Placemat Tutorial

A couple of weeks ago, I told you about the outdoor suite makeover I did in our alcove, including the nifty tutorial for some envelope cushions.

I further jazzed up the area this week with the addition of an outdoor rug I got on clearance (yeah!).

Wanting to inject more of the colour and print of the fabric into the area, I decided to make a placemat for the side table.  This is really a simple sewing project that just about anyone can do

In choosing the material for this project, I suggest that a heavier weight fabric is more suitable for use as a placemat.  If you like to mix things up, you could choose coordinating fabrics so that your placemats are double-sided.  Me, I am using the same fabric for front and back.  You will need to wash the material before you sew to prevent shrinkage.

You will have to do a little math to work out how much material you need for this project.  It will obviously depend on the number, size and shape of your finished placemats.  A common size for placemats is 18″ x 12″ (46 x 30.5 cm).  Remember to add a 1/4 ” (6mm) seam allowance to your edges.

I am making just the one, square placemat.  I want my finished size to be 18″ x 18″ (45.5 x 45.5 cm) so I have cut two squares 18 1/4″ x 18 1/4″ (46cm square to make it easy).

Pin your two pieces of fabric right sides together.

Using a 1/4″ (6mm) seam, sew around all the edges, leaving a 2 inch opening on one of the edges so you can turn your placemat right side out.

Trim the excess material from each of the corners and turn the placemat right side out.  Make sure to push the corners right out.

Press flat, making sure to fold in the edges of the fabric at the opening.

Top sew the placemat using a 1/8″ (3mm) seam. This will make sure the placemat holds it shape when you wash it.

Done!

I am loving how this area is becoming more complete looking.  It is actually a pleasure to look out on,  and it is the perfect spot for a coffee….right now, I think.

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Thursday: House of Hepworths Delightful Order, Its a Keeper,  The Frugal Girls, The 36th Avenue,  Thrifty 101, A Glimpse Inside, Brambleberry Cottage, Bear Rabbit Bear, Michelle’s Tasty Creations and Crafty Ideas, Shabby Creek Cottage, Goings on in Texas, Happy Go Lucky,  Raising Oranges,  The Answer is Chocolate, The Taylor House, Crafty Scrappy Happy, Imparting Grace, Made in a Day, 52 Mantels, Loving This Crazy Life, Days of Chalk and Chocolate, Confessions of an ADD Housewife

Friday: The Shabby Nest, Chic on a Shoestring Decorating, At the Picket Fence, Whipperberry, French Country Cottage, Thirty Handmade Days, Creation Corner, Finding Fabulous, Stuff and Nonsense, Fingerprints on the Fridge Naptime Crafters, While He Was Napping, My Romantic Home, Bacon Time With the Hungry, Hungry Hippo, Kitchen Fun With My Three Sons, Remodelaholic, Happy Hour Projects, Simply Designing, Simply Sweet Home, Tidy Mom,  Young and Crafty, Serenity Now , Life as Mom, At the Picket Fence, Tatertots and Jello, Craft Junkie Too, A Little Knick Knack, Blissful and Domestic, Maiden D’Shade, Petites Passions, Bubbly Nature Creations, Here Comes the Sun, Liz Marie Blog, THe Grant Life, Craftionary, Redoux Interior, Common Ground, Just Us Four, Delicate Construction, AKA Designs, Family Ever After,

Saturday:  Be Different Act Normal, The Girl Creative , Funky Junk Interiors , A Vision to Remember, Positively Splendid , Its Overflowing, Natasha in Oz, Shaken Together, Homemaker in Heels, Addicted to Decorating

Sunday: A Rosie Sweet Home, I Heart Naptime, Under the Table Dreaming, DIY Showoff, Nifty Thrift Things, Sumo’s Sweet Stuff, Homemaker on a Dime, DIY Home Sweet Home,  Cherished Treasures, My 1929 Charmer