DIY Silver Place Mats

Silver braid is often used for holiday decorations.

Use quilted silver lame to make shiny, modern place mats. Quilted lame is a substantial fabric with a backing of quilt batting. You can make a place mat with only a single layer of this fabric. Quilted lame is often used for costumes, so it can usually be found in the costume section of fabric stores. Finish the edges of the mat with silver braid trim to give the mats a finished, uniform look.

Things You'll Need

• Quilted silver lame
• Ruler
• Scissors
• 1-inch silver braid
• Sewing machine
• White thread

Instructions

1. Cut an 18-inch-by-13-inch rectangle of silver lame for each place mat.

2. Starting on one side, 2 inches from the corner, pin 1-inch-wide silver braid around the edge of the rectangle on the right side. Pin it so that it overlaps the edge of the rectangle by 3/8 inch. Fold under 1/2 inch on the final end of the braid. The final end should overlap the first end by 1/2 inch.

3. Sew the braid to the place mat, stitching close to the inside edge of the braid. Remove the pins as you sew.

4. Fold the other edge of the braid around the edge of the fabric and pin it in place on the back side, so that the braid covers the edge of the fabric. Sew close to the other edge of the braid on the back side of the place mat, removing the pins as you go.

5. Cover the edges of the other place mats with braid in the same way.

Tips & Warnings

• Add color by using contrasting double-fold bias tape instead of silver braid.