How to Make Mitered Corner Placemats

Mitered corners can be tricky to do, but the directions for these mitered corner placemats take all the tricky parts out. Use your serger to create a simple edge finish. Or, if you don't have a serger, you can use a similar decorative edge stitching on a regular sewing machine. Read on to learn how to make mitered corner placemats.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 yard of Fabric "A"
• 1 yard of contrasting Fabric "B"
• Scissors
• Pins
• Coordinating thread
• Coordinating Wooly Nylon thread
• Serger
• Sewing Machine
• Iron
• Ironing board

1. Pre-wash the two pieces of fabric. For four placemats, cut four 19 1/2-inch by 14-inch pieces of Fabric A and four pieces of the same size from Fabric B.

2. Place coordinating fabric pieces together with the wrong sides together. The right sides should be on the outside. Pin pieces together. Place pins in the center of the placemat pieces so you don't hit them with the serger blades.

3. Thread your serger with coordinating thread. Thread Wooly Nylon into the upper looper. Most machines need to have the tension loosened for Wooly Nylon to go through the needle properly. With the fabric you wish to be the contrasting border facing up, serge all four edges of each placemat.

4. Set the placemat on the table with the contrasting side up. Fold up 1 inch on the long side. Hold in place with a pin. Fold up 1 inch on a short side. Pin. Mark where the two sides join at an angle.

5. Stitch the angle with a regular sewing machine to create the mitered corner. For best results, sew from the serged edge to the point. Trim seam to 1/4 inch. Press seam open. Repeat for remaining three corners.

6. Turn placemat so the seams of the stitched points are on the inside. This should have the contrasting edge on the outside of the placemat. Press placemat flat.

7. Sew with a straight stitch close to the serger edges. This holds the contrasting fabric border in place. Repeat for the remaining three placemats.