Simple Placemats – Tutorial

Some months ago I bought this lovely dark red fabric with these hearts  with a typical rural Swiss scene depicted on them.

I fell in love and have been wondering what to do with the fabric. Last weekend I decided to make some placemats out of the thick decorating fabric. The only problem was I wanted something easy and fast.

Most of the tutorials I came across were for pieced and/or quilted placemats. As I didn’t want to buy any additional fabric or supplies, this wouldn’t work. I just wanted to get to it.

Luckily I found two tutorials that enabled me to figure out what I needed to make a simple front and backsided placemat. In a morning I was able to do three before I ran out of fabric and a few days later, after locating the same fabric I was able to finish 3 more. This was the perfect quick sewing project and a bonus that it would help me get ready for Christmas at the same time.

 

Step 1

Measure and cut a rectangle 13″  X 19″ using two pieces of like or coordinating fabric . Place fabric right sides together and pin, leaving a 4 inch opening  on a short side, to turn inside out once sewn.

Step 2

Next , using a straight stitch, sew a 3/4 inch  seam  from the beginning of the opening to the end, being sure to backstitch when you begin and end your stitches.

Step 3

Cut diagonally across the corners, close to your stitches to reduce bulk and get nice pointy corners. Turn the placemat inside out and using a pointy object gently poke out the corners. Press. Turn the seams of the opening inside so the folded edge lines up with the sewn edge and press that as well.

Step 4

Next, topstitch around the edges leaving a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Press again and voila, you have a placemat!

I can’t wait to use these for Christmas dinner!

I hope this has inspired you to give this tutorial a try, to whip up some placemats of your own. I would love to see yours if you do make some.

Have a great weekend!