How to Make a Toddler Table Activity Mat

Toddlers love arts and crafts projects, but they aren't the cleanest little artists. If he didn't spill paint all over his clothes, chances are there's a big blob of glitter glue on the table. Reduce clean-up time and lower your stress by making an activity mat for your toddler's table. Simply lay it on top of the toddler table when it's time for an art project. Then wipe it down with a damp cloth when he's finished with his masterpiece.

Things You'll Need

• 1 yard of fun printed fabric
• 1 yard of clear vinyl
• 3 1/2 yards of coordinating 1/2-inch wide double fold bias tape
• Upholstery thread
• Leather or denim needle
• Paper clips
• Sewing machine with a teflon foot
• Rotary cutter
• Self-healing cutting mat

Instructions

1. Bring your child with you to the fabric store and ask her to help you pick out a fun printed fabric for her activity mat. Kids love to get involved in projects with their parents, and she'll be more excited to use the mat if she helps pick out the fabric.

2. Cut your printed fabric into a 31 by 28-inch rectangle using your rotary cutter and self-healing cutting mat. Cut your vinyl fabric to the same size. Round off the corners of each rectangle, making sure that all of the corners are rounded off to the same size.

3. Paperclip the vinyl and fabric pieces together (pins are not recommended when working with vinyl). Make sure that the right side of the printed fabric faces the vinyl.

4. Remove your sewing machine needle and foot, then attach the denim or leather needle and teflon foot. Stitch the fabric and vinyl pieces together close to the edge (using no more than a 1/4-inch seam allowance). Make sure that your fabric layer is on the bottom when stitching to make it a little easier it to pass through your machine.

5. Unfold the bias tape and paperclip the raw edge of the tape to the raw edge of the mat you've just stitched together. Sew the bias tape to the mat to attach it in the proper position. Refold the bias tape over the raw edge of the mat then topstitch over the folded tape for a finished look.