The Great Indoors: Stenciled Place Mats

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Craft  
fabric place mats sewing stencil tabletop tableware
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    Bring a little of the outdoors in with verdure-printed placemats.
  • 16-placemats
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    Tip: Instead of buying canvas fabric, recycle old totes, curtains, or other outmoded items.
ReadyMade

Posted by ReadyMade  
Project by Carrie Winegarden; photos by Leslie Williamson

Most of us have just one set of standard, solid-colored everyday plates that come up short when it’s time for a dinner party. But adding an organic pattern or texture to the mix livens up even the dullest tableware. You can follow our tips for how to make these place mats from scratch, or buy the pre-made canvas variety and apply your own image. Either way, the first item of cocktail conversation will be how very crafty you are.

Skill Level

Moderate

Active Time

One day

Cost

$$

    Materials

  • 2 yards of canvas fabric (for six mats)
  • 12" by 18" piece of paper
  • Spool of thread to match fabric
  • Image printed from your computer (a silhouette works best)
  • Spray mount
  • Piece of chipboard to match the size of your stencil
  • Bottle of Tulip Cool Color Spray fabric paint

    Tools

  • Scissors
  • Ruler
  • Pencil or fabric marker
  • Sewing machine
  • Iron
  • Needle
  • X-acto knife
  • Cutting mat (optional)
 
1

Cut the fabric into 13" by 19" rectangles (leaving a 1/2" seam allowance on each edge). Every place mat requires two pieces of fabric (e.g., for six mats, make 12 rectangles).

2

Lay two of your cut pieces on the table, one atop the other, position the 12" x 18" paper over them, and trace around the paper with a pencil or fabric marker.

3

Sew along the line you just drew, making sure to leave a hand-sized opening.

4

Using the hole, pull the place mat right-side out. Iron it flat.

5

Sew a 3/8" seam around the edges for a finished look. Hand-sew the opening closed.

6

Now it’s time to make the stencil: Spray mount your image onto the chipboard.

7

Cut out the pattern with an X-acto knife.

8

Apply a thin layer of spray mount to one side of your stencil. Once the glue starts to dry and gets tacky, set the stencil on the place mat, making sure the edges are stuck down well so there are no errant paint marks.