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From: InABind
Date: 02-17-2006, 10:45 AM (1 of 14)
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My first project was to make placements. The pattern was supposed to be for beginners. It called for rectangle pieces for back, front and batting to be sandwiched, sewed then turned inside out and finished. Well I did this, but after everything is sewed and turned to be finished, all the edges are so thick because of all the material and batting, and the middle is limp! LOL! So I turned this into a pillow for my cat ...sigh.... I don't think it's anything I did because I don't think you can get around this, but of course, this is the first thing I've ever sewed, so who knows. I still have more material and am bound and determined to sew a placemat. Any suggestions? I don't want to use the pattern from above, because I would probably end up with same results. Is there something other than batting I can use between material to give it some "oomph"? someone told me to use "binding" and not sew on wrong side? .... binding? what is that? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks! |
User: InABind
Member since: 02-02-2006 Total posts: 12 |
From: carman
Date: 02-17-2006, 10:51 AM (2 of 14)
| what kind of batting did you use? i use thin batting all the time. |
User: carman
Member since: 04-17-2000 Total posts: 692 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 02-17-2006, 10:53 AM (3 of 14)
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I made some but I sewed them wrong sides together with batting in between and bound the edges with bias cut fabric. They turned out great. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: InABind
Date: 02-17-2006, 11:02 AM (4 of 14)
| I used something called "Needled Cotton Batting" from Joanns- preshrunk, 80 cotton/20 poly. It seems thin enough, but I haven't a clue. What should I be using? |
User: InABind
Member since: 02-02-2006 Total posts: 12 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 02-17-2006, 11:59 AM (5 of 14)
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I think the problem is the bulk from the seams. Try just binding the edges with bias tape of fabric cut on the bias. You could match or contrast. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: bridesmom
Date: 02-17-2006, 05:21 PM (6 of 14)
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here's a link that shows how to do binding. http://craftandfabriclinks.com/TIPS/assemblebindqlt.html You could do it with bias binding you make from your placemat fabric, or you could use bias tape bought in the fabric store, they come in lots of different solid colors and some patterned. I'd go for the double wide, cause its way easier to sew with!! When Dorothy explained how she did it, she's right on. You put your placemat together like it would be finished, top of fabric, batting, bottom of fabric, you can sew a basting stitch around the edges to keep it all in place. Then you sew the binding on to the edge of the placemat, right sides together, with a 5/8" seam, or along the crease of the bias tape. Then you press it, fold it over and sew down the other side. It is really easy, and the link shows you how to do the mitred corners. Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: InABind
Date: 02-17-2006, 06:09 PM (7 of 14)
Thanks so much! I will try with the binding - I will purchase some. All I want to do right now is get ONE placemat done right (you know, so it LOOKS like a placemat  !What else would be good easy begginer projects? If you could provide links, all the better. Hope you all have a great weekend and thanks again for your help! |
User: InABind
Member since: 02-02-2006 Total posts: 12 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 02-17-2006, 06:53 PM (8 of 14)
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If you have a quilter's store nearby you might look for bias tape there. The one near here has some beautiful bias tape that they sell by the yard. It comes in lots of colors and patterns and is nice and wide. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 02-17-2006, 07:02 PM (9 of 14)
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The person showing me how to sew placemats that were sewed like yours told me to cut the batting to fit just to the seam lines and only catch a little bit close to each corner in the stitches.. then when you turn to the right side, you don't have a lot of extra bulk at the seam lines..I make clutch purses a lot and quilt them and I always use that method to make my rectangle first, then quilt it in straight lines about an inch apart in both directions. (making squares).. then I finish the purse by sewing sides together and putting a button and loop closing and Voila!! a finished clutch purse.. Every time I see a rectangular place mat, I think of my simple purse..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: carman
Date: 02-17-2006, 07:10 PM (10 of 14)
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these will give you some construction ideas http://craftandfabriclinks.com/freepatterns/placemats.html http://www.quiltbus.com/placemat.htm |
User: carman
Member since: 04-17-2000 Total posts: 692
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From: AndreaSews
Date: 02-17-2006, 07:45 PM (11 of 14)
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You can sew with right sides together, the way you have, but clip the batting very close to stitching before you turn it right side out. After you turn it and hand-stitch the small opening that remains, press with iron. If it's not quite as flat as you like, you could top-stitch all around the edge, very close to the edge, and that will keep it nice and flat no matter what.
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
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From: HeyJudee
Date: 02-17-2006, 07:53 PM (12 of 14)
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When I made some placemats, I used a thin polyester quilt batting. It was thinner than the cotton batting and there was little or no bulk in the seams.
TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366 
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From: gm23237
Date: 02-26-2006, 11:17 AM (13 of 14)
| I do not use batting at all for placemats. But, I will try it the next time I sew placemats. |
User: gm23237
Member since: 11-03-2003 Total posts: 145 
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From: esrun3
Date: 02-28-2006, 11:48 AM (14 of 14)
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I was taught to use fusible fleece on placemats. Cut to the same size as placemat, fuse to one fabric, put right sides together with 2nd fabric, sew, turn, iron and sew about 1/2-1" inside as a border. They turn out well every time. You could try trimming your batting before turning also.
Lyn
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User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
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