Safety Notice: Handmade items made from this pattern may contain small parts or long cords that pose choking or strangulation risks. Not suitable for children under 3 years. Please see the full safety disclaimer at sewmag.co.uk/safety.
It’s super easy to whip up pretty placemats using this handy kit. Simply iron the fabric to the mat then attach a coordinating binding. We created matching napkins and rings using bold Art Gallery fabrics to make a statement dinner set.
Make a place mat
Cut two rectangles of fabric, slightly larger than the pre-cut mats from the kit, one from yellow patterned material and one from blue. Lay one piece face down onto the ironing board, position a placemat on top, making sure the edges are levelled with the pattern on the fabric. Place the remaining rectangle on top with the right side facing out, again squaring the pattern with the edges of the mat. Place a cloth on top then press. Turn the piece over and repeat the process. Trim the excess fabric close to the edges of the mat.
Next make the bias binding. The bias of a piece of fabric is a 45o angle from the selvage of the fabric. The strips need to be 4cm wide and as long as the fabric will allow. You may need to join the bias strips to make enough to attach to the four sides of the mat, do this by laying and stitching the two ends at right angles to each other, making sure that the right sides of the fabric are facing each other. When the bias is opened the strip will continue in one line.
Pass the strip through a bias binding folder, pressing the sides in as you go. Carefully fold and press the binding in half again lengthways. Slot the binding over the cut curved edges of the mat and then machine edge stitch in place. Fold in the raw end, lap it over the starting point and complete the stitching. Repeat to make as many as required.
Make a napkin and ring
Cut a 5cm x 12cm strip of buckram then a 12cm x 14cm strip of fabric. Fold the fabric strip in half lengthways with the right sides facing. Stitch the two edges together with a 1cm seam allowance, creating a tube. Turn the tube to the right side, centre the seam and press flat. Thread the buckram inside the tube and fold in the excess fabric at one end, take the remaining end and place inside the turned one creating a ring; hand stitch in place.