Sofia Martinez
Sewing plastic covers on placemats is a simple project for beginner sewists. It is a practical way to protect your tables and add a little colour and style to your dining experience. You can use a variety of fabrics, such as cotton linen blends, quilting cotton, laminated cotton, or oil cloth, and choose to make your placemats reversible for a fun change of style. Sewing your own placemats allows you to pick the fabric yourself and make them in any size or shape you desire. This project only requires sewing in a straight line and turning corners, making it an excellent way to practice your basic sewing skills.
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right fabric
When it comes to choosing the right fabric for your placemats, there are several factors to consider, such as ease of cleaning, durability, and desired aesthetic. Here are some options to consider:
Natural Fabrics
Natural fabrics such as linen and 100% cotton in a canvas thickness are excellent choices for placemats. They are effective at releasing stains and can be found in various colours and prints. However, these fabrics can become bulky on the seams and finished edges, so consider using thinner weights or interfacing for added stability.
Coated and Vinyl Fabrics
If you're looking for a wipe-and-go option, coated or vinyl fabrics are ideal. These fabrics are often used in interior decorating and offer a wide range of design choices. Vinyl fabrics, such as marine vinyl, are easy to work with and can be sewn to create a wipeable surface on both sides.
Oilcloth
Oilcloth is a popular choice for placemats as it is easy to work with and comes in various colours and prints. It is a plastic-coated fabric that is wipeable and washable. Oilcloth does not fray, so it does not require hemming, making it a convenient option for no-sew placemats.
Quilter's Cotton
Quilter's cotton is a versatile option for placemats. It can be quilted with a layer of thin cotton batting in between for added durability. This fabric washes well and holds up nicely over time. You can also consider using a spray-on treatment like Scotchgard or Kiwi Camp Dry to enhance its stain resistance.
Outdoor Fabric
Outdoor fabrics, such as Sunbrella and Phifertex, are excellent choices for placemats due to their water and stain resistance. They are designed to withstand the elements and are perfect for both indoor and outdoor use. These fabrics are stiff and do not fray, making them easy to work with and ideal for no-sew placemats.
When selecting your fabric, consider the desired size of your placemats and whether you want them to be double-sided or reversible. Remember to allow for seam allowances and, if necessary, purchase interfacing or stabilizers to enhance the structure of your placemats.
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Preparing the fabric
Choosing the Fabric
The first step is to choose the right fabric for your placemats. Consider selecting a natural fibre, such as cotton linen blends, as recommended by some sources. You can also opt for laminated cotton fabric or oilcloth, which is easy to work with and can be wiped clean. If you want to make reversible placemats, choose two different fabrics that complement each other and your dining setup.
Measuring and Cutting the Fabric
Before cutting your fabric, decide on the size of your placemats. Standard rectangular placemats are typically 12 inches by 18 inches, but you can adjust the size to fit your table or personal preference. For a set of four placemats, you will need about two yards of fabric. Use a rotary cutter, metal ruler, and self-healing cutting mat to measure and cut your fabric to the desired size.
Prewashing the Fabric
It is advisable to prewash your fabric before sewing to prevent any shrinkage or distortion when the placemats are washed later. This step ensures that your placemats maintain their shape and size.
Adding Interfacing (Optional)
If you want to add more weight and stiffness to your placemats, you can fuse lightweight interfacing to the fabric. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for adhering the interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric. You will only need interfacing on one side of the fabric. This step can be skipped if you plan to quilt your placemat or use batting.
If you choose to quilt your placemats, you will need an additional piece of fabric and batting or fusible fleece. Cut the batting or fleece to the same size as your fabric, usually 13" x 18". Layer the batting between the two pieces of fabric, and quilt through all the layers using a walking foot. You can sew vertical lines or experiment with different quilting designs.
Finalising the Fabric Preparation
Once you have completed the above steps, your fabric should be ready for the next stages of sewing your placemats. Remember to refer to the specific sewing tutorial you are following for any additional fabric preparation steps they may require.
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Quilting the fabric
Quilting your fabric is a great way to make your placemats more durable and long-lasting. It's also a fun way to add some extra colour and style to your dining table. Here's a step-by-step guide to quilting your fabric for placemats:
Step 1: Prepare the Fabric Layers
Gather your fabric pieces and lay them out flat. You will need two pieces of fabric for each placemat, one for the front and one for the back. Cut your fabric to the desired size, usually around 13" x 18" for a standard rectangular placemat. If you want to make reversible placemats, choose two different prints or colours for each side. Additionally, you will need a piece of batting or fusible fleece in the same size as your fabric to create a layered structure.
Step 2: Layer and Quilt
Place the piece of batting or fusible fleece between the two layers of fabric, creating a fabric sandwich. Starting in the middle, use a walking foot to quilt through all the layers. Quilt by sewing straight lines or a pattern of your choice. Smooth out the layers as you go to ensure they stay flat and aligned. Continue quilting until all the layers are securely attached.
Step 3: Trim and Bind
Trim the quilted fabric to your desired placemat size, ensuring straight edges. Use a ruler and a rotary cutter for accuracy. Then, place the raw edge of the binding strip (bias tape) along the raw edge of the placemat. Sew a straight line about 1/4" from the edge, pivoting at the corners. Fold back the binding strip at a 45-degree angle along the sewn line and crease with your fingernail.
Step 4: Finish the Binding
Fold the binding over the edge of the placemat, enclosing the raw edges. Secure the binding with binding clips. Stitch the binding in place, either by hand or using a machine. Ensure your stitches blend in by having them extend past the previous stitch line. Backstitch when your final stitches overlap the first ones.
Step 5: Topstitch (Optional)
For added style and stability, consider topstitching around the entire placemat. Use a longer stitch length for a prettier finish. You can topstitch once or even add a second row of topstitching farther away from the original seam for a unique look.
Quilting your placemats adds a layer of padding and makes them reversible, allowing you to easily switch up the style of your table setting. It's a fun and creative process that can be tailored to your personal preferences.
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Cutting the fabric
Once you've decided on the size, cut your fabric accordingly. If you're using a natural fiber like cotton linen, prewash the fabric to prevent shrinking or distortion when you wash your placemats. Cut the fabric to the desired size using a rotary cutter, a metal ruler, and a self-healing cutting mat. This will ensure straight and precise cuts.
If you want to quilt your placemats, cut the fabric for the front and back slightly larger than your desired placemat size. For example, cut a 13" x 18" piece of quilting cotton for the front and a 14" x 19" piece for the back. This will give you room to work with when quilting and trimming the placemat down to size.
Additionally, if you choose to add interfacing to your placemats for more weight and stability, cut the interfacing to size as well. Fuse it to the wrong side of the fabric, following the manufacturer's instructions, before trimming the fabric to the final placemat size.
Remember, when cutting your fabric, it's always better to start with a larger piece and trim it down as needed. You can make adjustments as you go, but you can't add more fabric back once it's cut!
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Sewing the fabric
Sewing your own placemats is a great beginner project, as it only requires sewing in a straight line and turning corners. You can make your placemats reversible, quilted, or double-sided, depending on your preference.
Firstly, prewash your fabric so that the placemats can be washed and dried without any shrinking or distortion. Cut your fabric to the desired size, with a standard rectangular placemat being 12 by 18 inches. You can adjust the sizing and shape, but keep in mind that curves are more challenging to sew if you're a beginner.
If you want to quilt your placemat, layer a piece of batting between the two pieces of fabric. Quilt through all the layers, using your hands to smooth out the layers as you go. Trim the placemat to size, ensuring straight edges on all sides. Sew a straight line about 1/4" from the edge, pivoting at the corners. Fold back the binding strip at a 45-degree angle and crease.
If you don't want to quilt your placemat, fuse lightweight interfacing to the front and back fabrics for added weight. Place the right sides of the fabric together and pin in place, marking two points 4 inches apart to leave an opening for turning later. Stitch around the placemat with a 3/8-inch seam allowance, backing stitch at the marks. Trim the corners, then turn the placemat right side out, poking out the corners. Roll the seams to flatten them out and press.
To finish, topstitch around the placemat, backstitching at the beginning and end. You can add a second row of topstitching for a prettier look and a more stable edge.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use plastic-coated fabric, laminated cotton fabric, marine vinyl, or oil cloth fabric to make plastic covers for placemats.
You will need a rotary cutter, a metal ruler, a self-healing cutting mat, and your chosen fabric. You can also use a sewing machine, fabric scissors, pins, and clips.
First, cut and measure your fabric to the desired size for your placemat. Then, use a rotary cutter and metal ruler on a self-healing cutting mat to cut the fabric. Sew the fabric together, leaving a gap for turning it right side out. Turn the placemat right side out, poke out the corners, and press. Finally, sew the gap closed and topstitch around the placemat.
