Homemade Placemats
Placemats are used to add a decorative touch to your table. They also help keep spilled food and drinks off of the table and tablecloth. Placemats come in a number of materials and fabrics, including cloth, wood and plastic. If you want to make your own at home with little effort, paper is another option. Making paper placemats takes little time, and even your children can help you create them.
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Instructions
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Paper Woven Placemat
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1
Cut nine strips of colored paper into 1-inch strips. You will need five that are cut along the width of the paper and four that are cut along the length. You can use one color or multiple colors.
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2
Fold a full sheet of colored paper in half along the width. Cut strips in the paper. You want the strips to start 1 inch from one edge and end 1 inch from the other edge. You need 6 strips total. Unfold the paper.
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3
Weave the strips you cut in Step 1 into the second piece of paper. Feed the strips over and under the cut strips from Step 2. You want five strips weaved widthwise and 4 strips weaved lengthwise.
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4
Use tape to secure the loose ends of the woven strips to the larger piece of paper. If desired, laminate the finished placemat.
Laminated Pictures
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5
Provide your child with a piece of colored paper in the size and shape you want your finished placemats to be. You can use construction paper, poster board or cardstock.
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6
Have your child decorate the paper. Provide him with markers, stickers, crayons, paints, stamps and photographs. Let him use his creativity to create any design he wants. If he uses paint or glue, allow it to dry before proceeding.
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7
Peel the backing off a piece of clear laminate that is larger than your child’s picture. Place the picture onto the laminate so that the sticky side attaches to the front of the picture. Flip it over.
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8
Peel the backing off a second piece of laminate that is the same size as the first. Place this piece on the back of the picture. Smooth any bubbles.
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9
Cut the edge of the laminate off, leaving about a quarter inch beyond the edge of the picture to keep a good seal.
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Tips & Warnings
The woven placemat can be made with thin pieces of veneer as well, for a more elegant look.
References
- Photo Credit cookies on diamond placemat image by samantha grandy from Fotolia.com
