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How to Sew Placemats

Sewing placemats is one of the absolute easiest sewing projects. It is perfect for children and adults who are learning to sew.

A handmade place mat on a table with plate, knife, and fork with text overlay.

The hardest part is choosing a fabric or two for your placemats. If you use a different fabric on each side, they can be reversible.

This placemat pattern is so quick to sew you will want to make them to set the table for holidays, special occasions, and everyday.

How about a unique fabric for each member of the family?

If you are new to sewing and nervous about cutting into your carefully selected fabric, print out these sewing practice sheets first.

Stitch along the longs of the paper until you get the hang of your machine. Then move onto sewing placemats when you are comfortable.

Ready to get started?

Supplies

Two printed cotton fabrics, rotary cutter, sewing clips, acrylic ruler, cutting mat
  • 1 yard Fabric (1/2 yard of each fabric if you are using two)
  • Coordinating Thread
  • Sewing Clips
  • Rotary Cutter
  • Acrylic Ruler
  • Cutting Mat
  • Iron
  • Ironing Board
  • Sewing Machine

It is best to use 100% cotton fabric for this project. Quilting cotton is available in tons of prints and is a good choice.

It is prone to shrink, so wash, dry and press the fabric. Then make sure square up the fabric before cutting it too.

How to Sew Placemats

Begin by cutting your fabric into 13″ x 20″ rectangles. You will need two rectangles for each placemat.

Two fabrics cut to size with rotary cutter and acrylic ruler

Layer two of the rectangles on top of each other with right sides together.

Align the edges, then use sewing clips or straight pins to hold them in place.

Two layers of fabric stacked with right sides together, held with sewing clips around perimeter

Now use your sewing machine to sew around the perimeter using a 1/4″ seam allowance. Leave a 4″ opening on one side for turning.

When approaching a corner, stop sewing one seam allowance away from the edge. Then lift the footer. Turn the fabric, and continue sewing down the next side.

Sewing machine stitching around placemat

Next, reach through the opening and turn the placemat right side out.

Turning the placemat right side out

A turning tool or chopstick can be helpful to gently press the corners out to a point.

Right side out placemat with turning tool

Press the placemat. (Don’t skip this step! Pressing is important to achieve a professional looking sewing project.)

Right side out placemat with opening at side

Tuck the opening into itself, and clip to hold.

Three sewing clips holding the opening closed

Finally, top stitch all the way around the placemat as close the edge as possible with your sewing machine.

Two fabric placemats in different fabrics - one with mustard yellow flowers and the other with bees, flowers and foliage

You made a placemat!

Fabric placemat featuring flowers and bees print with place setting

The fabric will hold up well to crumbs and spills. Launder the placemats when needed. Pressing after laundering may be needed.

Yield: 2 Placemats

Placemat Sewing Pattern

Fabric placemat featuring flowers and bees print with place setting

Follow this simple sewing pattern for how to make placemats.

Active Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Difficulty Easy
Estimated Cost $5.00

Materials

  • 1 yard Fabric (1/2 yard of each fabric if you are using two)
  • Coordinating Thread

Tools

  • Sewing Clips
  • Rotary Cutter
  • Acrylic Ruler
  • Cutting Mat
  • Iron
  • Ironing Board
  • Sewing Machine

Instructions

  1. Wash, dry and press fabric
  2. Square fabric
  3. Cut four rectangles 13" x 20"
  4. Stack two rectangles with right sides together
  5. Clip and repeat for remaining rectangles
  6. Sew with 1/4" seam allowance, leaving 4" gap
  7. Turn right side out
  8. Push out corners
  9. Press
  10. Close gap and clip
  11. Top stitch around perimeter

Notes

100% cotton fabric is recommended

Recommended Products

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Did you make this project?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

Yellow sewing machine drawing above Beginner Sewing Projects Text Logo.

Beginner Sewing Projects is a site filled with quick and easy sewing projects that anyone can make. In addition to sewing projects for beginners, you will find crafts made with felt and sewing tips and techniques. Every post contains easy to follow instructions and photos for you to successfully complete the project.

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Rachel Good

Monday 11th of December 2023

Thanks Kathy. I lived just a block from you in C. Falls and really enjoyed a few classes that you had. Was thrilled to find you here

Kathie Lapcevic

Wednesday 13th of December 2023

Thanks so much for stopping by here!

Anna

Wednesday 7th of September 2022

Fat quarters would work for this.

Kristie L Gangwer

Friday 3rd of July 2020

I have some fabric with a chicken print to match my kitchen... or use the fabric with the veggies. Both would look great. Thanks for the idea.

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