How to Sew Placemat

Are you looking for a simple and creative way to enhance your dining table? Look no further because sewing placemats is the perfect DIY project for you!

Sewing your placemats is a simple and rewarding craft project that allows you to personalize your dining table while honing your sewing skills. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced sewer, making placemats enables you to experiment with fabric choices, patterns, and colors to match your style or seasonal decor. Handmade placemats are functional, protecting your table from spills and heat and adding a unique touch of creativity to your meal settings.

This guide on how to sew placemat will walk you through each process step, ensuring you create beautiful and durable placemats with ease.

What Are the Benefits of Sewing Placemats?

Besides adding a personal touch to your dining table, sewing placemats has numerous benefits. Some of these include:

• Cost-effective: Making your placemats can save you money in the long run compared to continuously buying disposable or store-bought ones.
• Eco-friendly: Handmade placemats contribute to reducing waste and minimizing your carbon footprint.
• Customizable: With endless fabric options, you can create unique designs that complement your home decor or special occasions.

Now, let’s dive into the step-by-step process of sewing placemats.

What Will You Need?

• Fabric of your choice
• Scissors
• Measuring tape or ruler
• Sewing machine (or needle and thread for hand-sewing)
• Iron and ironing board
• Pins or clips
• Thread in coordinating color

Once you have all your materials, it’s time to get started!

8 Easy Steps on How to Sew Placemat

Step 1: Preparing the Fabric

Start by selecting the fabric for your placemats. Choose a material that is durable, easy to clean, and matches your desired aesthetic. Cotton or linen are popular choices for their versatility and ease of use. Once you’ve picked your fabric, wash and dry it to pre-shrink the material and ensure your finished placemats can withstand future washes without warping. 

Next, iron the fabric to remove any wrinkles or creases, as the smooth fabric will be much easier to work with. Spread it flat on your work surface, ensuring no folds or bumps. Use your measuring tape or ruler to measure the dimensions of your placemats.

A standard size is 12 x 18 inches, but feel free to adjust this based on your preference or table size. Mark the measurements lightly on the fabric using chalk or a fabric marker, and then carefully cut along the lines using sharp scissors.

Step 2: Finishing the Edges 

To prevent the fabric from fraying, finishing the edges of your cut pieces is essential. You can do this by using a zigzag stitch on your sewing machine or a serger if you have one. Run the stitch along all four edges of each piece of fabric, ensuring the thread closely matches the color of your fabric for a polished look.

If you don’t have access to a sewing machine, you can also use pinking shears to cut the edges with a zigzag pattern, which helps reduce fraying. This step will ensure your placemats remain durable and neat, even after repeated use and washing.

Step 3: Hemming the Edges 

To give your placemats a clean and professional finish, hem the edges. Fold each edge of the fabric over by about 1/4 inch and press it down with an iron to create a crisp fold. Then, fold the edge over one more time by another 1/4 inch to enclose the raw edge completely. Pin the folds in place using sewing pins to secure them.

Using your sewing machine, sew a straight stitch close to the inner edge of the fold, removing the pins as you go. Repeat this process for all four edges of each placemat. This hemming step enhances durability and provides a stylish and polished final appearance.

Step 4: Adding Decorative Touches 

Once the edges are hemmed, you can personalize your placemats with decorative elements. Add embellishments such as embroidery, applique, or fabric paint to match your table decor theme.

For embroidery, sketch your desired design lightly on the fabric using a washable fabric marker, then stitch along the pattern with contrasting thread colors to make it stand out. If using fabric paint, ensure it’s scorched before handling the placemats. These decorative touches can transform simple placemats into eye-catching pieces that reflect your unique style and creativity.

Step 5: Finishing and Maintenance 

After completing the decorative touches, give your placemats a final press with a warm iron to smooth out any wrinkles and set the design. Ensure that all embellishments are securely attached and dry. To maintain the quality of your handmade placemats, wash them gently by hand or use a delicate cycle on your washing machine.

Avoid harsh detergents or bleach, especially if the placemats have painted or embroidered details. Proper care will help preserve their beauty and functionality, ensuring they remain a charming addition to your dining table for years.

Step 6: Creative Variations 

Looking to add even more personality to your placemats? Experiment with creative variations to make each set truly one-of-a-kind. Consider using different materials, like burlap for a rustic look or linen for an elegant touch.

You can also add unique embellishments like lace trims, beaded edges, or appliqué designs. For seasonal placemats, incorporate themed patterns or colors to match holidays or special occasions. By exploring these variations, you can craft placemats that serve a functional purpose, express your creativity, and enhance your dining experience.

Step 7: Finishing Touches 

Once your placemats are complete, consider adding a protective coating to increase their durability and resistance to stains. For fabric placemats, a fabric protector spray can help guard against spills and make cleaning easier.

If your placemats feature painted or decorated surfaces, apply a clear sealant to preserve the design. Finally, don’t forget to iron fabric placemats to remove any wrinkles before using them. These final touches will enhance the functionality of your placemats and give them a polished, professional look.

Step 8: Caring for Your Placemats 

Proper care and maintenance will extend the life of your handmade placemats and keep them looking their best. For fabric placemats, follow the washing instructions based on the materials used—most can be gently hand-washed or machine-washed on a delicate cycle.

Be sure to air dry or tumble dry on a low setting to avoid shrinkage. Spot cleaning is recommended for placemats with embellishments or painted designs to prevent damage. Regular care ensures that your placemats remain functional and beautiful for years.

By following these steps, you can create custom placemats that add a personal touch to your dining table and serve as functional and decorative pieces.

5 Things You Should Avoid:

1. Using the Wrong Fabric: Choosing the wrong fabric type can ruin your placemat’s aesthetics and functionality. Avoid using delicate or stretchy materials that may not hold their shape or withstand regular use.
2. Skipping Pre-Washing the Fabric: Always pre-wash your fabric before sewing to prevent shrinkage after completing the placemat. Neglecting this step can lead to uneven results.
3. Ignoring Precise Measurements: Cutting uneven pieces or failing to take accurate measurements can result in lopsided or mismatched placemats. Take your time to measure and cut carefully.
4. Using Dull Sewing Needles: Using blunt or inappropriate needles for your fabric can cause fraying, uneven stitches, or damage the material altogether. Ensure your sewing machine is equipped with the correct needle type.
5. Rushing the Edges or Hemming: Skipping over hemming or not finishing the edges properly can result in frayed fabric and a less polished look. Always take the time to secure clean, finished edges.

What Kind of Batting Do You Use for Placemats?

Batting is the soft, insulating layer between fabric layers in quilts, blankets, and other crafts. Choosing the right type of batting is crucial for creating a functional and attractive product when it comes to placemats. The most commonly used types are cotton and polyester batting.

• Cotton Batting: This type of batting is 100% natural cotton fiber that provides excellent insulation and heat resistance. It’s also easy to work with, making it suitable for beginners. However, cotton batting may shrink or require pre-shrinking before use.
• Polyester Batting: Made from synthetic fibers, polyester batting is lightweight and durable. It’s a good choice for placemats as it resists shrinking and can withstand regular washing. However, it may not provide as much heat resistance as cotton batting.

When choosing the type of batting for your placemats, consider the level of insulation you need, how often they’ll be used, and your personal preference in terms of material.

Conclusion

How to sew placemat involves selecting the right materials, planning your design, and following proper techniques to achieve a polished finish.

Choose high-quality fabric and batting that suit your aesthetic and functional needs. Cut your fabric and batting to the desired size and shape, ensuring precision for a clean result. Layer the fabric with the batting in between, and secure it with pins or clips. Sew around the edges, leaving a small opening to turn the placemat right-side out.

Once turned, topstitch around the edges to close the opening and add a neat finish. Paying attention to detail and using proper tools can create beautiful, durable placemats suitable for everyday use or special occasions.