Download PDF

Quilted Tablerunner and Placemats with Tea Set Embroidery

For this set of a table runner and 4 placemats we used the embroidery designs from the One-Color Tea Set for the large (5" x 7") hoop. This tutorial explains how to make the placemats. The tutorial for the table runner can be found here.

Besides embroidery thread (either polyester or rayon), you will need

light-weight cut-away stabilizer,
light-colored cotton fabric for embroidery; we used pale salmon pink and pale lilac,
bright cotton fabric for the first border and the binding; we used salmon pink and purple,
patterned cotton fabric for the borders to match the other fabrics,
embroidery threads (either polyester or rayon) to match the color of the fabric; we used dark burgundy and purple,
batting and backing,
quilting thread to match the fabrics,
quilter's ruler and rotary cutter (or graphic pencil and sharp scissors).

The Placemats

The finished size of each table mat is about 14" x 18". The pink and lilac mats are slightly different.

Cutting:

For one pink placemat out of pale pink fabric, cut

1 rectangle measuring 8 1/2 x 12 1/2" and
4 squares measuring 1 1/2" x 1 1/2".

Out of salmon pink , cut

2 strips measuring 1 1/2" x 8 1/2",
2 strips measuring 1 1/2" x 12 1/2"

Out of patterned pink fabric, cut

a strip measuring 2 1/2" x 10 1/2" and
a strip measuring 2 1/2" x 18 1/2".

For one lilac placemat out of pale lilac fabric, cut

1 rectangle measuring 8 1/2 x 12 1/2" and
4 squares measuring 1 1/2" x 1 1/2".

Out of purple fabric, cut

2 strips measuring 1 1/2" x 8 1/2",
2 strips measuring 1 1/2" x 12 1/2" and
4 squares measuring 2 1/2" x 2 1/2"

Out of patterned puple fabric, cut

a strip measuring 2 1/2" x 10 1/2" and
a strip measuring 2 1/2" x 14 1/2".

For the binding use either salmon pink or puple fabric. Cut 2-3 strips 2 1/2" wide and the length of the width of the fabric.

Assembly of the Top:

Pink Placemat: sew the pink 1 1/2" x 12 1/2" strips to the upper and lower edges of the central part.

Sew the 1 1/2" pale pink squares to the ends of the 1 1/2" x 8 1/2" pink strips.

Sew the new strips to the left and right edges of the central part.

Sew the 2 1/2" x 10 1/2" pattened pink strips to the left and right edges of the working piece.

Sew the 2 1/2" x 18 1/2" strips to the upper and lower edges of the working piece.

Lilac Placemat: sew the lilac 1 1/2" x 12 1/2" strips to the upper and lower edges of the central part.

Sew the 1 1/2" pale lilac squares to the ends of the 1 1/2" x 8 1/2" lilac strips.

Sew the new strips to the left and right edges of the central part.

Sew the patterned 2 1/2" x 14 1/2" strips to the upper and lower edges of the working piece.

Sew the purple 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" squares to the ends of the 2 1/2" x 10 1/2" strips.

Sew the new strips to the left and right edges of the working piece.

Embroidery:

Stabilize the fabric with the light-weight cut-away stabilizer. Embroider on each of the light rectangles a tea cup and a tea pot.

Quilting and Finishing:

Now place the backing on a flat surface (table) face down. Cover with batting. Spread your working piece over it.

Pin all three layers together with 1" pins and start quilting. We quilted in a free motion style all over the top.

After the quilting is finished, press the work with heavy steam and square the work -- all corners should be 90 degrees and opposite sides should be of the same length.

Finish the raw edges with the binding.