Take your 4 Fat Quarters and lay them all on top of each other, aligning the raw edges. Here you can see the US FQ on top was samller than the rest.

Make sure that all the selvage ends are together and closest to you.

Here you see that all four fat quarters are layered and ready to be speed cut.

The selvage ends are on the left. The ruler is lined up to square the edge of fabric. Next you will cut the stack of fabric into strips.

Cut 8 strips that will measure 2 inches by 20 inches. Each strip will be a stack of four fabrics. Each stack will be sewn together to form your strip sets.

Lay out the strips in the order that you like best. Next you will sew them together using a quarter inch seam allowance.

This is 2 finished strip sets. You will use 2 sets for each placemat.

Measure across the four strips to find the width of your strip set. These sets measure 6.5 inches across.

Cut each strip set into 3 squares each measuring 6.5 inches square.

Here is a look at the 3 squares I cut from the first strip set.

Close up of individual block.

Arrange your 6 blocks so the direction of the blocks alternates. Your outer fabrics will form a pattern when laid out properly.

Sew the blocks together in rows. Next sew the 2 rows together along the middle seam. Line up the matching seams carefully, to align your blocks.

Use fork pins if you have them. They keep the seams lined up very precisely, by holding both sides of the seam.

This is your finished placemat. Now repeat to finish up the remaining 3 placemats!

This is your finished placemat. Now repeat to finish up the remaining 3 placemats! Here you see I rearranged the fabrics to create a noticeable pattern.

Here you see the same placemats, with the same fabrics. In the right photo, I moved the darker colors to the outside of the blocks to create a noticeable pattern.