Gifted Placemats

This time of the year, I am always looking for gift ideas.

And we all know that quilted gifts are the best way to show that you care.

I came up with an idea for a placemat that looks like the top of a package. Complete with bows (inspired by four patch blocks from the EQ8 library).

I kept them simple -- so that there is plenty of time to piece and quilt these before your next holiday event.

​Scroll down for the tutorial.

-- Announcement --

Make sure to get registered for the free Electric Quilt live webinar that will be happening right after Christmas (choose between times on December 30 or 31).  More information below.

How often do you look at a cute quilt on Pinterest or in a favorite magazine  and wish you knew how you could harness your own inner creativity to create your own quilted work of art.  I am super excited to share with you how to use your favorite blocks (or create new ones) -- and turn them into a personal masterpiece.
​
Imagine a world where you can:

• Confidently draft blocks using an easy to master formula, to create a personal library of designs for your future quilts.
• Create a layout that allows your blocks to shine (even when they are not all the same size).
• Experiment with various fabric collections to find the perfect match for your blocks and personal style.
• Easily swap out blocks in your quilt -- until your find the perfect design.  Just for you!

​
Join me for an enlightening live webinar where I will guide you through every step of the process, focusing on creating Mix and Match Winter Wall Hanging blocks and quilts.

In this exclusive webinar, you'll:

​Learn to draft a series of blocks suitable for a winter wall hanging.

Discover the power of custom set as you combine blocks of different sizes in your quilt -- and add spacers to fill in the holes.   ​

Learn how to design additional blocks that can be replacements for blocks in your first quilt.

Learn to create a touch of whimsy with added embellishments and embroidery to your design.

Register now to secure your stop for this exclusive webinar.

---

Date and Time

Registration Link

Local Time

Monday, December 30
10 am Central Time

Dec 30 10 am Registration

Time Zone Converter

Monday, December 30
7 pm Central Time

Dec 30 7 pm Registration

Time Zone Converter

Tuesday, December 31
3 pm Central Time

Dec 31 3 pm Registration

Time Zone Converter

Gifted Placemats EQ8 Tutorial

To get started on your gifted placemats, set up a new project in Electric Quilt and load a fabric collection of your choice.

For fabric, I chose to use the White Linen Christmas Collection by Northcott.  This collection is included in Stash Download #1 for 2023.

If you don't have the EQ stash collection, feel free to download the fabrics directly from the Northcott site. 

When you are using the Northcott site, make sure to use the Download Fabric Files button to obtain the zip file.

White Linen Christmas Collection from Northcott

While I used the White Linen Christmas Collection for the placemats in the video,  for my extra projects I decided to play with:

• Woodland Woolies designed by Deborah Edwards for Northcott
• Cotswold Holiday Collection by Morris & Co for Free Spirit

​Both of these were part of a 2024 Stash Collection from Electric Quilt.

Design a basic placemat block in EasyDraw.  I suggest using the size of 18 x 12 (which is a pretty standard placemat size).

Draw the ribbons and add a square around the ribbon for the "bow".  When drawing the square make sure to extend one of the lines to the outside edge of the block.  This will ensure you block will stay piecing friendly.

​Make sure to save (add to sketchbook) after drawing your basic block.

Basic Placemat Block Drawn in Easy Draw with Spaces for the Bow

Here are the blocks I used as inspiration for the "bow" portion of my placemats.  These are from the Four Patch category in the EQ8 Block Library.  But there are so many more to chose from.

Take a quarter of the inspiration blocks and draft it in the squares in the EasyDraw placemat block.

Turnstyle Block

Whirlpool Block

School Girls Puzzle Block

Flying-X Block

Watch the video tutorial for step by step instructions fon creating your own gifted placemats.

Here are the finished quilts from the video.

Turnstyle Placemat

Whirlpool Placemat

School Girls Puzzle Placemat

Flying-X Placemat

I am looking forward to see how you will design your placemat.  Which block will you use for your bow? Share your design in the Learning EQ Facebook Group.

Learning EQ Facebook Group Post for Gifted Placemats

Happy quilting.

​Kari

Join the On Point Quilter weekly newsletter and receive regular tips and inspiration on using Electric Quilt 8 along with the  Free 12 Top
Tips for EQ8 video guide.