Easy Placemat Pattern
 

Can anyone suggest an easy placemat pattern that could be made in an hour to an hour and a half? This will be a project for a group of quilters. I am thinking that not binding it (birthing?) may make it quicker. Thanks in advance for all your help.

If you want easy .... two pieces of fabric and a piece of batting ... birthed.
Pick nice novelty fabrics, florals or whatever is appropriate for the occasion.

Though, I always think a binding on it makes it look so much nicer and complete.

12 x 18 rectangle of two different (or coordinating) fabrics, birth it, and do some cross-hatching or just linear quilting! You could do an applique' in the corner for a focal point. If it is for a group, have 1/3 do the cutting, 1/3 do an applique' the other 1/3 do the sewing, then switch 'jobs'.

Instead of traditional binding, which takes forever, try to cut the back large enough to wrap around to the front. Gives the look of binding without being as time consuming - and is easier for beginners.

I am in a group of quilters that are making Xmas placemats for Meals on Wheels. I just Google and found lots of inspiration. I am lucky because I have EQ to draw patterns that I see.

If you have any orphan blocks, especially 12-1/2", just add side borders to make it 18-1/2", then sew a nice backing on it with a 1/4" seam. Finished placemat is 12x18. When you ladies say "birth", is this the same as "pillowcase" -- sew right sides together, leaving an opening for turning, then topstitch around outside edge.

I strongly recommend that anything being used for place mats be washed before cutting.

I have had purchased place mats get very wonky after they were washed.

http://www.quilterswarehouse.com/p-2...t-pattern.aspx Hope this posts as a usable link. 5 patches -- saw on a blog --cute. Either birth or use back to front. Learn a few a easy beginning quilt skills.

Some of the nicest and easiest placemats I made were 8 or 9 - 2" strips of fabric cut the vertical cut 12" long and sewn together. I did bind mine but you could just use one piece of fabric for the backing and birth as you said. I practiced my FMQ in a simple rather large stipple. You could just do straight line stitching horizontally or diagonally instead of FMQ.