Placemats

Last year was my dear friend's 30th birthday, the first of my friends to celebrate such a milestone.  I really wanted to do something special with her to celebrate, unfortunately, I was a wee bit distracted as I was getting married the day before her wedding.  Since I couldn't celebrate with her last year, I wanted to do something special for her this year for her birthday.  

I chose to make her placemats for two reasons.  1) I know she loves owls and I was trying to think of something I could make that would use owl fabric that would be useful and 2) She received a set of beautiful placements at one of her bridal showers that I was at, so I knew she was a placement person :)

Then I was off on the hunt for some owl fabric.  My fabric store options are fairly limited where I live, but I was able to find a fun owl print.  I know the back side doesn't really match, but I wanted something a little more toned down that her husband would also enjoy.

These placements were fun and simple to make.  Now that I've made a set for a friend, I just might have to make some for me with some fun holiday prints to add to my collection!

What you need:

• 3/4 yard of two coordinating fabrics
• 3/4 yard Pellon (or something stiffer to put in the middle)
• Matching tread

What you do:

Decide what size you want your placemats to be.  I wanted mine to be fairly standard size/on the larger side. 

Cut your fabric one inch larger than you want your finished placemat to be.  I wanted to use my entire 3/4 of a yard of fabric, so I cut 4 pieces 19x13 (for finished placemats 18 inches by 12 inches)

Place your two fabrics right sides facing in.  Lay the Pellon on top.  Pin around the edges.

Using a 1/2 inch seam allowance, sew around all four edges of your placemat.  Leave a 4 inch opening on one short side for turning.  (I know this seems like a big seam allowance, but you really do want it this big!)

Clip your corners (to give you crisp edges when your turn your placemats right side out).  Turn placemats right side out.

 Iron along your opening, pressing the edges in.

Top stitch, using a 1/4 inch seam allowance around all four edges.  This is why it was important to have a 1/2 inch seam allowance.  Top stitching will hold all of your layers in place, even with washing and will close the hole you used for turning. 

 You can also use a fancy or decorative stitch to topstich your edges, or stitch in a contrasting color.  If you want to try your hand at quilting, this would be a nice small project to work with.  Quilting the layers would help hold them in place through many washings, but is not necessary.

I hope you enjoy making your own placemats!  Either for yourself or as a gift.  If you have any questions, let me know.

Have a great day!

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