How To Make A Placemat

See how to make a placemat and add a fresh touch to your dining table with these super quick diy placemats - probably the easiest ones you'll ever sew!

They also make fantastic diy handmade gifts.

And they are perfect if you're new to sewing. I know I say that a lot these days, but really, trust me on this one: super simple. Like 2-stitching-lines simple. Let me show you how to make a set of reversible placemats in under 30 minutes!

This post contains affiliate links. Thanks for your support. If you like sewing for home, check out these popular patterns too:

• Trinket Tray And Pencil Holder - Free Pattern
• This diy envelope pillowcase (Easy To Sew + BEAUTIFUL!!)
• or make your dining room look beautiful with this diy table runner.

Back to our placemats. This pattern for placemat is super simple, in fact these diy placemats are probably the easiest home sewing project you could ever do - mix and match with this pillow cover and these diy napkins!

I made these cute and super fast diy placemats to add a little color and style to our Valentines' dinner - the easy way! Actually, I did not want to use them just on Valentine's day, so I skipped the hearts on fabric and used one of my fav floral prints from my stash (it sparkles! But I can't convince my camera to show that, sorry. Looks like you'll have to take my word for it LOL). This way, I can always add a few pompoms, a heart decoration and here it is - a perfect Valentines' dinner setting. And they mix and match so well with this diy Valentines mug rug!

And they are reversible, just in case you change your mind and want to change the color! Now to think which of these free table runner patterns I should use to make a matching table runner...

EDIT - This tutorial is part of the new SewPretty HOME series - it's free:

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What is the Best Size for A Diy Placemat?

Where I live, the standard size for rectangular placemats is 45 by 35cm (18" by 14"). I made them a bit smaller to go with another set I've already got (Love mixing and matching? Me too!)

But there is no hard rule about the sizing of your diy placemats. If your tabletop space is limited, feel free to adjust the sizing, good alternatives are 18 by 13", or even 14" by 11" still works great on smaller tables.

Next come supplies and a step-by-step tutorial. Short on time? Save this tutorial to Pinterest for later using this link and so you're ready when it's time to sew:

Supplies And Tools to Sew Diy placemats

Supplies:

• 2 fat quarters or half-yard of fabric per placemat
• half the fabric size of fusible fleece, interfacing, or batting
• matching thread, sewing machine, iron, pins or sewing clips, scissors

Also, good to have: rotary cutter, quilting ruler, and a self-healing cutting mat (I have 5 of them, all these by Olfa)

For detailed tips on what fabric is best for placemats, and what interfacing/batting/fleece to use, see the end of this tutorial.

How To Make A Placemat that is reversible

I'll give directions to make one placemat, so I don't confuse you with multiples of pieces required. But bear in mind that placemats get really pretty when made in sets.

Step 1 - Cut Your Fabric And Fusible Fleece

Cut two 18" by 14" rectangles from your fabric and one rectangle from fusible fleece - this one should be smaller by an inch both in width and length.

Step 2 - Add Fusible fleece

Add fusible fleece to the back of one fabric piece. Usually, I'd fuse the fleece to the fabric I plan to have facing down, for the most part. Here it's the raspberry solid.

Step 3 - Sewing Step

Place the two pieces right-sides-together and sew around using a ½" (1.3cm) seam allowance. Make sure to leave a gap of a few inches for turning on one short side.

Step 4 - Clip Corners

Clip the corners for a neat and clean finish.

Step 5 - Turn Right-Side-Out

Turn right side out, poke the corners out and press well. Turn the raw edges on the turning hole towards the inside and press, too.

Step 6 - Topstitch Your Diy placemat

Topstitch around the entire placemat using a seam allowance of up to ¼" (0.7cm) - this will close the turning gap, too.

Oh, and your topstitching will look prettier if you use a longer stitch length than usual. Call me crazy, but I go all the way up to 4 mm and it always looks good! (recalculating.. my 4mm would mean something between 6 and 7 stitches per inch. Looong, right!)

To add more style, you can topstitch again, this time ½" (1.3cm) away from the original topstitching seam, or even farther away, like 1 inch (2.5 cm). In addition to making the placemat prettier, it will also make the outer edge more stable. This is one of my placemats with a double topstitching:

Your diy placemat is finished. I hope you've enjoyed this how to make a placemat tutorial. Make a few more using the same placemat pattern (same sizing!) and you've got a lovely diy Valentines day set!

Just a few more questions to answer for my readers (you):

What is the best fabric for placemats?

Natural fiber, absolutely. You want it to be easily washable, it must stand the warmth radiating from your plate (or casserole) - and you probably love it when the materials are available in tons of colors and prints. This is why my go-to material for diy placemats is quilting cotton. Linen and canvas are amazing too, oh - and chambray works beautifully for placemats, and potholders too - take a look here!

What interfacing to use for placemats?

Placemats will turn out just a bit differently when using different materials for the layer that comes between the fabric. The easiest way - fusible fleece. This is what we'll use in the tutorial. But you've got additional options:

• medium-weight fusible interfacing will make your placemats a bit stiffer. Sturdiness, stability, however you call it, will bring them closer to the look of the store-bought placemats. If using fusible interfacing, definitely topstitch around to keep the layers in place. Same as when using the fusible fleece.
• quilting batting will make them softer, and those are beautiful when you add quilting. Use cotton to make it heat resistant, poly blends are good if you're just after decoration and not copncerned about high temperature.
• Or, if you want to make your placemat 'properly' heat resistant (so it can also double as a hotpad!), you can use Insul-Bright as interfacing layer. (I use this one). It's a special, sew-in interfacing product you usually use when sewing potholders and oven mitts. Also, you can read more about it in my interfacing guide for beginners.

Now make the table and enjoy your new diy decorated home. Happy Valentines, Galentines or whatever you choose to celebrate!

Make sure to save this easy project for a quick sewing fix when you need it:

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