TrendTex Fabrics LogoTrendTex Fabrics LogoTrendTex Fabrics LogoTrendTex Fabrics Logo
| Home

  • My Account
  • Customer Service
  • Products
    • Fabric
    • Precuts
    • Maple Precuts
    • Batting
    • Kits
    • Patterns
    • Fireside
    • Notions
    • Clearance
  • Free Patterns
  • Catalogues
  • Inspiration
    • Articles
    • Events
  • Clearance
Stacked up Shannon Fabric
Cuddle Up with Shannon Fabrics
December 18, 2021
Patchwork Cushion Tutorial
How to Make A Fun Patchwork Cushion using a Layer Cake
March 24, 2022
  • Articles
  • Projects & Inspiration
  • How to Make Simple Set of Fabric Tablemats Using a Jelly Roll

How to Make Simple Set of Fabric Tablemats Using a Jelly Roll

January 26, 2022
Article Featured Image

Fabric Tablemats – try this beginner-friendly project that you can easily make in a weekend—with just a handful of supplies!

Half a Jelly Roll or one Junior Jelly Roll is just the right amount of fabric to make a set of four tablemats. The only extra fabric you’ll need is the backing, and they’re so fast to make!

Here’s what you’ll need to gather to make your tablemats, each measuring 16 1/2” x 12 1/2”,

  • Sewing Machine
  • Cutting tools: Rotary cutter, mat and ruler
  • 20 Jelly Roll Strips
  • 3/4m backing fabric of your choice
  • Large batting scraps
  • Basting Spray (optional)
  • Wonder Clips (optional)

Choosing Fabric

The fabric featured in the image here is a Junior Jelly Joll of Florida by Ruby Star Society for Moda.
Here are some Jelly Roll options available on the TrendTex Shop that are great options to use in Fabric Tablemats. Junior Jelly Rolls have 20 strips in them, each measuring 2 ½” wide, across the full length of fabric. A regular Jelly Roll contains 40 strips, so you could make up to eight tablemats, or save  the other half for another project.

 Watch this Tiktok video for a quick snapshot of how to create this at home!


Piecing the tops of the Fabric Tablemats

  1. Set aside eight strips for later and cut the remaining 12 strips into squares. You will get 16x 2 ½” x 2 ½” squares from each strip for a total of 192 squares.
  2. Divide each set of 16 matching squares into four so that you have an even mix for each placemat. You should have four piles of 48 squares.
  3. Working with one pile at a time, take two squares and sew them together. You’ll want to make sure that you’re not sewing the same prints together, so  select them randomly, without overthinking it. One way to quickly do this  is to put the squares into a tub and pull them randomly without peeking . Sew all squares into pairs, which will give you  24 units. 
  4. You will now sew these two-square units to another to make a strip of four squares in the same way, and you’ll end up with 12 units. 
  5. Next,  sew two of the four-square units to each other to make six eight-square rows.
  6. Arrange the rows in a way that looks pleasing to you, trying to avoid having the same prints touching when it comes time to  sew the rows together. When you’re satisfied, press the seams alternate ways with a hot iron. If you press the even rows to the left and the odd rows to the right, it makes it easier to match up the seams nicely.
  7. Sew the rows together in the order that you chose to make a piece that is eight squares wide and six squares tall. Give it a good press to make it nice and flat.
  8. Repeat steps 3-7 for the remaining three piles of squares to make all four pieced tops.

Finishing the Fabric Tablemats

  1. Cut your backing fabric into four pieces. They need to measure at least 18” x 15” but it does not have to be accurate at this stage. You also need four pieces of batting, which can be cut from quilt leftovers. Your pieces need to be a little smaller than the backing but larger than the pieced tops.
  2. Lay the backing fabric face down on a table, followed by the batting. Next apply the top face up. You’ll want to make sure there is excess batting and backing on each side. Smooth any wrinkles or folds and baste the layers together. The quickest way to do this is with basting spray, but it can have a strong smell and be quite sticky so it is best  used in well ventilated spaces. However, you could opt  to use safety pins instead. If using the spray, make sure to spray the batting and attach the backing, and then spray the other side of the batting to attach the top and smooth down again. Repeat for all four.
  3. It’s time to quilt! Take your basted quilt sandwich over to your machine. You’re free to quilt however you wish, but if you’d like to match ours, you’ll need to increase your stitch length just a little and use a regular straight stitch or universal machine foot. You may want to change your needle to an 80 or 90 size if not already in your machine.
  4. Align the edge of the foot with one of the seams towards the centre of the mat and sew all the way across. Working from the centre allows any shifting that occurs to distribute outwards and avoid puckering? Rotate 180 degrees and sew another line of stitches on the other side of the seam.
  5. Rotate the quilt 90 degrees and sew one of the seams running the opposite way in the same manner. If you alternate the seams as much as possible, this also aids with a smoother finish. Keep going until you have sewn to the left and the right of all vertical and horizontal seams. Quilt all four tablemats.
  6. Now we need to trim everything ready for binding. Trim down the whole piece until it is 16 ½” x 12 ½”. Start by using your piecing as a guide, but after the first cut, make sure to use your mat as a guide to make ensure you’re cutting evenly and you end up with true rectangles. If your top measures a little less, don’t worry! Just make sure you cut all four pieces down to the same dimensions. 
  7. Remember those eight strips you set aside at the beginning? Now is their time to shine! Sew a pair of strips end to end using a 45 degree angle. You may need to remove selvedges. To do this, your strips will be right sides together and positioned so that they are at 90 degrees. Repeat to make four. (If you need additional binding help, Leah Day has written a comprehensive guide on how to join the ends and mitre corners. You can find it here)
  8. Press the seams open and then fold and press the entire length to make your binding.
  9. Starting from the centre of a longer edge on the back of the table mat, sew the binding into place leaving a tail of 5 inches or so. Mitre the corners as you get to them, and once you get back to the starting edge, leave a large gap to make joining the strips easier.
  10. Join the ends together. We recommend reading how Leah Day does this  if it’s your first time, as this will result in a nice even finish, and is explained very clearly. .
  11. Fold the binding to the front of the mats and clip with Wonder Clips if you wish. Sew in place as close to the edge as you can. You’ll want to make sure that the folded edge is clear of the original line of stitching throughout so that not only the front looks great, but it looks even on the back too. Once all four tablemats are bound, admire your work! 

Did you make this at home? We’d love to see your creations. Tag us on Instagram or Facebook so we can see your design! #TrendTexFabrics @trendtexfabrics 

Shop Fabric from Moda
Share
0

Related posts

Lucky Clover Mug Rug
January 30, 2023

Lucky Clover Mug Rug Tutorial


Read more
notebook cover tutorial
January 13, 2023

Notebook Cover Tutorial


Read more
Valentine’s Heart Decoration Tutorial
January 6, 2023

Valentine’s Heart Decoration Tutorial


Read more

Comments are closed.

Search

About us

TrendTex is the leading Wholesale Distributor in Canada for independent retailers focused on the quilting and home sewing markets.

Categories

  • Featured Designers
  • Projects & Inspiration

Archives

Similar Articles

  • Lucky Clover Mug Rug
    Lucky Clover Mug Rug Tutorial
    January 30, 2023
  • notebook cover tutorial
    Notebook Cover Tutorial
    January 13, 2023
  • Valentine’s Heart Decoration Tutorial
    Valentine’s Heart Decoration Tutorial
    January 6, 2023
  • Hexie Pincushion Tutorial
    Hexie Pincushion How-To
    December 5, 2022
  • Drawstring Bag
    Drawstring Bag Tutorial
    November 4, 2022
  • Stocking by the fireplace
    Christmas Stocking Tutorial with Shannon Cuddle Fabric
    October 26, 2022
  • Reusable baby wipes
    Handmade Baby Projects Tutorials
    October 12, 2022
  • Reusable baby wipes
    Baby Tutorial: Reusable Baby Wipes
    October 8, 2022
  • No-scratch baby mittens
    Baby Tutorial: No-Scratch Baby Mittens
    October 3, 2022
  • Baby burp cloth
    Baby Tutorial: How to Make a Baby Burp Cloth
    September 14, 2022
  • Baby Taggie Blanket Toy
    Baby Tutorial: Taggie Blanket Toy
    August 19, 2022
  • Baby Taggie Blanket Toy
    Pouch Tutorial: How to Make a Patchwork Pencil Pouch
    July 28, 2022
  • advent calendar
    The Easiest-Ever Advent Calendar Project!
    June 12, 2022

TRENDTEX RETAIL PARTNER PROGRAM

TrendTex is proud to partner with Canadian quilt shops. A portion of the proceeds from each purchase you make at shop.trendtexfabrics.com will be shared with the Canadian quilt shop of your choice. At checkout, simply select the retail store you want to support and leave the rest to us. Thank you for supporting Canadian quilt shops!

ACCOUNTS AND ORDERS

  • My Account
  • Order Tracking
  • My Shopping Cart
  • My Profile
  • My Purchase Lists

CUSTOMER SERVICE

  • FAQ’s
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Locations
  • Spring 2020 Releases

INSPIRATION

  • Articles
  • Events

TRENDTEX FABRICS INC.

1317 Kebet Way
Port Coquitlam BC
Canada V3C 6G1

1.800.667.9448
604.941.4620
mail@trendtexfabrics.com

© TrendTex Fabrics Library. All Rights Reserved.