How to Make Linen Frayed Placemats

Add flair and character to any table with a set of frayed linen place mats. The loose weave of the linen makes it an ideal fabric to create a frayed edge while its softness creates an elegant look under any type of dishware. Fraying the fabric evenly requires either a square or rectangular shape cut from the linen fabric. Complete a set of six frayed linen place mats in as little as one hour.

Things You'll Need

• Washing machine
• Laundry detergent
• 1 1/4-yards linen fabric
• Iron
• Ironing board
• Yardstick
• Disappearing sewing marker
• Sharp scissors
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Seam ripper

Instructions

1. Wash and dry a 1 1/4-yard piece of linen fabric.

2. Iron the fabric to remove all wrinkles.

3. Place the ironed piece of linen on a flat work surface. Position the linen so the cut edges are along a horizontal axis.

4. Line a yardstick up with the grain of the fabric approximately 2 inches from a cut edge. The grain of the fabric is the weave of the thread going from top to bottom and side to side.

5. Measure and mark six rectangles 14 inches wide and 20 inches long on the linen fabric. Make sure to follow the grain of the fabric to create the vertical and horizontal lines.

6. Cut the six rectangles from the linen fabric.

7. Place one rectangle on a flat work surface so the edges are on a horizontal and vertical axis. Center, measure and mark a 12-by-18-inch rectangle inside the larger rectangle. A 1-inch border is created around the outside edge like a picture frame. Repeat the process on the remaining five rectangles.

8. Line the drawn rectangle up with the sewing needle on a sewing machine. Sew a straight seam along the drawn line. Cut the thread ends. Repeat the process on the remaining five rectangles.

9. Place a sewn rectangle on a flat work surface so the edges are on a horizontal and vertical axis.

10. Fray the left side of the linen place mat. The fraying process is completed by removing the vertical linen fibers from the fabric weave. Stop when you reach the sewn line.

11. Turn the place mat a quarter turn to the right. Repeat Steps 10 and 11 until all four sides are frayed. Continue the process on the remaining five place mats.