How to Use ByAnnie Soft and Stable Project Packs for Sturdy Placemats and Small Bags: Tips for Quilters
Some projects need more than batting can give them. A placemat that flops, a phone carrier that collapses, or a case that will not hold its shape all benefit from real structure inside — and that is what the ByAnnie Soft and Stable Project Pack - White provides. It gives you pre-cut pieces of foam stabilizer in a handy project size, plus a bonus pattern, so you can try it on a small project first.
What the Project Pack Is
Soft and Stable is a 100% polyester foam with polyester fabric on both sides of the foam. Each Project Pack includes four pieces measuring 13-1/2 inches by 18-1/2 inches, each approximately .175 inch thick, and a bonus pattern for an easy-to-make placemat. Because the foam has fabric on both sides, your finished project looks as good on the back as it does on the front. The pack is white, so it sits quietly under light-colored fabrics without shadowing through.
Why Quilters and Sewists Use It
Soft and Stable gives projects great lasting body and stability while staying lightweight. It maintains its shape and gives a professional finish, yet it is soft and comfortable rather than stiff or board-like. It is also easy to sew, and unlike batting, fabric can be quilted to it or simply sewn around the edges of the pieces — there is no need to quilt every 2 to 4 inches to keep it in place. Finished projects are washer and dryer safe, so placemats and everyday carriers can be washed and worn beautifully instead of babied.
How to Use It, Step by Step
- Start with the placemat pattern. The bonus pattern in the pack is designed for these pieces, making it a good first project for learning how the foam behaves.
- Choose your fabrics. Pick a front and a back for each piece, knowing the stabilizer's fabric-covered sides will keep the finished item looking neat from both directions.
- Layer the foam between your fabrics. Place one 13-1/2 by 18-1/2 inch piece between your front and backing fabrics, aligning the edges.
- Decide how to secure it. Quilt through the layers if you want texture and extra hold, or simply sew around the edges of the pieces if you prefer a smooth, unquilted surface — both approaches work with Soft and Stable.
- Finish the edges and use it. Complete the placemat following the pattern, then put it straight to work. When it needs freshening, wash and dry it; it is washer and dryer safe.
Practical Tips
Let the size guide your project choice: the 13-1/2 by 18-1/2 inch pieces are placemat-sized, but they also work well for small projects such as computer cases and cell phone carriers, so think beyond the table. Because the foam holds its shape, it is a good pick for items that need to stand up or protect what is inside, rather than drape. And because you do not have to quilt it closely, edge-sewn projects go together quickly — a nice option when you are making a matched set of placemats for a gift or a holiday table.
Care and Storage
Finished projects made with Soft and Stable can go in the washer and dryer, which is part of what makes the placemats so practical for daily use. Store unused pieces flat so they stay smooth and ready to sew, and keep the pack together so the bonus pattern stays with the foam. With four pieces in the pack, you can make a coordinated set and still have the pattern on hand for the next one.
Project Ideas
Start with the included placemat pattern and make a set of four sturdy, washable placemats that look finished on both sides. Then try the pieces in small structured projects: a padded computer case, a cell phone carrier that holds its shape in your bag, or other small cases where lightweight body and a professional finish matter.
Shop the ByAnnie Soft and Stable Project Pack - White at Linda's Electric Quilters.
