DIY Burlap Placemats are so easy to make and will add the perfect touch of rustic charm to your table setting. Learn how to make placemats with this easy step by step tutorial.
DIY Burlap Placemats
You are going to love this EASY DIY project that you can throw together for Thanksgiving or your next dinner party. You do not have to spend a bunch of money or time for beautiful home decor.
If you like this easy project, try over 20 easy DIY Farmhouse decor ideas that will look great in your home.
How to Make Placemats
These beautiful burlap place mats are simple to make but look stunning on your table. Whether you are having family dinner or your big Thanksgiving feast, these easy to make burlap placemats will set the tone.
I chose to stamp my placemats with phrases I wanted my famiy to reflect on this fall season. However, you can embellish the DIY Placemats with anything you like.
Some ideas include personalization for each guest, your family name, a monogram on each, or just stamp a pretty pattern. Keep it simple with black paint or use a variety of colors to brighten up the table. The possibilities are endless.
Supplies Needed:
- Burlap fabric by the yard. We purchased on Amazon but you can also get this at your local craft stores.
- Foam stamps. There are so many options of stamps to choose from.
- Acrylic paint
- Small brush
- Sewing machine and thread
- Iron and water bottle
How to make Burlap Placemats easily:
- Step 1. Cut the piece of burlap. Cut 12”x18” rectangles from medium weight burlap for a standard size placemat. I learned a tip from the lady at the local craft store. Pull a string completely out of the burlap right at the measurement line.
This creates a small but obvious gap in the piece of fabric for you to cut along with scissors. It makes cutting a straight line much easier.
- Step 2. Sew the seam. Fold ¼” seam around the edges of your burlap and sew. Then pull off the threads on the outside of the seam to fray slightly. The stitches will keep it from unraveling any further.
- Step 3. Choose a stamp for top of the placemats. Thick foam stamps are best for stamping on natural fibers. Lay paper behind your placemat on the right side to protect the surface as it will run through the backside.
- Step 4. Use paint to enhance the stamp print. Use a paintbrush to coat stamp with an even, solid coat of paint. Press firmly into burlap and remove by lifting straight up.
- Step 5. Allow to dry. Let the paint dry for at least 2 hours.
- Step 6. Mist with water and iron placemats. Flip placemats over and spray lightly with water. Iron each placemat. Use the steam setting to press out all wrinkles and creases in the top of the corners and edge of the placemat.
The heat will also help set your paint.
I love the rustic quality. In no time you can have adorable and rustic placemats for your fall decor. We made these super cute burlap placemats with very few items and with very little effort using this sewing pattern. In fact, the kids even helped.
How to clean Fall Placemats:
To clean your placemats, pat gently with a damp sponge and air dry.
Variations to try:
- Table runner. You can make a table runner for any occasion with this sewing project. Simply, cut the fabric according to how many yards of fabric you need for your size table.
- Fabric for placemats. We used burlap but you can use any type of fabric you prefer.
- Reversible Placemats. Make a different design or stamp on each side of the easy sew burlap placemats. You can flip them to the back side for a completely different placemat converted from an existing placemat.
- Stencil. You can also use a stencil instead of a stamp to add a personal touch.
Print the instructions on how to make Burlap Placemats:
How to Make Burlap Placemats
Equipment
- burlap fabric by the yard you can even buy it on Amazon now
- foam stamps
- acrylic paint and small brush
- sewing machine and thread
- iron and water bottle
Instructions
- Cut 12”x18” rectangles from burlap – a little trick I learned from the lady at the cutting counter is to pull a string completely out of burlap right at the measurement line. This creates a small but obvious gap for you to cut along and makes cutting a straight line much easier.
- Sew a ¼” seam around each placemat, then pull off the threads on the outside of the seam to fray slightly- the seam will keep it from unraveling any further.
- Thick foam stamps are best for stamping on burlap. Lay paper behind your placemat to protect surface as it will run through.
- Use a paintbrush to coat stamp with and even, solid coat of paint, press firmly into burlap and remove by lifting straight up.
- Allow paint to dry for at least 2 hours.
- Flip placemats over and spray lightly with water and iron using steam setting to press out all wrinkles and creases – the heat will also help set your paint.
