How to Make a Zigzag Placemat

The full tutorial is in the video below with Jenny Doan, and watching her do it makes the tricky parts click.

Decorate your dining room with these beautiful quilted zigzag placemats. It’s a simple project with easy-to-follow instructions. You can play with different colors and patterns to add contrast or match your other decor pieces. These also make as great gifts to your family and friends. Learn how to make a zigzag placemat through this tutorial by Missouri Star Quilt Company.

Materials:

5-inch squares
backing fabric
batting fabric

Instructions:

Step 1:

Get 2 pieces of 5-inch squares in different prints and place them on top of each other right sides together. Sew a quarter-inch seam allowance on two opposite sides.

Step 2:

Cut into 4 equal 2.5″ squares. Do the same for the other 5″ squares. Once done, press to the darker side.

Step 3:

Start with one two-patch in one corner. Next, get two pieces of two-patch and place them below the first one. Align the inside squares of both of them to the one on top. It will be a staggered design, continue adding until you reach 8 pieces of 2.5″ squares. So the pattern will be, 2, 4, 6, and 8 pieces of 2.5″ squares for the first part.

How to Make a Zigzag Placemat Tutorial — Image by: Missouri Star Quilt Company

Step 4:

Make another layer with 8 pieces of 2.5″ squares or 4 pieces of two-patch blocks. Instead of continuing the staggering pattern downward, move it one square up. Next, add one more row of 8 pieces of 2.5″ squares and move it one square up again.

Step 5:

After the 3 rows of 8s, go back to 6s in the next row then followed by 4s and lastly 2s.

How to Make a Zigzag Placemat Quilt — Image by: Missouri Star Quilt Company

Step 6:

Sew each row first, then press each row in alternating directions. Once done, take the first two rows and align them in the middle. Sew them together and give them good press. Do the same for the other rows. After that, sew all rows together.

Step 7:

Place your backing fabric on top of the batting. Place your placemat right side down on the backing. Secure it with pins. Follow the edge with a quarter-inch seam allowance, but make sure to leave an opening.