Squares Placemat

The 12” by 18” (finished) placemat is made up of 3” squares. Each placemat takes 24 squares.

To Make 3 Placemats:

Cut 2 – 3-1/2” strips the width of the fabric (WOF) (at least 42” long) of each of 3 different fabrics.

Cut each strip into 3-1/2” squares.

Each strip should give you 12 squares (12 x 3-1/2” = 42”). To get 3 placemats from a set of 6 strips, you have 8 squares of each fabric for each placemat. The only waste will be the selvages that are cut off the strips.

Lay out the squares together to create a random pattern, or create diagonal lines of similar squares as shown in the photo.

Probably the easiest way to sew all the squares together is to start by stacking each vertical row of squares in the order laid out. The square on the top of each pile is from the top row and the square on the bottom is from the bottom row.

Mark the stacks so you know which vertical it is.

Then 2 pairs of squares can be chained stitched together for each vertical row. Then the rows can be stitched together.

With 4 squares in each vertical row, you have an even number of pairs. Shown here with all the pairs of squares stitched and laid out in desired design.

Chain stitch the pairs for each vertical row together.

Then all the vertical rows can be sewn.

Vertical rows are all sewn together – the entire top of the placemat is ready for pressing.

Once it is pieced and pressed, the placemat top should be 12-1/2” by 18-1/2”.

It is ready to be sandwiched with batting and a backing. Quilt as desired.