Tabs

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Easy Breezy Placemats


When we moved to Tennessee 2 years ago and bought our first house, we were lucky enough to score an Ethan Allen table and chairs for dirt cheap from a lady who was moving soon and had to get rid of it asap. The only problem is that it isn't child-proof.

The table is gorgeous and in mint condition, but with a 2-year-old bent on destroying everything, we knew that might not last long. Our nice scratch-free table was just screaming for my daughter to scratch it/throw something on it/spill her dinner on it. I needed some table protection stat! 

These placemats I whipped up not only protect it from said 2-year-old, but they also add a lot of personality to an otherwise boring dining room table. This is a great project for beginners!

Supplies for 8 placemats:
  • 2 1/2 yards heavy decorator fabric. I used an outdoor fabric because it's thick and spill-proof
  • 2 1/2 yards solid cotton fabric for backing 
  • Sewing machine and coordinating thread
  • Rotary cutter and cutting mat 

Instructions:

Wash and dry fabric first. Cut out 8 rectangles 21" wide by 13" long from each fabric. You should have a total of 16 rectangles - 8 from your print, and 8 from your backing.

Take one rectangle of each of your fabrics and pin them together, right sides facing each other. Using a 1/4" seam allowance, sew around perimeter leaving a 4" long opening for turning.

Turn your placemat inside out by pushing it through the opening you left. Push out the corners using a chopstick, skewer, knitting needle, etc., and press the whole thing with a hot iron. Hand-sew the opening closed, then topstitch around the perimeter of each placemat using a 1/4" seam allowance.You could add an additional row of stitches for a decorative look if you like.



See, easy breezy! And pretty.

This project is so rediculously simple that I didn't go too in-depth with the photos. Let me know if you have any questions!



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20 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for posting this! I have a two-year-old as well AND a very "sensitive" dining room table. The use of outdoor fabric is a great idea and really provides an attractive alternative to plastic placemats! Fabulous!

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  2. Those look fabulous. Very pro looking! I'm sure guests are going to ask where you bought them.

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  3. Great tutorial! Please stop by www.laughloveandcraft.com and link up to my Share the Wealth Wednesday Link Party! I'm your newest follower!

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  4. came to visit via tea rose home.

    I have just been thinking my breakfast table needs new mats, and I was over complicating things. Thanks for this simplified version -- I should be able to whip up a set by lunchtime!

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  5. wonderful! love the fabric :)

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  6. Love the fabric you chose...trendy and modern without being too busy.

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  7. Gorgeous fabric and great job with the placemats. Really looks awesome. I am your latest follower. I would love for you to come and check out my blog and follow me back at www.diybydesign.blogsot.com. Thanks so much.

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  8. I am drooling over your fabric! (ok not literally..just in my mind :) ) These turned out perfect! I am a newbie sewer, so thanks for posting something even us beginners can try! Following you in hopes that you post more beginner sewing projects I can try! :)
    -Angela

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  9. They look amazing, I may have to try that. :)

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  10. Pretty fabric & I love the bowl on your table!

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  11. Cute placemats!! Thanks for linking @'Sew Cute Tuesday!

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  12. AWWWW, I'M in LOVE with the bowl/dish. Where did you buy it ??? It's sooo interessant!!!
    PLz tell me =)

    greetz from Germany

    www.theisiwayoflife.blogspot.com/

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  13. I just saw this - catching up on things..and will try this one :) I'll send pics when I have finished! Thank you Jen :)

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  14. Well done. Place mats looks great, and they do add character to the table.

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  15. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  16. Thanks Jen! I was so excited to find this post because I desperately needed new placemats. This was the second project I did on my new sewing machine. Check out the results at www.groundedwife.blogspot.com

    Dayna

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  17. Definitely going to try this! Though it might be a little harder because I've never used a sewing machine before.. Hope the results turn out okay!

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  18. Going to have to try this! They look amazing! Love the pattern on the fabric you chose. Though, at the risk of sounding like a rookie sewer lol, I was just curious as to why you sewed them right sides together then turned them inside out? Don't judge people.. I'm learning here lol

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