Hey everyone. Today you'll learn how to sew a cheerful set of four quilted placemats in a rich barn red.
Here we go.
This is a fast, forgiving make. Straight seams. Small pieces. One good afternoon. If I can do this, y'all can do it.
Meet the fabric first
We're working with Red Barn from the Pearl Shimmer Tonals. The collection is Shimmer Tonals. It is part of the Basics & Blenders line from Connecting Threads.
This color is Red Barn, a warm, welcoming red. The tags call it red, and that fits just right.
The print is a watercolor tonal with pearlescent accents. The tonal pearlescent metallic printing adds a subtle sparkle. It catches the light without shouting.
This fabric is 100% USA grown quilting cotton, printed on long staple Rainbow base cloth. That is why it feels super soft, silky, and smooth. It is also Oeko-Tex Certified free of harmful substances.
The width is 44/45 inches, sold per yard. The maker is CT - Connecting Threads. The line comes in 40 colors.
Why this fabric suits a placemat set
A placemat works hard every single day. It sits under hot plates. It catches crumbs. It still has to look nice.
From across the room, this one reads as a rich, solid red. Up close, the shimmer keeps it special. That soft glow makes a plain rectangle look really really good.
Quilting cotton is easy to sew, too. It presses crisp. It holds a seam. It washes well for everyday use.
Our finished placemats are 12 inches by 18 inches. That is a standard placemat size. Big enough for a plate, napkin, and silverware. Super duper fun.
Materials list
- 1 1/2 yards Red Barn Pearl Shimmer Tonals Cotton 44"/45" Fabric Per Yard for the fronts and backs of four placemats
- Low-loft cotton batting, four pieces cut at 13 inches by 19 inches
- 50-weight cotton thread to match for piecing and quilting
- An 80/12 needle for sewing the cotton and batting layers
- Rotary cutter, ruler, mat, pins or clips
- Iron and pressing surface
- A point turner or chopstick for corners
That gives you eight rectangles, plus a little extra. Ask me how I know.
Brief steps
Step 1: Press and cut. Press the fabric flat. Cut eight rectangles at 13 inches by 19 inches each. That extra inch gives you a 1/2-inch seam allowance all around. Cut your four batting pieces the same size.
Step 2: Layer each placemat. For each one, lay a back piece right side down. Lay a batting piece on top of it. Lay a front piece right side up on top of that. Smooth it flat. Pin or clip all around.
Step 3: Sew around. Sew all four sides with a 1/2-inch seam allowance, at about 10 to 12 stitches per inch. Leave a 5-inch opening on one long side for turning. Backstitch at the start and end of that opening, so it does not pull loose.
I have sewn that opening shut before, y'all. Oh my goodness, yes. Every time I rush, I do it. The fix is simple. Open a few inches back up with your seam ripper, slow and careful. Nobody has to know.
Step 4: Trim, turn, and press. Clip the corners at an angle, careful not to cut your stitches. Turn each placemat right side out through the opening. Push the corners out gently. Fold the opening in and press flat.
Step 5: Topstitch and quilt. Topstitch all around, about 1/4 inch from the edge. That closes your opening, too. Then add simple quilting. A few straight lines across, or a gentle stitch in the ditch grid, completely up to you. Just like that, your set is done.
Practical tips from my table
Let the pearly shimmer do the sparkle work. Plain thread is plenty. Busy quilting can fight this pretty fabric, so simple lines let the red shine.
Want options? Make all four in this red for a matching set. Or mix this red with other colors from the same line for different seats. We're not reinventing the wheel here, and it's completely up to you.
Slow down at the corners. Those batting layers stack up thick there. Slow down or the needle snaps, especially when you pivot.
And hear me on this one. It does not have to be perfect. You're your own worst critic. Take your time, it's not a race. Once dinner is on the table, all anyone sees is that warm red glow.
Thanks so much for sewing along with me today. We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the Red Barn Pearl Shimmer Tonals Cotton 44"/45" Fabric Per Yard at Linda's Electric Quilters.
