My Sewful Retirement

Scrappy Wonky Star Placemat – Tutorial

Welcome and Happy Friday!

Today I’d like to share how to make a 12 x 18 inch wonky star scrappy patchwork placemat.  They make great gifts for you or someone special.

Materials: (for one placemat)

• 23 – 3 ½ x 3 ½ inch squares for patchwork
• 1 – 3 ½ x 3 ½ inch square for star center
• 4 – 3 x 3 inch squares for star points – cut once on the diagonal
• 1 – 14 x 20 inches batting
• 1 – 14 x 20 inches backing fabric
• 66 inches of 2 ½ inch wide binding

You only need 9 squares to make the wonky star, to make the placemat we will start with 16 (3 ½ x 3 ½ inch) patchwork squares to vary where the center of the star will be. Arrange 16 patchwork squares in a pleasing 4 x 4 layout.

 

Once you decide the star center replace that spot with the 3 ½ x 3 ½ square star center fabric.

 

Lay your star point triangles over the squares surrounding the star center.

 

 

Finger crease a center point in your star point patchwork square.

 

Place one triangle on a patchwork square, right sides facing. Tilting your star point and slanting it in various direction will add the “wonk” to your wonky star. I try to place one end of the triangle near the crease mark.

wonky star step 05

 

Stitch the star point to the patchwork square fabric using a ¼” seam allowance.

wonky star step 06

 

Flip the star point along the stitching line – finger press. Be sure that when folded open after sewing the star fabric will cover all the background area to the edge of the block.

wonky star 07

 

Once the first star point is done, sew the second one in the same way. I use the Clover Roll Press to use for “finger pressing”.  Best tool I own!

Flip your block over so it is face down. Use your patchwork square as a guide to trim up the star fabric so its even with the patchwork square. Once you have trimmed the star fabric you can trim away the fabric underneath to reduce bulk.  *** BE CAREFUL ***

 

Continue to make the 3 other star point blocks. Lay your block like this.

Sew your blocks into rows, and press your seams in opposite directions or open depending on your preference.

 

Create your left and right side borders – 1 x 4 arrangement as shown below.

Sew and press borders to your wonky star unit.

 

Make quilt sandwich: pin or spray baste

• Backing right side down
• Batting
• Placemat right side up

Quilt – I did simple echo stitching along the seams.  This would be a great opportunity to practice FMQ. Trim excess batting and backing.

 

Bind and admire your wonky star placemat!

 

I made a set of 4 to give as a gift.

Please let me know if you have any questions!  I would love to see the placemats you make using this tutorial.

Linking with: Finished Or Not Friday at Busy Hands Quilts

Until next time Happy Sewing!