Introducing my latest pattern: Fresh Start placemats. I am starting a new adventure in 2021, as a Brand Ambassador for Island Batik fabrics! I will be creating projects throughout the year with materials they provide, and January’s assignment was placemats.

Fresh Start Placemats

I chose a variety of browns from the stash-builder packs and paired them with Glacier, one of Island Batik’s Foundation fabrics that are always available.

Then, I played with some half-square triangle designs and chose four patterns to use as the center of each placemat.

12″ by 18″ seems to be a useful size for placemats, so I added some borders in brown, and then an accent row of half-square triangles on one side.

Watch this video to see my favorite methods for making half-square triangles.

I used an Island Batik Black solid for the backing and binding. Many thanks to industry partners Aurifil (thread), Schmetz (needles) and Hobbs (batting) for providing the additional materials I needed to finish my placemats!

In fact, any time you want to make a square quilt more rectangular, just mix up the width of your borders. There are no rules saying every side of your project has to be the same size! I share some tips for doing the math to create additional borders in this video.

My fellow Ambassadors

I am honored to be among the fabulous group of quilters who were selected as Island Batik Ambassadors this year. We have some exciting blog hops coming up throughout the year. Visit them now to see their placemat projects.

Megan at Best Quilter

Pamela at Pamela Quilts

Elizabeth at Epida Studio

Jennifer at Archipelago Quilting

Jennifer at The Inquiring Quilter

Preeti at Sew Preeti Quilts

Joanne at Unicorn Harts

Mania at Mania for Quilts

Jane at Stitch by Stitch

Connie at Kauffman Designs

Emily at The Darling Dogwood

Denise at For the Love of Geese

Leah at Quilted Delights

Sally Manke – Fiber Artist

Maryellen at Mary Mack Made Mine

Claudia at Create with Claudia

Gail at Quilt Haven Threads

Brianna at Sew Cute and Quirky

Michelle at Creative Blonde

Quilting Gail

Jennifer of Curlicue Creations

Suzy of Webster Quilt

Janet of Whispers of Yore

Get started on your Fresh Start placemats today – find the pattern here.