Makes: Set of 4 Placemats with Removable Covers
Placemat Finished size: 18 ½” x 13”
Project Time: 1 Afternoon
PART 1 – Fabric Cutting
Prewash fabrics to eliminate fabric shrinkage, starch if desired and press.
Use your rotary cutter, cutting mat and quilt ruler.
- Polyester fabric, cut 8 fabric pieces each measuring 19 ½” x 14”
- Trim each of the 4 Novelty Print fat quarters to measure 18 ½” x 13” or cut from assorted ½ yards of fabric, 4 pieces measuring 18 ½” x 13”
- Solid color cotton fabric, cut 4 fabric pieces each measuring 18 ½” x 13”
- Pellon Fusible Featherweight:
Cut 4 pieces each measuring 14” x 19 ½”
Cut 16 pieces each measuring 1 ½” x 1 ½”
PART 2 – Sewing Machine Set Up
Thread sewing machine with coordinating top and bottom threads
Install a fresh new needle. Janome Purple Tip Needle or Topstitch Size 80/12 or 90/14
Set your needle position between 1/16” – 1/8” markings on BI-Level foot or make other
adjustments for edge stitching
Set your sewing speed to Medium Speed
Set the needle in the down position in fabric (If your machine has this function)
Attach BI-Level foot or a standard straight stitch foot.
Select a straight stitch and use standard stitch length of 2.4
PART 3 – Preparing the Placemat Bases with Exposed Trim
1. Following manufacturer’s instructions, fuse 1 piece of featherweight to the reverse side of 4 polyester fabric pieces. For each of the 8 polyester fabric pieces, on the reverse side, use fabric marking pen, mark 1/2” in from raw edges on all 4 sides. Working with long edges first then repeat for the shorter edges, turn & press the raw edges inward to meet the markings. Then press entire piece front and back, press carefully as to not to unfold the already pressed edges.
2. Place 1 prepared with fusible fabric piece on top of 1 unlined fabric piece, wrong sides together, taking time to align the outer edges evenly on all 4 sides. (See additional reference photo’s regarding alignment under Part 4). Then using your BI-Level or straight stitch foot, edge stitch very close along all 4 sides. Back tack on start and end.
PART 4 – Preparing the Decorative Covers
1. Using the 8 pieces of prepared Novelty & Solid Cotton fabric pieces, on the reverse sides, use a fabric marking pen, mark 1 ½” in from raw edges on all 4 sides.
2. Working with long edges first then repeat for the shorter edges, turn the raw edges inward to meet markings & press flat. Use clips to temporarily hold.
3. Then press entire piece front and back. Working with 4 of the prepared fabric pieces, open out the already pressed seams in each corner, align and insert a piece of 1 ½” x 1 ½” fusible featherweight. Use a small dab of washable glue to hold the featherweight in place. Fold the edges inward again and carefully press each corner.
4. Place 1 fabric piece prepared with fusible on top of 1 unlined fabric piece, wrong sides together, taking time to align outer edges on all 4 sides. Use pins or clips to hold pieces together.
5. Then using BI-Level or straight stitch foot edge stitch very close along all 4 sides. Back tack on start and end. 
Designer Tip: If you want to make choose the exact motif to work with or to align a directional motif for the decorative covers. Use a piece of featherweight cut to the same dimensions of the decorative fabric pieces. The featherweight is transparent and allows you to fussy cut the fabric pieces for your decorative covers. Simply place your featherweight on top the fat quarter or yardage, position the featherweight over the motif or pattern as desired and fussy cut your decorative cover using the featherweight as your guide.
Part 5 – Insert the Snaps on the Placemat Bases
1. Gather snap tools. Kam snaps come with 4 different pieces: 2 caps, 1 socket & 1 stud.
2. For each of the prepared placemat bases, you will be installing a cap & socket in each corner. Practice installing a few snaps on scrap fabric first. Next, decide on your snap placement and using a fabric marker, measure & mark a dot to represent the center point of the snap. For this pattern we are leaving an approximate ¾” exposed trim on all 4 sides and the snap placement is approximately 1 ½” in for each corner. Use an awl to poke through all layers for each marked dot. Choose a cap whose prong will be long enough to be fully exposed through multiple layers of fabric. The placement base is thicker than the decorative covers, you will need caps with slightly longer 6.2 mm prongs. Insert the prong from the backside of the placemat. Next place a socket on top of the exposed prong. Set up your KAM plier following KAM instructions. Align the pliers and squeeze firmly. Unlike installing metal snaps, you will not need to squeeze your pliers with too much force because these snaps are made of plastic/resin. Repeat this step for all 4 corners. For images on how to install KAM snaps, refer to photos under Part 6.
Part 6 – Insert the Snaps on the Decorative Covers
1. Gather snap tools again. For each of the prepared decorative covers, you will be installing a cap & stud in each corner.
2. Measure and mark your snap placement to align with the sockets that you previously installed on the placemat base. Proper alignment is an important step here if you want your decorative covers to sit nice and flat. The snap placement is approximately ½” in for each corner. 
3. Again, using an awl to poke through all layers for each marked dot. Next insert a cap with its prong pushed through the right side of the decorative cover exposing the prong on the reverse side, place a stud on top of the prong. Using your pliers squeeze firmly.
4. Check the snap alignment and that each cover snaps securely onto each placement base. You’re finished!
Skip buying traditional placemats and instead make your own set of Quick Change Placemats and then sew lots of extra custom covers to stylishly meet all of your entertainment needs.
Happy Quilting and Sewing!
Heidi
