Quilting and Whatnot

Valentine Place Mat

Designer: Jean Korte

Valentine Place Mat

Finished size: 15" x 22.5"

This Valentine Place Mat is easier than it looks! You can make one for each family member or just make one and use in the centre of your table.

Materials and Supplies

A usable fabric width of at least 42 inches is assumed.

1/2 yd of red fabric (or assorted red fabrics totalling this amount.)
1/3 yd of light background fabric. (I have used a neutral tonal print that has a lacy appearance.)
Backing fabric piece 18" x 25"
Batting piece 18" x 25"
Print 3 copies of 1½" HST units from 1 1/2 Inch HST Units
Hint: This place mat is great made from an assortment of red fabrics -- you can even use some of your red Xmas leftovers!!

Cutting

Red Fabric

Cut 5 full width 2" strips. From these:

Cut one 2" x 12½", one 2" x 22½" and 3 two inch squares from each of 2 strips
Cut 20 two inch squares from one strip
Join two 2" strips end to end with an angled seam for binding

Cut one full width, 6 1/2" strip. From this

Cut 2 pieces each 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" and one piece 6 1/2" x 3" for HST units.

Background Fabric

Cut 2 full width 2" strips. From these:

Cut 20 two inch squares from one strip
Cut two strips each 1" x 12½" and 10 two inch squares from the other.

Cut one full width, 6 1/2" strip. From this

Cut 2 pieces each 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" and one piece 6 1/2" x 3" for HST units.

Sewing the HST Units

A total of 40 HST units are required for each place mat. Each page of the 1 1/2" HST pattern makes 18 units.

Place a red and a background 8½" x 6½" fabric piece right sides together. Place the unprinted side of the trimmed HST pattern next to the background fabric. Sew on the dotted lines and cut apart accurately using the solid lines. Press the units before removing the paper. Repeat with a second piece. Cut patterns for 4 more HST units from the third and construct in the same manner.

For more HST unit sewing tips, visit the free HST pattern page.

Sewing the Place Mats

Layout the place mat, following the assembly diagram and join the squares. Sew a one inch background strip to each side. Add the red side borders and then the red top and bottom borders.

Layer, quilt and bind.

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