placemats

[lendube]

I did a rolled hem serged finish for a set plus runner for my dd. Pretty sure that's what it was. Very small and close. Looked like a satin edge. Turned out very well for a first time stab at it.

[sewingmom]

Lennie, Did you use wooly nylon thread in the loopers or just regular serger thread??? I am trying to get the serger set and trying different color threads. Red wont work and I don't have enough wooley nylon to use of any color. (No local sources either)

Dorothy, I think black and silver ought to be elegant. Don't you?

[lendube]

No wooley nylon. Just regular thread, black. The placemats were green ivy print with black, same on both sides with thin cotton batting in between, no quilting.

[esrun3]

I usually do them envelope or pillow case style(same difference to my way of thinking). Or I serge the edges altho I like the more finished look of turning them inside out and top stitching.

[Upholsteress]

This was awhile back but -- where's the pics? I've made placemats before with heavy uph fabric on each side and a lace ruffle on the outside edge (envelope style) . that way they were reversible. Might do something like that for the swap this year..

right now I am researching some fun patterns for thanksgiving /fall placemats.

[HeyJudee]

Well, I never commented on this thread before but your post asking for pics was just perfect timing on your part. I pulled these out yesterday as will be giving them to the charity group at our guild next week. They are collecting placemats for the Meals on Wheels and the mats will be given out when they deliver the Thanksgiving dinners.

These were leftovers (never used) from a couple of years ago when I made placemats for my cousin and gave her 6 for Xmas. I really made 8 but the first two I kept cause they were the ones I was testing how I would quilt them. The placemat is reversible and I made them by sewing around the outside and turning them like an envelope. Then I topstitched around the outside. Here are pics of one of the two leftovers. The quilting was a little too much to finish all mats and get them ready to wrap and give Xmas night. I started quilting them on Xmas Eve and was still working on them Xmas Day. I used drapery material that was 100% cotton (prewashed them). Got the fabric for the front at a recreation centre flea market sale ($2.00) and the backing was in the sale section at Fabricville for $2.00/meter. It was 60" wide. The green in the wine bottle fabric matched my cousin's kitchen and they usually serve wine when they entertain so it was appropriate for them. All in all it was a very inexpensive gift and she loved them.
Front

Back

[sewingmom]

Judy, that is a very pretty placemat. Well done!!!
Here's a link to mine, They are not the calbier of Judy's so you don't see any closeups.
viewtopic.php?f=38&t=2465&p=37843&hilit=tablecloth#p37843

[HeyJudee]

They are not the calbier of Judy's so you don't see any closeups.

Whow there...yours are great! I Iove the fabric. And doing a huge table cloth like that....fantastic!

[kjh9835]

This isn't about actually making placemats but another use for them. I haven't made any placemats in quite awhile as I now use tablecloths instead but I do like the quilted holiday placemats at places like Kohls and Gordman's. They can be bought on sale usually 60% off the week before the holiday or up to 80% off after the holiday if you are in the right place at the right time. I buy them for about $2 each, find a solid cotton to match at the fabric store and some nylon webbing. Cover the webbing, stitch handles on the placemats, sew together and viola....you have a holiday totebag for about $5. They make great gifts for teachers, daycare workers, Sunday school leaders, gift exchange at work, etc. I have also stitched them together and stuffed them for throw pillows.

I have about 2 dozen in stash right now for the upcoming holidays.

Kathy

[Upholsteress]

Oh those are nice!!! I see what you mean now about the quilting! That would take way more time. I had seen some pretty $1 placemats uptown and probably should just get them and save my sewing time for gifts... of course.. one can take store bought and embellish with lace or cording and have a neat gift too... hmm...

Love the wine theme!