Learning how to make a placemat is easy and here I will show you how to create 4 different methods so you can individualize your table settings. Placemats protect your table surfaces from stains and marks as well as adding a pop of color to your dining room. They make great gifts and are perfect for seasonal and special occasions.
Contents
How to Make a Placemat
A placemat is essentially a piece of fabric larger than your place settings that is designed to protect your table. They are typically rectangular in shape so all you need to do to learn how to make a placemat is to choose which edge finishing method you would like to use.
If you are an absolute beginner, the reversible placemats are the easiest and will only take you 10 minutes or so to make. Less time if you make a batch!
The 4 types of placemats are:
- Hemmed Placemats - These have a double-fold hem and corners folded on the diagonal.
- Reversible Placemats - One of the easiest placemats for beginners, these have the seams hidden inside and can be made in 2 separate fabrics.
- Bias Trimmed Placemats - Bias tape can be used to add a pop of color and is perfect for thicker placemats where you can't turn over the edges.
- Self Binding Placemats - These use the underneath fabric to make an attractive border. While it looks similar to the bias trimmed placemats on top, they are a little quicker and easier to sew.
Best Fabrics for Placemats
The best fabrics for placemats are cotton and linen. These natural fibers will absorb any spills and protect your table. They are also easy to sew and economical to purchase. Look for medium weight fabrics such as quilting cotton and decorator fabrics.
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Style #1 - Hemmed Placemats
This placemat pattern has a simple double fold hem with mitered corners. Mitered corners are a square corner with a diagonal join and are neat and attractive.
Cutting Sizes
Cut 1 piece of fabric in the following sizes:
| Placemat Size | Fabric Cutting Size | |
| 13x13" (33x33cm) | 14.5x14.5" (37x37cm) | |
| 12x18" (30.5x46cm) | 13.5x19.5" (34x49.5cm) | |
| 14x18" (35.5x46cm) | 15.5x19.5" (39x49.5cm) | |
| 14x20" (35.5x51cm) | 15.5x21.5" (39x54.5cm) |
Sewing
Read more about how to sew mitered corners.
- On the wrong side, press over the edges by ¼ inch (6mm).
- Press over the edges again by ¾ inch (2cm).
- Open the pressed edges.
- Cut across the diagonal in the corner as shown below.
- Press over the corner through the inner crease point
- Fold the pressed edges back up and pin the corner in a diagonal.
- Stitch the hem.
Style #2 - Reversible Placemats
I love anything reversible. Not only can you double up on looks but all your edges and any messy sewing are hidden making it the easiest style for beginners.
Supplies
- Fabric for the top and bottom of the placemat. This can be matching or contrasting.
- Optional - Interfacing
Cutting Sizes
Placemats can come in any size so measure the size you would like and add ½ inch (12mmm) seam allowance all the way around.
Here are some suggested sizes. The most common size is 14x18 inches (38x48cm) but you may like to go bigger or smaller.
| Placemat Size | Fabric Cutting Size (Cut 2) | |
| 13x13" (33x33cm) | 14x14" (35.5x35.5cm) | |
| 12x18" (30.5x46cm) | 13x19" (33x48cm) | |
| 14x18" (35.5x46cm) | 15x19" (38x48cm) | |
| 14x20" (35.5x51cm) | 15x21" (38x53cm) |
Sewing
- For thin fabric, press some interfacing on the back of one of the pieces. If you are using a fabric like quilting cotton this is not usually necessary as the double layer is thick enough to mop up any spills.
- Place your 2 pieces of fabric with right sides together and pin the edges.
- Stitch all the way around leaving a 3 inch (7.5cm) gap on one side
- Clip the corners at a diagonal
- Turn the placemat to the right side through the gap and give it a good press making sure the corners are poked out well. The seam allowance at the gap should be pressed to the inside.
- Topstitch all the way around the placemat close to the edge. This will close the gap so you don't have to hand sew it.
And there you have a reversible mat!
Style #3 - Quilted Placemats
You can use plain fabric and then quilt it or create a patchwork design and then cut it to size.
Cutting Sizes
Choose the size of placemat you would like and then cut 1 top, 1 bottom and 1 batting. The batting should be low loft or fusible fleece also works well
| Placemat Size | Fabric Cutting Size (Cut 2 fabric, 1 batting) | |
| 13x13" (33x33cm) | 13x13" (33x33cm) | |
| 12x18" (30.5x46cm) | 12x18" (30.5x46cm) | |
| 14x18" (35.5x46cm) | 14x18" (35.5x46cm) | |
| 14x20" (35.5x51cm) | 14x20" (35.5x51cm) |
Sewing
- If you are using fusible fleece, fuse it to the wrong side of the backing. For batting that is not fusible, use some long tacking stitches to hold it in place.
- Put the front and back wrong sides together.
- Use quilting stitches to sew through all layers. This can be in a grid formation or diagonal.
- Baste around the edges.
- Bind the edges with a contrast fabric. Learn how to bind a quilt.
Style #4 - Placemats with Self Binding
Self binding placemats look very similar to bias tape ones from the top. The difference is that instead of using a separate piece of bias tape, it uses the backing fabric to fold over and create an attractive border.
Cutting Sizes
Here are some standard sized placemats and some cutting sizes for the front and the back. If you wish to use interfacing, cut it the same size as the front and fuse to the front fabric.
| Placemat Size | Fabric Front (Cut 1) | Fabric Back (Cut 1) | |
| 13x13" (33x33cm) | 13x13" (33x33cm) | 17x17" (43x43cm) | |
| 12x18" (30.5x46cm) | 12x18" (30.5x46cm) | 16x22" (40.5x56cm) | |
| 14x18" (35.5x46cm) | 14x18" (35.5x46cm) | 18x22" (46x56cm) | |
| 14x20" (35.5x51cm) | 14x20" (35.5x51cm) | 18x24 (46x61cm) |
Sewing
Read more about how to bind a quilt.
- Patchwork or finish the front.
- Neaten the edges with a rotary cutter.
- Place the front on top of the backing right in the center. You may put some kind of fleece or batting in between. Quilt through all layers.
- Cut the backing fabric so it is now 1 inch (2.5cm) larger than the front all the way around.
- Fold the corners on the diagonal and trim the excess fabric to ⅜ inch (1cm)
- Fold the binding in half.
- Fold again covering the raw edges of the placemat. Neaten the corners and hold with pins.
- Stitch all the way around.
Decoration Ideas
Sew some ric-rac or lace into the seam. Embroidery can elevate your placemats to something truely unique and personalized.
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