Summer placemats tutorial

It's summer and my kids love the seasonal fruits: strawberries, blueberries, cherries, and watermelon! Since I know some messy eaters (truth be told, I am one of them), I decided to make my own placemats that matches the season and most importantly, be easy to clean.  I realized that I could repurpose a vinyl tablecloth to create placemats. Vinyl is easy to wipe down and is flexible enough to bend and roll up. After sewing one placemat, I went ahead and created three more for the rest of my family:

I love the print of these placemats, and they are very functional - we are using them everyday.

Interested in making some too?

Here's how I did it:

SUPPLIES:

• Vinyl table cloth (I purchased the Summer Berries Eco-Vinyl Tablecloth, 52"x 90" . It was $12 at the time of purchase on Amazon. Now, vinyl tablecloths can get wrinkled up in the package, so I suggest looking for one with a good pattern to hide the wrinkles. You won't be able to iron the tablecloth, as heat will melt this material. With the one I purchased, I estimated I can probably make 8+ placemats)
• An existing placemat (which will serve as a pattern you'd like to copy)
• Iron on fusible interfacing  (this gives weight and strengthens the placemat)
• Fabric scissors
• Point turner or chopsticks (helps push out corners)
• Matching thread 
• Pen or a disappearing ink pen
• Clips (I used binder clips but I heard good things about Wonderclips. We'll use this to keep the material together when we sew. Don't use pins because they make holes in the vinyl.)
• Iron and ironing board (to iron on the fusible interfacing)
• Any large fabric to cover the placemat (this will be used to protect the vinyl when ironing the fusible interfacing)
• Sewing machine 

INSTRUCTIONS: 

For one placemat, you will need to cut out three pieces: two pieces from the tablecloth (a front and back) and one piece from the fusible interfacing.

1. To get the two pieces from the table cloth, fold the tablecloth in half with the pattern inside (right sides together). Tip: Depending on your pattern, you may want to check to make sure the table cloth images/patterns are lined up and matching correctly.

2. Place your existing placemat on top, and trace around the placemat.

3. Cut out the pattern. You now have two pieces which are the front and back of your placemat.

4. Next, place your existing placemat on the fusible interfacing and trace around the placemat. Cut out the pattern. 

Now you have the three pieces for your placemat!

5. Next, iron the fusible interfacing on to one of the placemat pieces.  Place one of the placemat pieces face down (right side down, wrong side up) on the ironing board. 

6. Place the fusible interfacing on top of that placemat piece, ensuring the side with the glue (the rough side) is face down. Properly align it with the bottom piece.

7. Then place the fabric you have on hand on top the fusible interfacing. This will protect the vinyl material from the heat. 

8. Set your iron on low heat and press for about 8 seconds on one area and work your way until the entire area has been pressed down.  Keep checking to make sure the interfacing is stuck on well. If not, repeat with iron over cloth in that area. If you have excess interfacing sticking out, no worries, just snip them off.

9. Sewing time! Now take your final two pieces and place them right sides together (the patterns are facing each other). Again, check to see if the patterns are properly lined up / pointing the same direction, etc. Using your clips, clip pieces together.   

10. We'll leave one area open (wide enough so your fist can fit through) so you can turn the placemat inside out.  Mark the opening with your pen to remind you not to sew in between those lines.

11. With a stitch length of 3.5, seam 1/4, sew around the placemat, avoiding the opening. Remember to always back stitch at the start and at the end. Go slow and steady if you must, making sure to remove the clips as you sew.  

12. Before we turn the placemat inside out, clip corners and any excess material. 

13. Turn the placemat inside out. Use a chopstick or turner to push out the sides and corners. Then flatten and push any air out of the placemat (tip: use arms or something small and heavy to help). If you do not do this, you will have a puffy and probably unusable placemat.

14. Sew the first round of top stitches which will also close up the hole. At the hole, fold a bit of the top and bottom material in, and place a clip or two to keep the hole shut. With a stitch length of 5.0 and 1/4 seam, sew a top stitch all around the placemat. Remember to always back stitch at the start and at the end.

15. To add some detail, sew a second round of top stitches. Begin at the same starting point and then top stitch 1/2 inches away from your original stitch. Again, 5.0 length and always back stitch at the start and at the end.

Cut any loose thread and you're done! Continue making more to make a set for your family or roommates, or give away as a house warming gift.