information we love!!
Carol says
I LOVE your placemats and what a great tutorial…Thank you so much!
Kaaren says
Awesome Sherri! I now know what I’m going to do with one of the 4 jelly rolls I have collected in the recent past.
Excellent tutorial. Thanks for sharing.
jen duncan says
Hi Sherri- Thanks for visiting my blog! You said you felt like going to sew now…girl; by the looks of this blog of yours, you sew PLENTY!! Wowee–love it ALL!!
Jane's Fabrics and Quilts says
Holy Moly, thank you so much, may I ask what size rick rack you used? i just love that fabric line!!and all the ideas Thank you so much!!!!
A Spoonful Of Sugar says
Such sweet, colourful placemats – thanks for the inspiration!
Kathy Wheeler says
Love the placemats, and great tips. Thanks Sherri. KJW
Nanette Merrill and daughters says
THanks Sherri. Good job. I love the placemats. They are so cute and the rick rack adds so much. I’ve been wondering what to do with my new jelly roll.
Millie says
These place mats are so cute. Thanks for a great tutorial and for all the tips on what to do with a jellieroll. I did one of the 15 you mentioned, a Chinese Coin quilt and love it.
sewinglady says
Love the placemats!
Shades of Blue says
These are so cute, I have been looking for something to do with jelly rolls and I think I have found it! Thanks for sharing.
Sharon says
Love the place mats! I'll have to try making some for my table.
Thanks for sharing.
What size are the squares?
Sharon says
Looking for an idea for placemats and I found your site. Thanks SEW much for this "jelly Roll." Good tips.
Rohit Kumar says
These are so nice placemats,i like these placemates so much.