Creating sewing patterns for placemats is a fun and creative project. Here's a simple pattern for making rectangular placemats with rounded corners. Feel free to customize the measurements and design to suit your preferences.
Materials:
- Fabric (main fabric and coordinating fabric for backing)
- Batting or fusible fleece for padding (optional)
- Coordinating thread
- Sewing machine
- Scissors
- Iron
- Pins
- Ruler or measuring tape
Instructions:
1. Gather materials and measure:
- Decide on the size of your placemats. A standard size is approximately 12 x 18 inches, but you can adjust based on your preferences.
- Add seam allowances (usually 1/2 inch) to all sides of your desired placemat size.
2. Cut the fabric:
- Cut one piece from the main fabric and one from the backing fabric to the desired size.
3. Optional: Add padding (batting or fusible fleece):
- If you want your placemats to be a bit thicker, cut a piece of batting or fusible fleece to match the size of the fabric pieces.
- Place the batting between the main fabric and the backing fabric, and baste the layers together.
4. Round the corners:
- To create rounded corners, use a round object (such as a cup or a lid) to trace and cut the corners of the placemat.
5. Pin and sew:
- Place the main fabric and backing fabric right sides together, aligning the edges.
- Pin around the edges, leaving a small opening (about 4 inches) on one side for turning.
6. Sew around the edges:
- Using a straight stitch, sew around the edges of the placemat, leaving the opening unsewn.
7. Clip corners and turn:
- Clip the excess fabric at the rounded corners to reduce bulk.
- Turn the placemat right side out through the opening.
8. Press:
- Press the placemat with an iron to smooth out any wrinkles and define the shape.
9. Close the opening:
- Fold the raw edges of the opening inside and pin.
- Topstitch around the entire placemat, closing the opening and giving a finished look.
10. Optional: Add decorative stitching:
- If desired, add decorative stitching along the edges or any other embellishments to personalize your placemats.
Repeat these steps for each placemat you want to make. This basic pattern provides a starting point, and you can get creative with fabric choices, trims, and embellishments to match your style.
