I like the look of top stitching when I make placemats. Is there a way to do a QAYG placemat that doesn't require binding?

you could make them pillowcase style - right sides together, stitch all edges leaving a hole to turn right side out, turn, close hole and do quilting/topstitching to your delight. No binding.

That's the way I do it usually but if I'm doing a QAYG both sides are right side exposed.

so you want to quilt it before you do the edges? If so, I'm not sure how you'd do the edges without some kind of binding. You could leave either the front or the back fabric wider than the other two layers and wrap it around the edge then topstitch...that would work as long as you haven't quilted too close to the edge.

Thanks for your help - I'll try this.

add a trim border, sew it on, turn under and stitch down. I can't remember the name of the trim (CRAFT disease). It's satin=y, like a wide, shiny rope.

I've done this on table runners and it's been great