DIY Thanksgiving Placemats

There’s nothing better than finding the perfect fabric for a project.  Last year we were hosting Thanksgiving at our new house – for the first time – and I knew I wanted beautiful placemats to go with our new wedding china (it was the first time we’d be using it and I was pretty excited!).  I searched for a while to find that perfect autumnal fabric that was elegant but also warm and found just the thing at a local quilt store.  I used an existing placemat for dimensions and quickly put together these DIY Thanksgiving placemats!  One year later and I am still in love with them!

Supplies Needed for one placemat:

• Center front fabric.  1 piece cut to 10″ x 15.5″
• Border Fabric.  2 pieces cut to 2.75″ x 19″ and 2 pieces cut to 2.75″ x 13.5″
• Backing Fabric.  1 piece cut to 13.5″ x 19″
• Thin Batting.  (could be fusible batting, fleece, flannel) 1 piece cut to 13.5″ x 19″
• Matching thread
  

** 1/2″ seam allowance is included on all pieces.  The finished placemat measures 18″ x 12.5″

STEPS

1. Sew your border pieces to the center front piece using a 1/2″ seam allowance with right sides together.  Sew the long border pieces on first.  I chose to miter the corners of my border, this is optional.
2. Sew or iron the batting to the wrong side of the fabric backing piece.  If sewing, stitch close to the edge so the stitch line will be kept in the seam allowance.
3. Stitch the front of the placemat to the back of the placemat, with right sides together, using a 1/2″ seam allowance.  Leave a small opening on the bottom side so you can flip the placemat inside out.
4. Flip the placemat inside out
5. Hand sew the opening closed.

These were fairly fast to make once I had an assembly line system going.  I bought Christmas fabric a few years ago to make Christmas placemats.  Hopefully I get around to making those soon!  They have been sitting in my project to-do bin for quite awhile!

Here are a couple more pictures of the table setting and the centerpiece.  The hurricane candle and small votive holders are from Yankee Candle.

I hope everyone is staying warm!