if you have an embroidery machine I would embroidery the placemats instead of quilting them. It gives a much nicer holiday look IMHO. It is also faster. I am embroidering many, many for gifts, using flannel for lining, putting a holiday fabric for backing , not quilting needed, and using the serger with a rolled hem edge. They look very professional, are easy and fairly fast. With this procedure 12 placemats and a table runner could be done in a couple of days easy.