Making and Attaching the Ties
The ties require 2 strips of the accent fabric (piece G).
The easiest way I found to make the ties is with the Clover
Bias Tape Maker. The bias tape makers come in many different sizes and I use the 1 inch one for the ties. The tape maker
is very simple to use and for some step by step instructions
check out my tutorial on making ties or drawstrings.
The strips in the blog are much longer than what is needed
for the ties. I made the strips 18 inches for this project. Once
the strips are made then the next step is to fold over the
fabric, press it well with steam and topstitch down the edge
just as we did with the napkin bands an 1⁄8" from the edge.
I zigzagged one end of the tie so that it wouldn’t fray. I had
no issue sewing a zigzag stitch on this tiny bit of material
using the IDT system and open toed decorative foot. To finish off the ties I tied a little knot at the end of each tie. Now
they’re ready to be attached to the place-mat.
Ties sewn to the back of the place-mat.
Attach the two ties to the back of the place-mat between
the napkin holders. Stitch them in place with an 1⁄8" seam.
When the binding is attached the ¼" seam will further secure them in place.
Binding the Placemat
The binding requires two strips (Piece H) of which ever fabric
you want to bind it in, I used the dragonfly fabric.
Make and attach the binding using your favorite method. My
favorite method is to sew the binding on the front and then
hand sew it to the back. If you’d like some help with binding
you can check out these two tutorials on how to make binding and how to attach binding to a quilt.
When I’m hand stitching the binding in place I use the red
Wonder Clips from Clover to keep the fabric in place. I love
these little red clips. Prior to finding these I never used anything and now I don’t bind without them.
Binding clipped in place for hand sewing to the back.
So the project is all done and dusted. Can you stop at just
one? I don’t think I can.
Using Up the Leftover Bits of Fabric
I made a coaster from the left over bits of fabric that I had
and quilted it with some decorative stitching. What a great
time I had playing with the decorative stitches on the Pfaff
Quilt Expression 4.2 – only 200 + to choose from. I have managed to use a few stitches today and a few last month. The
bias binding was a bit tricky attaching the ends together due
to the size of the project but I was successful. Where there’s a
will there’s a way. The coaster folds in half and can be stowed
with the napkin.
Adding in the Easy Quilt Blocks
I was very excited about this little project and once I made
the first one with plain pieces of fabric I decided to use up
those easy quilt blocks that I made when I first started.
I cut them up and used them for the utensil holder, napkin
bands and coasters. It worked out just perfectly and I love
how the blocks add just a little bit of pizazz to the placemats. Each one is definitely unique.
Leftover fabric with decorative stitching make a great coaster to
go with the on-the-go place-mat.
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