Herringbone Placemats with A Spoonful of Sugar

Hi, Friends. Deb Zaleski with you today. There’s something truly special about combining beautiful fabric with a practical, everyday project, and quilted placemats are the perfect place to start. In this tutorial, we’ll be working with the charming new collection A Spoonful of Sugar by Jennifer Long of Sew A Story for Riley Blake Designs, a delightful blend of soft colors, playful prints, and sweet details that bring warmth and personality to any table setting.

Whether you’re sewing for your home, creating a thoughtful handmade gift, or simply looking for a satisfying project to enjoy, these quilted placemats are both beginner-friendly and rewarding to make. Let’s dive in and transform these lovely fabrics into something functional, cozy, and uniquely yours.

It’s time to get creative, gather your supplies and tools, and let’s get started. Be sure to download the ¼ circle template I’ve created to make trimming your placemats easy and perfectly consistent.

SUPPLIES:

• StitchnSew Sew-in Fleece (1 yard for 4 placemats)
• Sparkle Paste
• A Spoonful of Sugar Sparkle Stencil
• A Spoonful of Sugar fat quarter bundle
• Spraynbond Basting Adhesive
• 1.5 yards cotton for backing and bias tape
• Pre-made tea towel
• Thread
• DMC Pearl cotton size 8

TOOLS:

• Olfa rotary cutter
• Olfa self-healing mat
• Quilting ruler
• Water-soluble fabric marker
• Sewing machine
• Oliso M3Pro Project Iron and ironing mat
• Scissors
• ¼ circle template PDF

GETTING STARTED:

1. Download and print the ¼ circle template listed above under TOOLS. Print actual size – DO NOT “fit to page” or “shrink to fit".

2. Cut multiple fabric strips 2.5" wide (WOF or desired length). Mix prints and colors as desired for a balanced look. Sub-cut 2.5” strips to obtain 2.5” x 6” rectangles.

3. Lay out 8 rectangles, but instead of aligning them evenly, offset each rectangle 1" in the same direction. Think of a staircase or stepped layout, each piece shifts slightly to one side. Sew them together along the long edges using a ¼” seam allowance. Press seams to one side. A total of 4 units are needed to make 1 placemat

4. Repeat the process with another 8 rectangles, but offset each rectangle 1" in the opposite direction. This creates a mirror image of your first strip set. Sew and press.

5. Using your ruler (like in your photo) cut both strip sets at a 60° angle. Keep cuts consistent across both sets

6. Take one unit from each strip set, place them right sides together, matching the long angled edges. Because of the offset, the seams will interlock visually, creating the herringbone effect. Sew with 1/4" seam allowance. Press.

7. Continue joining units: Alternate pieces from each strip set.The herringbone pattern will appear automatically. Once all 4 units are assembled press the full panel flat. Fold the panel in two and again in two. Use the template to trim the panel into a circle

PREPARE THE QUILT SANDWICH:

8. Layer them as follows: Backing (right side down), Batting, Placemat top (right side up)

Smooth out all layers and remove any wrinkles. Secure the layers with Spraynbond Basting Adhesive.

9. Quilt your placemat as desired.

Some great options for this design:

• Straight-line quilting following the herringbone seams
• Echo quilting around the shapes
• Simple diagonal lines for a modern look

Hand quilting option with pearl cotton

For a soft, textured, and decorative finish, hand quilting with DMC pearl cotton is a beautiful choice. The running stitch is beginner-friendly and perfectly complements the herringbone design.

Tips for hand quilting:

• Work with a comfortable thread length (about 18–24")
• Tie a small knot at the end and bury it between the layers
• Use a simple running stitch, keeping stitches as even as possible
• Aim for a relaxed, slightly organic look, perfection is not necessary!

BINDING:

10. Attach the binding to the front using a 1/4" seam allowance, ease the binding gently around curves, fold the binding to the back and stitch in place by hand or machine. Take your time around curves to keep everything smooth and even.

Give your finished placemat a final press to set the seams and smooth everything out.

DECORATIVE TEA TOWEL:

Create a table that feels as beautiful as it is welcoming. Layer your quilted placemats with a soft decorative tea towel. Add sweet details to your towel by using Sparkle Paste and the Sparkle Stencil that matches perfectly with the fabric collection, A Spoonful of Sugar.

Thanks for joining me in creating these whimsical placemats, I set out to combine that classic herringbone look with the sweetness and charm of Jennifer’s collection, while also playing with color placement and layered texture. The goal was to create a piece that feels both modern and traditional, something that highlights the fabric while adding depth through piecing and quilting.. I hope I’ve inspired you to try something new. If you liked this project, please let me know by posting a comment. And don’t forget to stop by my Instagram and say HI!
-- Deb

Written by Deb Zaleski