Hey everyone. Today you're going to learn how to make a soft, flexible placemat set using HeatnBond Soft Stretch Lite to fuse the layers without pinning.
First, what this product really is
Let's start honest, y'all. This is not fabric, and it is not batting.
HeatnBond Soft Stretch Lite is a sewable, lightweight iron-on web adhesive. It is double-sided, permanent, and made to move with your fabric while holding a strong bond.
This bolt is 17 inches wide by 20 yards long. That is a lot of fusing, folks — enough for this set and plenty more.
It was designed for stretch fabrics — knits, stretch denim, spandex, and jersey. It also works nicely with fleece and flannel, which is where our placemats come in.
Here's what I love about it. No added bulk. Your fabric keeps a soft hand after fusing. It eliminates pinning, and it doesn't gum up your needles.
We're not reinventing the wheel here. Let the adhesive do the holding, so you can do the sewing.
The project: a flexible placemat set
We are making four placemats, finished at 12 by 18 inches each.
Most placemats are stiff as boards, and that's fine. But a soft placemat rolls up for a drawer, drapes instead of clattering, and feels good under a plate.
That is why Soft Stretch Lite suits this project. A flannel front fused to a fleece layer stays soft and flexible. Nothing cracks. Nothing curls. And because the bond moves, your topstitching stays smooth.
You can also fuse a simple appliqué shape on each front — a leaf, a star, a little pumpkin, completely up to you. The adhesive holds it edge to edge, no pins shifting while you stitch.
Materials
- Flannel or fleece fabric for the placemat fronts — 3/4 yard, pre-washed and dried with no fabric softener; cut 4 rectangles at 12 1/2 by 18 1/2 inches
- Cotton or flannel fabric for the backs — 3/4 yard, pre-washed; cut 4 rectangles at 12 1/2 by 18 1/2 inches
- HeatnBond Soft Stretch Lite Iron-On Adhesive Bolt, 17 in x 20 yds — cut 4 pieces at 12 1/2 by 18 1/2 inches, plus small scraps for any appliqué shapes
- Optional appliqué fabric — small pieces for 4 simple shapes
- Thread to match, and a sewing machine needle in good shape — a size 80/12 works well here
- Iron set to high heat, no steam for the first fuse, then steam for the final bond, per the directions below
Brief steps
Here we go.
One, pre-wash everything without fabric softener, and press your fabrics first. Pretest the adhesive on a scrap — I learned that lesson by skipping it once.
Two, place a piece of Soft Stretch Lite on the wrong side of each front, paper liner facing up. Press and hold the iron on the liner for 5 seconds per section. Repeat until the whole piece is bonded, then let it cool.
Three, peel off the paper liner. Lay the front, adhesive side down, onto the wrong side of its matching back. Now press with steam, holding 20 seconds per section, until the whole placemat is bonded.
Four, if you're adding appliqué, fuse a scrap of adhesive to the wrong side of your shape fabric the same way. Cut your shape, peel the liner, position it, and press it in place.
Five, topstitch around each placemat about 1/4 inch from the edge, at roughly 8 to 10 stitches per inch. Then stitch in the ditch or echo around your appliqué shape to lock it down pretty.
Six, trim any stray threads, give the set a light final press, and stack them up. Just like that — four placemats, soft as you please.
Practical tips from my table
Warn you at the moment of risk, folks: never let the iron touch the adhesive directly. Keep that paper liner, or your fabric, between them. And don't iron straight onto your board.
Let each piece cool before you peel or move it. A warm bond is a weak bond. Give it a minute.
Avoid repeated, heavy ironing over the fused area later. One good press does the job. Extra heat doesn't make it stronger.
For care, machine wash cold on delicate, and tumble dry low or no heat, following your fabric's directions. These are dry cleanable too.
Your permission beat: if one placemat comes out a hair narrower than its sisters, let it be. You're your own worst critic. Nobody at your table is bringing a ruler. Take your time — it's not a race. If I can do this, y'all can do it.
Alrighty. Thanks so much for sewing along with me today. We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the Heatnbond Soft Stretch Lite Iron-on Adhesive Bolt, 17 in x 20 yds at Linda's Electric Quilters.
