Directions for Making Corn Husk Place Mats

Turn corn husks into place mats.

As the days of autumn grow shorter and chillier, people spend more time indoors. Kids congregate in the kitchen complaining that there's nothing to do. Adults aren't immune to this feeling either. Having a supply of crafts keeps everyone entertained and provides seasonal decorations for the house. Place mats made from corn husks don't take specialized skills or equipment, so everyone can join in making them. These place mats make festive additions to the Thanksgiving table or your everyday autumn decor.

Things You'll Need

• Raffia
• Tape measure
• Scissors
• Corn husks
• Needle (optional)
• Thread (optional)

Instructions

1. Cut 13 strings of raffia 16 inches long.

2. Lay the raffia horizontally in front of you, spaced about an inch apart.

3. Weave one corn husk into the strips of raffia, going over the first strip, under the second, over the third, under the fourth repeating the pattern until all the strips are woven. Slide the husk into the middle of the raffia.

4. Weave another husk into the raffia, reversing the pattern you used with the first husk. This corn husk will go under the first strip of raffia, over the second, repeating the pattern until the husk is fully woven. Slide it toward the middle so it touches the first husk.

5. Continue weaving husks into the raffia until no more will fit.

6. If you want your place mat to have even edges, fold the edges under the mat and sew them so the husks stay folded. This will provide a little more stability to your mat as well as giving a clean edge.

Tips & Warnings

• If your husks are too dry, you can soak them in warm water until they become more pliable.

• Change the measurements and number of raffia strings you cut for different-sized place mats.

• If the husks seem too wide, you can cut them vertically.