How to Sew Placemats
Place mats are a simple sewing project with an endless amount of variations. You can make them from a single piece of fabric to keep things easy, or piece together patches of fabrics in any design you want. You can make place mats from just about any type of fabric, including calicos, pre-quilted fabric or even fancy dress fabric. (If you use pre-quilted fabric or other very thick fabric, you can skip the interfacing.)
Things You'll Need
- 1/2 Yard Fabric
- Double-fold Bias Tape
- Matching Thread
- Fusible Interfacing
- Scissors
- Straight Pins
- Iron
- Ironing Board
- Sewing Machine
Instructions
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1
Cut two rectangles of fabric, both about 15 by 20 inches, for each place mat. If you prefer, you can cut the rectangles into ovals or round off the corners, but this will make finishing the edges slightly more challenging.
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2
Cut one piece of fusible interfacing the same size and shape as the place mat. Place the interfacing on the wrong side of one piece of fabric (with the bumpy side toward the fabric), and iron the interfacing to the fabric.
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3
Place the pieces of fabric together with the right sides facing out and the interfacing in the middle. Put a few pins in the center of the place mat to hold the fabric layers in place.
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4
Wrap the bias tape all the way around the edge of the place mat, with the fold of the bias tape covering the edge of the fabric. One layer of the bias tape should be kept on the back of the place mat, and the other layer should be on the front.
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5
Pin the bias tape to the place mat, making sure to catch the front and back of the bias tape in the pins.
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6
Cut off the excess bias tape, leaving about 1/2 inch extra. Tuck the ends of the bias tape under, and press the end flat.
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7
Sew the bias tape to the place mat, close to the inner edge of the bias tape. You may want to use a zigzag stitch to make it easier to catch both sides of the bias tape in the stitching, but this will make the stitches show more.
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Tips & Warnings
Place mats can make great gifts. You may want to make a set of four or more place mats and matching napkins.
You’ll need 1/2 yard of fabric and one package of extra wide double-fold bias tape for each place mat.
The bias tape can match the fabric or contrast with it.
Make sure to wash, dry and iron the fabric before sewing the place mats.
Use caution when working with scissors, pins, irons and sewing machines.
