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Sewing placemats: How beginners can do it too

11.02.2017 by Sabine Schmidt

Tischset nähen: So schaffen es auch Anfänger

Place mats turn your breakfast table into a warm, cozy place that no one wants to leave voluntarily. ;) With these instructions, even sewing beginners can quickly and easily sew the most beautiful place mats. I’ll show you how to do it step by step.

The most important things at a glance

  • With these step-by-step instructions, even sewing beginners can quickly and easily sew the most beautiful place mats
  • These place mats measure 33 x 45 cm, but you can also make them in any other size you like
  • You can also sew wonderful mug rugs to match these great place mats using these instructions
  • Looking for even more place mats? Then take a look here and here

Sewing place mats in just a few steps

Sewing a place mat is a brilliant project that you can also do with your children or grandchildren. Maybe you’d even like to make an individual set for each family member? These place mats also make wonderful gifts that can be sewn quickly. By the way, my place mats measure 33 x 45 cm. And to match the place mat, you can also use my instructions to sew beautiful mug rugs.

Sewing place mats

Materials you need for a place mat

What you need for the appliqué

  • Motif from fabric
  • Vliesofix* for fixing
  • Iron

Pictures of the finished place mats

Sewing place mats
Sewing place mats
Sewing place mats
Sewing place mats

Do you like the "Sewing place mats" tutorial?

Then feel free to leave me a comment! :)

See you soon and happy simple sewing,

your Sabine

Frequently Asked Questions

What size are the finished place mats in these instructions?

My place mats measure 33 x 45 cm. If you like, you can also sew beautiful mug rugs to match the place mat using my instructions.

How long does the bias tape need to be for a place mat?

To bind the place mats, you need approx. 1.70 meters of bias tape. You can use purchased tape or simply make it yourself. I show you how to do that in the instructions.

Links marked with * are affiliate links: If you make a purchase through them, we receive a small commission. The price remains the same for you.

Step-by-step instructions

Sew a placemat: step by step

Step-by-step tutorial for a placemat (33 x 45 cm) with fabric appliqué and homemade binding.

  1. Step

    Iron Vliesofix onto the motif

    Iron the Vliesofix onto the motif you want to decorate the placemat with.

    Iron Vliesofix onto the motif
  2. Step

    Iron the motif onto the top and appliqué it

    Now iron the motif onto the top fabric in the desired spot (e.g. 7 cm from the edge).

    Sew it on with a narrow zigzag stitch.

    Iron the motif onto the top and appliqué it
  3. Step

    Make your own binding

    Cut fabric strips 6 cm wide (along the grainline).

    Place the ends of the fabric strips on top of each other as shown in the photo, pin them and draw a diagonal line at a 45° angle. Sew along the line with a straight stitch.

    Cut away the excess fabric and press the seam allowance open.

    Press the fabric strips in half lengthwise, wrong sides together.

    Make your own binding
  4. Step

    Layer the placemat

    Place the interfaced fabric for the front face down.

    Lay the fabric piece for the back on top and pin everything together.

    Layer the placemat
  5. Step

    Attach the binding

    Place the binding along one edge, hold it in place with wonder clips or pins and, starting 5 cm from the end, sew the binding on with a straight stitch, a presser-foot width from the edge.

    Attach the binding
  6. Step

    Fold the corners and join the start and end

    Sew up to a presser-foot width before the corner and backstitch.

    Fold the binding to the right, forming a little pleat, then fold it to the left. Pin, turn and keep sewing.

    When you reach the end, fold the beginning under by 1 – 2 cm, let the end overlap by 2 – 3 cm and cut it off. Carefully tuck the end into the beginning of the binding and secure it.

    Fold the corners and join the start and end
  7. Step

    Fold the binding over and topstitch

    Turn the placemat over. Fold the binding neatly around the edge, pin it and sew it in place with a straight stitch.

    The binding should lie so that the seam is no longer visible from the back.

    Shape the corners nicely and sew all the way round.

    Fold the binding over and topstitch

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About the author

Sabine

I come from Siegen-Wittgenstein, where I spent my childhood breaking in cows, jumping off haystacks and scraping a D- in needlework class.

Today, being creative feels like indescribable happiness to me – and it grows even more when I can share it with others. Since 2016 I have been celebrating my passion for sewing on this blog, and I love that sewing connects so many people.