Looking for just the right color or design for placemats? Sew your own reversible placemat with this simple and quick process. There are so many fabrics to choose from in a quilt shop to be able to make custom placemat for your home or to give as a gift. Sometimes they are referred to as table placemats.
This is a perfect project for beginners. If you can sew a straight line, you can make a placemat! For each placemat, all you need to is to do is cut out three (3) rectangles, sew them together, turn them, and topstitch. You can make a set of four (4) DIY placemats in less than 30 minutes!
Placemats come in a variety of sizes. They are generally 12-14 inches tall and 16-18 inches wide. Make them the size that fits best on your dining table. When setting the table, you’ll want 3-4 inches between each place setting so your guests don’t feel crowded at the table.
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Add a pop of color to your dining space with new table linens! Add a custom DIY table runner for a special dinner party.
This is a quick project and perfect for beginner quilters. Here are step-by-step directions on how to sew reversible placemats:
How to Sew Reversible Placemats
Learn how to make your own DIY placemats with this simple sewing project. A perfect project for beginners.
Materials
- Two pieces of fabric 19-inches x 15-inches, to make it reversible, select two different fabrics, one for each side of the placemat. This makes a finished placemat that is 18-inches x 14-inches.
- One piece of acrylic felt or batting 18-inches x 14-inches. I like to use acrylic felt. It lies flat and stays flat with multiple washings.
- Coordinating thread
Tools
- Sewing machine
- Iron
- Pressing surface
- Scissors and tape measure OR rotary cutter, cutting mat and quilters ruler
- OPTIONAL: Corner turner or bodkin. Can use a chopstick or knitting needle
Instructions
- Start by cutting your two fabrics and felt or batting for your fabric placemat. Here I've cut them all 19-inches wide by 15-inches tall for a finished size of 18W x 14H.
- Layer the felt on the bottom, one of your fabrics FACE UP on top of the felt, and the other fabric FACE DOWN. The two fabrics for the placemat should have their right sides facing each other. The wrong side of one fabric should be on top. It doesn't matter which order the fabrics are in.
- Take this quilt sandwich of fabric and felt to your sewing machine. You'll stitch three of the sides with a 1/2-inch seam allowance. I sew the two long sides and one of the short sides.
- When you start sewing the second side, let the seams overlap. This makes the corner stitching more secure.
- On the fourth side, start at one corner and sew several inches. Backstitch and leave an opening about 4-inches. Begin sewing to the other corner. This opening will be how you turn your placemat right side out. I've marked the opening in red on this image.
- Trim your corners. You'll want to trim in the corner and angle the sides into the corner so there isn't too much bulk in the corner.
- Turn your placemat right side out through the opening.
- Use your corner turner to gently poke out the corners. Be careful not to push too hard and break your stitches.
- Flatten your placemat and give it a good press. I like to use a lot of steam to get it nice and flat. Press the seam allowances to the inside of the opening.
- Next, topstitch all around the outside edge of the placemat which finishes the edge and closes the opening. I stitch 1/4-inch from the edge. I start 1/4-inch from the edge and sew until I reach 1/4-inch from the next edge. Here I am starting the topstitching.
- When I get to 1/4-inch from the next side, I stop sewing and place my needle down position, lift my presser foot and turn the placemat 90-degrees.
- When all four sides have been topstitched, your placemat is done! Here is the truck side for the little one who loves trucks.
- And, the other side is chickens!
Notes
If your fabric is directional, you'll want to cut the design so that it looks good with the long edge of the fabric horizontally. Directional means, is there an obvious one way for the design of the fabric. I've used non-directional fabrics for the reversible placemat.
How much fabric do I need to make placemats?
It depends on what size you make your placemats and the width of the fabric you are using.
Most quilting cotton and cotton blends are 40-45 inches wide. A half yard of fabric is 18-inches wide. If you made your placemats just a bit smaller, you can get three rectangles from a half yard piece of fabric. Remember, you’ll need to buy two fabrics one for each side of the placemat!
What type of fabric are best to make placemats?
You’ll want a washable fabric for your placemats. I always prewash the fabrics since I know I’ll be washing them in the future. I make sure whatever fabric I use, it is machine washable!
You can use home-dec fabrics like canvas or polyester blends. Denim works. And, you have a world of choices with quilting cotton fabric! From florals to stripes, to sports teams to whimsical prints. Try decorative fabrics for a little flair on your table.
Fat quarters are great for variety! You’ll need two fat quarters to make one placemat.
The best fabric for your new placemats? One you love!
Ideas to sew reversible placemats
- Practice quilting on your placemats. They are a small quilt, why not try out some designs in a small format!
- For straight or slightly curvy lines, use the walking foot on your sewing machine to make sure all three layers stitch evenly.
- You can sew the two rectangles of fabric together without a center layer for a light-weight placemat. If you are going to have hot plates, it is recommended to have a layer of batting, orI like to use felt.
- Some people like to use fusible fleece as the center layer. By fusing the fleece to one of the fabrics it stays very stable for sewing. I prefer the acrylic felt and it doesn’t seem to shift in the making process. There are lots of options!
- Looking for fun edges of your placemat? This is the time to try some of the decorative stitches on your sewing machine! Use a contrasting thread color to make the finished edge stand out!
- Making cotton placemats from fabric rectangles is a great way to use up larger fabric scraps and some of those fat quarters you ‘just had to have’!
- Use your leftover quilt blocks to make unique and coordinating placemats.
Have fun! Soon you’ll have a selection of placemats in a variety of colors for all occasions! Enjoy your table setting!
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