Stacked Bars Placemat Tutorial
Make a unique placemat and table runner quickly and easily with reversible patchwork. This project is a great stash-buster that looks nice in any fabric combination.
See it All
Below you will find:
- fabric requirements
- video tutorial
- step-by-step written tutorial with pictures
- samples with different fabrics
- table runner variation
- more projects with this technique
Fabric requirements
You can use any type of woven fabric for this project, but it lends itself to reversible fabrics such as solids or batiks. Scroll down to see samples.
Fabric for one placemat
- six strips 2-1/2″ x 10″
- four strips 2-1/2″ x 12″
Video
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Tutorial
This placemat is made with reversible patchwork, not traditional quilting. That means that it is only one layer of fabric – there is no batting or backing.
If you are new to the technique, pay close attention to the seam method. It isn’t difficult, but it is different.
Make the strip sets
Join the six 10″ strips of fabric together into a strip set. You can choose to join the fabrics randomly, or in a specific pattern.
All seams are done with the reversible patchwork seam technique. If you haven’t done this before, go to the seam tutorial and follow the steps closely. Don’t use a regular 1/4″ seam.
If you are using reversible fabric like solids or batiks, it doesn’t matter what sides you put together. For other fabrics, place them wrong sides together for stitching.
Once the six strips have been joined, trim the sides so that they are straight.
Join the 12″ strips together in pairs. You will have two pairs for each placemat.
Assemble the placemat
Join the 12″ pairs onto the sides of the 10″ strip set.
The 12″ sides should be a bit longer than the strip set. Don’t worry about trimming until after everything is assembled.
It will be easier to join if the side strip is laid under the centre section for the first part of the seam.
Have fun playing with different fabric layouts before assembling the placemat.
Trim and hem
Once all the pieces are assembled, trim the sides so that they are straight.
Finish the edges with a simple 1/4″ hem. Stitch one side at a time.
Notice that all the seams are finished on both sides. If you used reversible fabric, the placemat is totally reversible.
Samples
Batik is always a beautiful option. The fabric is reversible and has a special glow. This sample is made with stash builder strips from Island Batik.
This placemat is made with solid fabrics from Cherrywood fabrics. This fabric has a great texture that almost looks like suede. It is beautiful with this technique.
This placemat is made with two coordinating floral fabrics. Even with only two fabrics, it looks nice.
Try using leftover 2-1/2″ strips from your stash to see what combinations you can make!
Table runner variation
It is easy to adapt this pattern for a coordinating table runner.
Just repeat the number of strips sets to get the length that you need.
More Projects
Like this technique? Check out these other projects made with reversible patchwork. Patterns available in my shop.