DIY Place Mats

This is a super easy sewing project that is good practice for a beginning seamstress. By using fabric you already own, clearance fabric, or fabric from a thrift store piece (even something like a high quality sheet or curtain could be re-purposed) you can dress up your table for pennies. A nice set of place mats could make a lovely gift.

Homemade Place Mats

• Fabric
• Coordinating thread

1. Cut two pieces of fabric into a 13" by 18" rectangle, or use a place mat you already have that you like the size as a pattern, cutting an extra 1/2 inch around the whole piece for a seam allowance.
2. Place right sides of the fabric together. Pin to secure edges.
3. Using 1/2 inch seam allowance, sew almost all the whole way around the rectangle, leaving a few inch gap open for turning.
4. Turn right side out. Pin open edge shut.
5. Top-stitch gap shut and around the entire place mat to prevent the place mat from bunching or pulling.