How to Make Quilt As You Go Jakarta Placemats with the AccuQuilt System

The key to making any project is having the right tools available, so here’s a list of the June Tailor products you’ll want to have handy to get started:

• Quilt As You Go Jakarta Placemats Kit (pre-printed batting for six placemats)
• Starch Savvy
• Quilt Basting Spray
• Fabric Glue Stick
• Magic Seam Wand

We've got some great bundles available on our website that include everything you need to get started with Quilt As You Go, so be sure to check those out!

For example, the Quilt As You Go 'Get Started' Project Bundle includes the Jarkarta Placemats (set of six) and matching Jakarta Table Runner.

The first step is pressing and starching your fabric, which is easiest done before you cut it! I don’t normally starch my fabric, but it’s an important step with the Quilt As You Go projects, so trust me here!

Since this project uses 2 1/2" strips, I'm using my GO! Big Electric Fabric Cutter with the GO! Strip Cutter-2 1/2" (2" Finished) 3 Strips Die and corresponding cutting mat to cut perfect strips! 

We’re quilting as we go, so you’ll need your backing ready before you get started! Cut the backing to the size of the batting and use the Quilt Basting Spray or Fabric Glue Stick to hold these two layers together.

Now, take a look at the batting – the design is printed right on it, and the directions inside the kit will give you all the measurements for subcutting your strips. The pieces are numbered in the order you’ll be placing and sewing them.

You’ll be covering Shape 1 with the first fabric strip and, if you want, use the Fabric Glue Stick to hold it in place. The next step is finding Shape 2 on the batting - that’s where the second strip will end up after being sewn to the first strip. Line that second piece up with the edge of Shape 1 with right sides together and sew a 1/4” seam. You'll be sewing through both pieces of fabric, the batting and the backing all at once!

NOTE: It’s important to realize that the lines on the batting are for placement, not stitching. You’ll be sewing a 1/4” seam from the raw edges.

Normally, the next step would be to press this seam with your iron, but fight that urge! Pressing with an iron can distort the batting, so instead you’ll want to use the Magic Seam Wand here. Since we starched the fabric before we got started, you’ll get a nice sharp crease here. If you want, you can heat up the Magic Seam Wand with your iron, but again, don't touch that batting directly with the iron.

Take a look - the long raw edge of the second strip now lines up with the next line on the batting! Now, you’re ready to move on to placing the third strip with right sides together for the next 1/4” seam.

These placemats are great for chain-piecing and making all six at once. You can see how quickly you would be ready to trim and bind all six using this method!

The Quilt As You Go projects are fun, quick and easy. I’m planning to use the Jarkarta Table Runner with my little grandkids, so they can create their very own homemade gifts for their parents, literally from start to finish! These projects are safe for little hands and great for any beginning sewist or quilter to gain confidence.

AccuQuilt applique dies open up all kinds of fun ways to personalize these projects with ease! Put names on placemats with the GO! Classic 2" Alphabet Uppercase Set Die or add seasonal fun with dies, such as the GO! Holiday Medley Die. Keep mealtime fun with adding fun animals, like the GO! Fox and GO! Zoo Animals Dies, or play up some farm fresh fun with the GO! Farm Animals Medley Die. There are so many possibilities!