Square in a Square Quilt Table Topper and Placemats for Autumn

Autumn is my favorite time of the year for new placemats and a table topper. Decorating for fall is always fun, the weather is getting cooler and the leaves are changing colors. I used the Square in a Square quilt block for this quilt project.

My original Square in a Square table topper was given as a gift so I decided to make another one that was just a little bit bigger.

I happened to have a beautiful Island Batik pumpkin print that had been in my stash for several years. I think it was the leftover backing for a quilt.

I have not included yardage as I was just using fabric I had in my stash.

8 ½” Square in a Square quilt block tutorial

I have used the Electric Quilt software for years, here is a diagram from EQ8 showing the cutting for the 8½” finished square in a square block.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial! This blog post has been converted to an optional PDF that’s optimized for printing.

Purchase an ad-free PDF version of the Autumn Square in a Square Table Topper and Placemat tutorial in my shop.

Cutting:

• Cream – cut two 5 1/8 inch squares and then cut them diagonally to create four half-square triangles
• Pumpkin print – cut one 6½” square

Sewing:

• Use a ¼” seam allowance
• The half-square triangles are a little longer than the center square
• Fold each one in half and pin it to the center of the center square.

• Sew the half square triangles to the sides of the 6½” square sewing to the opposite side first
• Press and then add the last two
• Trim the dog ears, your block should measure 9 inches

Print Border:

• Cut two 1½” x 9″ strips and sew to two sides
• Press
• Cut two 1½” x 11″ strips and sew to the remaining sides

Cream Border:

• Cut two 2½” x 11″ strips and sew to two sides
• Press
• Cut two 2½” x 15″ strips and sew to the remaining sides

Final Print Border:

• Cut two 2″ x 15″ strips and sew to two sides
• Press
• Cut two 2″ x 18″ strips and sew to the remaining sides

Add your backing and batting, then quilt as desired. 

Binding:

An easy way to figure out how much binding you need is to add all four sides and then add 5 inches.

Example: Each size is 18 inches – 18+18+18+18 = 72 add 5 = 77 inches.

Cut two 2½”x width of fabric strips and use my machine binding tutorial to add your binding to the table topper.

I also wanted to double-check the cutting so I made a couple of sample blocks that turned into matching placemats. Why waste the blocks right?

Placemats

13″ x 16″ 

I used the measurements from the other tutorial for the Square in a Square table topper for the center square but a little different measurements to turn them into placemats.

Placemat Borders:

Pumpkin Print Border:

• Cut two 1¼” x 6½” strips and sew to two sides
• Press
• Cut two 1¼” x 8″ strips and sew to the remaining sides

Cream Border:

• Cut two 2″ x 8″ strips and sew to two sides
• Press
• Cut two 2″ x 11″ strips and sew them to the top and bottom

Final Pumpkin Print Border:

• Cut two 3″ x 11″ strips and sew to the sides
• Press
• Cut two 1½” x 16″ strips and sew to the top and bottom

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial! This blog post has been converted to an optional PDF that’s optimized for printing.

Purchase an ad-free PDF version of the Autumn Square in a Square Table Topper and Placemat tutorial in my shop.

Fabric Basket

I had just enough of the batik fabric left to make a fabric basket. For this basket, I cut the fabrics 16″ square and the corners were 2½”. My fabric basket tutorial will give you complete directions on how to make it.

Little Sadie was kind enough to inspect it for me.

Looks cute on our tiny table.

Another great way to cut out quilt blocks is by using the AccuQuilt GO! cutter and dies. Your half-square triangles are dog-eared and will match up perfectly. I love using mine and right now they are on sale!

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