Relax Anywhere Mat Tutorial

Hello Everyone,

What is your favorite season? Summer is our favorite season by far because it’s the best time to chill outside with your family and friends! To celebrate that summer is finally here, we’ve created the Relax Anywhere Mat in these amazing blue fabrics from the In Blue fabric collection. The modern fabrics and colors add a refreshing feel to keep you cool in the summer months ahead! We love how the fussy cut strip design came together especially after adding the beautiful Bernina decorative stitches! The best part about this mat is you can roll it up and take it anywhere!

Fabric Requirements 

Finished Size – Approximately 27 1/2″ x 64″
We added extra fabric to allow for fussy cutting perfection.

Fabric A– INB-26635- De Roos Donker – 3/4 yd
Fabric B– INB-36635- De Roos Light – 7/8 yd
Fabric C– INB-26637- Fietsen Dawn – 1 yd
Fabric D– PE-426- Apricot Crepe – 5/8 yd
Fabric E– PE-434- Tranquil Waters – 5/8 yd

Backing– INB-26639 – Dalasterk – 2 1/8 yd

Binding– DEN-400- Soft Sand- 1 1/2″ x 193″ long – 1/3 yds

Note—our denim studio fabrics are larger widths than our quilting cottons, fabric required may need to be adjusted if you are using another fabric.

Cutting Directions

Five (5) 1 7/8″ x 29″ strip from Fabric A and B (fussy cut strips)
Five (5) 1″ x 29″ strip from Fabric A and B (fussy cut strips)

Two (2) 2 1/2″ x 29″ strips from Fabric B (ties)

Ten (10) 2 1/4″ x 29″ strips from Fabric C (fussy cut bicycles)

Five (5) 1 1/2″ x 29″ strips from Fabric D and E
Five (5) 2″ x 29″ strips from Fabric D and E

Additional Materials Needed 

• Batting
• Contrasting threads for decorative stitches
• Walking foot #50
• Patchwork foot #37
• Blindstitch foot #5

Step 1: Sew your strips into segments

Sew your strips together into segments following this order: B-E-A-D-C.

Sew segments together to get your completed top. Using the Patchwork foot #37 comes in handy sewing all these strips together. Make sure your needle position is centered and sew at the edge of your fabric for a perfect 1/4″ seam allowance.

Tip: Sew strips alternating directions prevent wonky looking strips.

Step 2- Adding Decorative Stitches 

Here comes the fun part! Pin your quilt top to your batting and attach your Walking foot #50. We like using our Walking foot to help with feeding the fabric through nice and easy to create beautiful decorative stitches.

We used stitch #305 in different contrasting threads on all the D and E strips. Line up the line on the walking foot with the seam line and create two decorative stitches on each side of your strips. Place finished piece on your batting and pin into place.

Sew a straight line in between all of your decorative stitches on your wider solid strip pieces.

Step 3- Final Touches 

Trim and square up your piece. We made ours about  27 1/2″ x 64″. The great thing about this project is you can make it longer for a taller person by just adding more strips or shorter for a child by sewing less. Measure 3″ up and 3″ to the side on each corner. Draw a curved line connecting these marks. Cut on the line you drew on each corner.

Step 4- Making the Ties 

Take a 2 1/2″ x 29″ strip from Fabric B and fold raw edges into the middle.

Fold in half and stitch on both sides of your strip as close as possible using the Blindstitch foot #5. Make sure needle position is all the way to the left. Tie a knot at one end of each tie. Pin the ties in the top center of your mat.

Make a long strip of binding measuring 1 1/2″ x 193″ long. Bind quilt using your favorite method and you’re finished!

Hope you all have an amazing summer!

Happy Sewing,

AGF