Contempo Blog Hop Day 3: Reversible Placemats

It's Day 3 of the Contempo Studio Blog Hop and the Benartex Blog Team has teamed up to create these sophisticated reversible placemats using the Cosmopolitan collection. Check out the tutorial below, take a peek at this exciting new fabric line, and then see how to enter for a chance to win a fat quarter bundle of Cosmopolitan to start your own project!

On to the tutorial!
When we saw this panel of rectangular blocks in the Cosmopolitan collection, we knew they'd be perfect for placemats. Combining a pieced side with fussy cut wonky blocks from the panel would create a reversible placemat--double duty and double beauty!

Side one:

Side two:

To make four placemats, you'll need:

• 1 yard of the panel print
• 1/2 yard each of a gray dotted stripe, black/white leaf, yellow/black/white stripe, and circle print
• (4) 14" x 18" pieces of batting

Fussy cut a block from the panel and trim it to measure 13-1/2" x 17".

We auditioned the four prints we selected for a pieced backing. Since there were two stripes, we wanted to rotate one of them so the stripes ran in different directions.

Here's option #1:

And option #2:

You can choose either one, but we went with option #1.

From the stripe you want to run horizontal, cut a 4-3/4" x 13-1/2" lengthwise strip (cutting parallel with the selvedge so the stripes run the short way across the strip). From the remaining three prints (including the second stripe), cut a 4-3/4" x 13-1/2" strip. Sew the four strips together lengthwise as shown.

Layer the batting, the pieced placemat right side up, and the fussy-cut block right side down and pin around all sides. The pieced side will extend slightly beyond the block--that's okay--you'll trim later.

Sew around all four sides using a 1/4" seam allowance. Leave a 6" opening on one side for turning. Trim batting and backing even with the edges of the block. Trim corners on the diagonal to eliminate bulk after turning.

Turn the placemat right side out. Poke corners out as needed. Press the raw edges of the opening in to align with the placemat edges. Topstitch 1/4" from each short edge. Topstitch straight lines across the entire placemat approximately every 1/2" or as desired. Make four.

There's more--you can use the overall patchwork print to make coordinating napkins.

To make coordinating napkins, you'll need:

• 2-1/4 yards patchwork print

Cut (8) 18-1/2" squares

Place two squares right sides together and stitch around all four sides with a 1/4" seam allowance, leaving a 6" opening for turning. Clip corners and turn right side out.  Press the raw edges of the opening in and topstitch around the outer edge of the napkin. Make four.

Meet Cosmopolitan:

You saw the yellow colorway in our tutorial above, but this versatile line also comes in lime and blue!

The giveaway: For a chance to win a fat quarter bundle of the Cosmopolitan collection, sign up to follow the Benartex blog using either Bloglovin’ or the email feature (both in the right sidebar). Then leave a comment below this post telling us that you are a follower and letting us know which colorway of Cosmopolitan most appeals to you. This giveaway will be open through Saturday, August 31 at 11:59 pm EST.

Find the remaining Contempo blog hop tutorials here:

Day 1: Quarter Log Cabin Pillow Covers by Clover & Violet

Day 2: Ruffle Trim Bib from see kate sew

Day 4: Strip-pieced Wrist Strap and Lanyard Set by Ebony Love