Dresden Express™ 16 Plate Placemat

Materials: (for two 12" x 18" placemats):
Dresden Express™ 16
Rotary Cutting Mat
Rotary Cutter
1/4 yd. each of four fabrics for blades
1/2 yd. fabric for placemat top
3/4 yd. fabric for placemat back, binding
  and plate center
Batting
1/3 yd. lightweight fusible interfacing

Instructions (per placemat):

Cutting:
From each of the four fabrics for blades, cut 7" strips. Layer strips on cutting mat. Place Dresden Express™ 16 on fabric strip aligning the bottom horizontal line of ruler with the bottom edge of the strips. In succession; cut along one outside edge of ruler, in center slots, and opposite outside edge of the ruler. This will create three identical Dresden blades. Cut one additional blade from same strip set, by lifting ruler and realigning bottom edge of remaining fabric with bottom edge marking of ruler.

Cut rounded top on blades by placing ruler on blade and aligning narrow bottom edge of blade with ruler drawing at the 5" marking. Using a rotary cutter, cut around the top curved edge of the ruler. Complete for all 16 blades.

For utensil holder, cut two 7" blades from selection of blade fabrics. Cut rounded tops on blades at the 7" marking.

From fabric for placemat top, cut 12" x 18".

From fabric for placemat back, binding and plate center, cut one 12" x 18" rectangle, binding strips and a 4" square.

From batting cut 12" x 18".

From fusible interfacing, cut a 12" square and a 4" square.

Construction:
Using a 1/4" seam allowance, stitch blades together beginning at the top. Press all seams to one side.

Place the fusible side of 12" square of interfacing to right side of completed Dresden plate. Stitch around outside of plate 1/4" from edge.  Cut slit in center of interfacing and turn plate right side out. Finger press.

Draw a 3" circle on the wrong side of fabric for plate center. Place the fusible side of 4" interfacing square on the right side of fabric square. Stitch on marked circle. Trim 1/8" from stitching. Cut a slit in the interfacing and turn right side out. Finger press.

For the utensil holder, place the right sides together of the two 7" fabric blades. Using a 1/4" seam allowance, stitch around all sides leaving a small opening in seam to turn fabric. Turn utensil holder blade right sides out and press.

To placemat top, place completed Dresden Plate, plate center and utensil holder as pictured. Fuse plate and plate center in place. Pin utensil holder in place.

Finishing:
Layer top, batting and backing fabric. Stitch through all layers close to edge around the plate and plate center circle. Stitch through all layers close to side and bottom edges of utensil holder making sure to back tack to reinforce the top.

Bind edges, mitering corners.