Instructions for Making Table Placemats

Make a set of table place mats for each season.

Place mats add an attractive appearance to just about any table, and they help protect your table from dinner mishaps. They add a decorative touch to a shared meal, and they are fun to make. Creating your own table place mats is a cinch when you know how to use a sewing machine. Make a set for each special occasion to make each occasion that much more special, and create a set for everyday use.

Things You'll Need

• Sewing machine
• Sewing needle
• Scissors
• Box of pins
• 18 ¼-by-12 ½-inch rectangular piece of tissue paper
• Pencil
• 2 yards of 60-inch-wide cotton print fabric exhibiting flowers about six inches wide
• Spool of matching thread
• 1 yard of 60-inch-wide cotton craft batting
• Iron

Instructions

1. Pin the 18 ¼-by-12 ½-inch piece of tissue paper to the print fabric, positioning the paper near the top of the fabric and close to the left edge of the fabric, with the 12 ½-inch side running horizontally. Cut the fabric using the tissue paper as a pattern.

2. Cut out seven more pieces of 18 ¼-by-12 ½-inch fabric, using the paper pattern.

3. Cut out four pieces of batting, using the pattern.

4. Take one of the pieces of batting and place one of the 18 ¼-by-½-inch pieces of fabric on top of it, with the right side of the fabric facing up. Take another piece of fabric and place it on top of the fabric piece you just laid down, with the right side of the fabric facing down. Using your pins, secure the batting and fabric in place, placing the pins towards the center.

5. Sew ¼ inch in from the edge of the fabric, around the rectangle, leaving open a space seven inches wide. Make sure you back stitch over the first and last stitch so the stitches will not come out. Pull the right side of the fabric through the opening so the stitching is inside and not visible.

6. Using your need and thread, slip stitch the opening closed.

7. Sew around the outside of the place mat, about ½ inch in from the edge, stopping when your last stitch meets your first stitch.

8. Sew around the edges of one or two of the flowers in the print with your sewing machine. Choose flowers more towards the center of the fabric. Back stitch over the first and last stitch to prevent the stitches from unraveling.

9. Using a warm iron, press your table place mats.

Tips & Warnings

• Before you start to make your table place mats, consider making curtains as well. Purchase enough fabric for both for a matching look.

References

• Harts Fabric: Amy Butler Soul Blossoms Fabric Twilight Peony Azure on Cream
• Create For Less: Warm and Natural Cotton Batting Craft 34-by-45-inch Plastic Wrap