Patchwork Pocket Placemat Tutorial

Today we have guest blogger, Melissa from My Fabric Relish! She is sharing this darling placemat tutorial for Christmas in July.  This is such a fun idea, and perfect to add a little holiday flare to your Christmas table!  Be sure to stop by Melissa's blog to see all her lovely work! :) 

Howdy y'all! This is Melissa over from my fabric relish and so excited to share something that has been on my Christmas sewing to-do list forever! Right now is the best time to start your Christmas projects, because usually July is when all the yummy Christmas fabric starts hitting the shelves and we all know that once we get into October, time starts going warp speed!

I've had Christmas placemats on my to-do list for several years now and when Lindsey from Fort Worth Fabric Studio asked if I wanted to participate in their Christmas in July series, it was a no brainer!

I designed these placemats for my 47" round kitchen table and made them a bit smaller than normal placemats that you get at the store. I find that the store bought placemats are too large for my table and I hated the way the corners would touch. These are just the perfect size for a plate, silverware, and a cup. If you want to test out what size you should make your placemats, I recommend getting copy paper (tape together) or the large sheet construction paper (that's what I used) to decide on a size and go from there.

I just love these little pockets...it keeps those little hands from reaching up and stealing the silverware and use them as pirate swords (not naming any names....little relish).
You will need:

• (2) charm packs
• (1) yard of Moda linen
• (1) yard print for pocket and binding
• Brown scrap fabrics for tree trunks
• Scrap batting measuring approximately 14 x 18"
• Woven interfacing for appliqué (example: Shape-flex)

Now the fun part!

1. Cut the linen fabric into rectangles approximately 14 x 18". These will be trimmed down to 12.5 x 16.5" once they have been quilted.
2. Choose around 6-9 charms to use as trees. Fuse your interfacing to these charms and cut your triangles. I just made my trees into various sizes using the rotary and ruler. You will also need to fuse the interfacing to the brown scraps you will use for the tree trunks. These were also cut freehanded.

3. For the patchwork back, cut (192) 2.5 inch squares. Since I used my charm pack, I picked out 48 and cut each into 4's.

Arrange the patchwork squares as you like in a 8 x 6 layout.
1. Layout the trees and the trunks how you like on the linen side of your placemat. Remember that the linen piece was cut a bit larger than needed so dont get too close to the edge. I used a glue stick to keep my trees/trunks in place while I appliqued them. I decided to use a raw edge applique and used my triple stitch setting on my machine. I like the look of the thicker stitches.

2. To make the pockets, you will cut (8) 4.5"x7.5" rectangles. Place two rectangles right sides together and sew around three of the sides leaving one side open. Trim your corners, turn and press with the open side folded in. Make sure the folded side is on the bottom when you sew the pockets on later. Repeat 3 more times and set aside.

3. Make the quilt sandwich using the tree/linen side as your back since it's larger. Quilt as desired!

4. You will need 6 WOF(44 inch) strips for the binding. I cut mine at 2.5 inches but you can make yours thinner or wider if you like...totally your preference. Trim up the sides and add your binding using whatever binding technique that works for you

If you want to mix it up a bit, you can do ornaments instead or some other Christmassy silhouette. That's it! Enjoy!

Thanks so much for checking out my placemats and to see more of what I am up to, visit my blog, my fabric relish, or you can follow me on bloglovin!
Melissa