Log Cabin Placemat Tutorial
This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share a commission.How would you like to make some easy quilted log cabin placemats? These would be perfect to use any time of the year but the colors in these are perfect for autumn. I have an easy tutorial to share with you.
I originally shared some Christmas log cabin placemats that I made and mentioned that I would do a tutorial. Would you believe I wrote that post in 2012 and I never wrote the tutorial!
Anyway, yesterday someone sent me an email asking if I had ever written the tutorial and it was embarrassing to reply saying that I hadn’t. I have now made these 3 different ways and have a 4 page PDF that easily shows you how to make them.
Get the 3 different Log Cabin Placemats PDF
Log Cabin Placemat Tutorial
This log cabin quilt pattern is also called Courthouse Steps.
I dug into my scraps of batiks to make these beautiful placemats that will be perfect on our table this fall. Since I used scraps, I am not including yardage directions in this tutorial.
The following directions are for one placemat
First step:
- Sew with a ¼ inch seam allowance
- All batik strips are first cut into 1½” strips then sub-cut to the size needed
First strips:
- Choose a contrasting color for your center strip, cut it 1½” x 4½”
- Cut two strips 1½” x 4½” from the dark batiks
- Sew together as shown – this is the center of your placemat
Step 2
- Choose lighter colored batiks for the side strips and dark batiks for the center strips
- Cut two 1½” x 5½” light strips and sew one to each side of your center
- Always press toward the strip you just added
Step 3
- Cut two 1½” x 6½” dark strips and sew one to the top and bottom
Step 4
- Cut two 1½” x 7½” light strips and sew one to each side of your center
Step 5
- Cut two 1½” x 8½” dark strips and sew one to the top and bottom
Continue adding more strips
I know I took photos of all of the steps for adding the strips but I can’t find the photos.
Here are all of the cutting sizes you will use to make the placemat.
Center:
- A – cut one 1½” x 4½” strip
Dark batiks:
- B – cut two 1½” x 4½” strips
- D – cut two 1½” x 6½” strips
- F – cut two 1½” x 8½” strips
- H – cut two 1½” x 10½” strips
- J – cut two 1½” x 12½” strips
- L – cut two 1½” x 14½” strips
Light batiks:
- C – cut two 1½” x 3½” strips
- E – cut two 1½” x 5½” strips
- G – cut two 1½” x 7½” strips
- I – cut two 1½” x 9½” strips
- K – cut two 1½” x 11½” strips
- M – cut two 1½” x 13½” strips
I always find it easier to look at a diagram. If you are like that, then use this to layout your strips.
Add a backing and batting and quilt, I always like to cut my backing and batting about two inches larger than the placemat.
Quilting:
I was in the mood for some fast free-motion quilting so I just did a little freehand serpentine stitching. I don’t worry about being perfect.
You can see that I did the “wiggle” stitch along each seam. This is a great way to practice free-motion quilting if you are a beginner.
I had enough of one of the dark batiks to use for my binding. I cut 2½” strips and used this machine binding tutorial to add it.
Most of the time I would use different batiks for each row of the log cabin block but I was in a hurry so I actually used several of the batiks more than once.
We have a tiny table in our kitchen now so that is why I chose the size of 13½” x 16½” for my placemats. If you would like yours bigger you would continue to add strips.
If you make any log cabin placemats using this tutorial, I would love to see them! It always makes me so happy to receive a photo in my email from someone who has created something with one of my tutorials or patterns!
Take a look at my Christmas Log Cabin placemats! I think you’ll really like the m made with beautiful red and green batiks.
Get the 3 different Log Cabin Placemats PDF
Looking for a Log Cabin pillow? Check out my Log Cabin Deer.
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About Connie
Hi, I’m Connie Kresin Campbell, the quilter, writer, and photographer behind Freemotion By the River. I enjoy inspiring others with my quilt tutorials and patterns. You’ll also see my sweet adopted dogs from time to time.
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This placemat is yummy. I have made log cabins before, but this will be my first court steps LC. Looking very forward to making this one and perhaps I will use the deer template from the LC pillow. This design should also make a nice pillow. Thanks for sharing and the appreciated and useful tips and information.
Love these – and the colors are perfect! I pulled out my batiks and made a quilt and I forgot how nice it is to work with. I love the prints of cats and dogs, etc but nothing beats the batik. Thanks!
I absolutely love your choice of colors and patterns, they look so elegant. Thank you for sharing your talent. You are an inspiration.
Thank you for this tutorial. The batiks are so pretty together. I hope to have a go at making some of these soon. I also love your beautiful drop-sided table.
Nice…very pretty Autumn colors, and they go great with the table and cabinetry.
Very creative and beautifully done! You are an accomplished crafter and blogger. Thank you so much! I wish I would have kept up my projects!
Connie Dear thank you for sharing your tutorial to make these lovely Log Cabin Placemats. Your “tiny table” looks perfect in your new kitchen. Fall is in the air. We still have ZERO rain which is very bizarre. September Bliss…
Thank you for all the great patterns! Love them
Hey Connie!
I’ve never been very big on the Log Cabin pattern but yours are beautiful. I love the fall colors and since I’m not any good at FMQ I love the “wiggly” pattern. Seems nice and easy. Now it’s time to start Christmas projects- I think your pattern would look great in Christmas colors!!! Be well.
Carla
Cobourg,Ontario, Canada
Love placemats and love these placemats. I have a different set of placemats to use for every month of the year.
I think I will probably make some of these. Thank you. One problem though, did you put a block on copying the pictures. Makes it kind of hard to print out directions so I don’t have to keep coming back to my computer.
Stunning busting to have a go at those such a clever lady. 💓
Great placemats!! I thought this pattern was Courthouse Steps…I’ll have to check now!! Definitely perfect for autumn!!
Thank you for sharing this pattern!!!
Love these placemats!! Is this design also called Courthouse Strps?
Very pretty placemats! We don’t use placemats on our kitchen table, but I’ve always liked the look of them.
Love these placemats. I should make them for my table as it is not very big, either. I really like it that you used some fabrics more than once. That way would use up a piece of fabric that would be too much to throw away and not enough to keep after the placemats are done. That is efficient use of your fabric,
Those are very appealing table mats Connie, I love your selection of colours. Autumn (fall) has arrived in the UK, the morning air is much crisper at the start of the day. Leaves are changing colour and garden birds returning. Stay well and safe.
Thank you. I really like these. When I copy and paste the pictures will not move over. Maybe just me.
These are really cute, Connie! I like the serpentine quilting!