Free Tutorial - Summer Placemats and Flatware Pouches

At my house, we're all decked out for summertime!

Wouldn't it be fun to jazz up your own table

with fresh new place settings?
Today I'm sharing a free tutorial,
for placemats and matching flatware pouches!

For these samples, I used a few summery coordinates

from Terry's Fabrics.

I got things started with a favorite print:

Beach Huts in Blue,

with red and blue cabanas on a creamy background.

Next I chose a solid fabric,

Panama Curtain Fabric in Linen.

The taupe tones reminded me of rich sandy beaches.

And now for a little zing...

I selected a fun stripe called Chips, in Ocean.

To make a set of 6 placemats and 6 flatware pouches,

I used about one yard each of the Beach Huts and Linen,

plus 1/2 yard of the striped fabric.

You can cut pieces for 3 placemats,
cutting across the 54" width of home dec or curtain weight fabrics.

Let's get started making the reversible placemats.

I created pieced sections for the front sides.

For each placemat:

cut a section of the beach huts fabric,

measuring 6" high x 17 1/2" wide,

to be used as the center strip.

Add the bottom strip in linen,

cut to 3 1/2" high x 17 1/2" wide.

Add the top strip, also in linen,

cut to 5 1/2" high x 17 1/2" wide.

Here's the placemat front, all stitched and pressed.

Trim the finished front to 13 1/2" high x 17 1/2" wide.

{Keep in mind, you can use a single piece of fabric

or make a patchwork in any pattern. Design opportunities are endless.}

For each placemat cut a backing piece,

measuring 13 1/2" x 17 1/2" wide.

Pin the front and back pieces with right sides together.

Starting on the upper edge, about 2" from a corner,

stitch around all 4 sides with a generous 1/4" seam,

leaving about 2 -3 " open for turning.

Here's a tip I always use

whenever I leave an opening for turning.

I backstitch a tiny (1/4") seam

that goes from the opening to the edge of the fabric, 

as shown in the photo below.

This strengthens the opening

and also makes it easy to turn under the edge

during the pressing step.

Turn the placemat right sides out through the opening.

Use a turning tool to smooth out the side seams

and gently push out the corners.

Give it a good press,

then topstitch near all the edges.
Repeat to create a set of four...or six...
or however many you need.

Admire your gorgeous finished placemats!

And they're reversible!

Now let's make those fun flatware pouches.

For each pouch:

cut (1) outer fabric 6" x 15"

and (1) lining fabric 6" x 15".

Pin outer fabric and lining right sides together,

and stitch with a generous 1/4" seam,

just as you did for the placemats,

leaving a 2" opening on one long edge for turning.

Turn the pouch right sides out through the opening.

Use a turning tool to smooth the seams

and gently push out the corners.

Press well.

Place the pouch with the lining side up,

and fold the bottom edge up to make a 5" pocket.

Press well.

Begin stitching at the bottom fold,

and topstitch along one long edge,

across the top,

and along the other long edge.

Reinforce the stitching along the top edges

of the pocket,

since these are stress points.

These are super quick to make,
and you'll have your set finished in no time.
Look how sweet the flatware pouches look,

filled with silverware and a napkin.

They really dress up those pretty placemats,

don't you think?

These would make wonderful gifts

for Mother's Day, birthdays, wedding showers...

I made some more, to match my Cherry Kitchen decor!
They're just as much fun to use indoors.

{Also, I have a fabulous red gingham picnic tablecloth for my outdoor table.}

I feel more of these coming on...
perhaps with some ric rac trim,
or button-down flaps.

For now, I'm going to have fun using this set all summer long!

This set looks really sharp with the Beach Huts pillows
I had created last summer!

If you create your own placemats or flatware pouches,

I hope you'll let us know how yours turn out!
Feel free to leave a link in the comments,
or add them to my Flickr group here.

Enjoy!

Needle Book Swap - Received!

The time has come to wrap up our

Need a Little Needle Book Swap...

and I can't think of a better way than to share

the one I received from Gabrielle!

As you can see,

the needle book Gabrielle made for me

is just filled with personal touches,
beginning with my NAME on the front!

{Those hexies are so tiny and sweet!}

There are more little hexies
decorating the back cover of the needle book.

{I think that every needle book in our swap has been just as gorgeous
on the back as the front...don't you?}

Inside are thick felted wool pages for needles...

you can almost feel the substantial texture

from this photo.

This particular needle book includes

a very smart vinyl pocket inside,

with a fabulous zipper closure.

{How did she know I adore office supplies?!?!?!?}

When I first saw the labels on the felt pages,
I couldn't figure out how
Gabriella was able to add the words,
describing how they were to be used.

I mean, I've spent quite a few minutes  hours
shopping on the internet,
and I've NEVER seen any twill tape,
printed with names like these!

I remembered that Gabrielle
had contacted me to find out
what types of handsewing I enjoy,
and what needles I like to use.

It dawned on me that she MUST have
printed these tapes herself somehow!

Sure enough, Gabrielle shared with me how she did it,
using a printer, some twill tape,
and a bit of scotch tape.

Someday I promise to try it myself
and explain to you how it's done!

{Ric  rac! I see ric rac!}

Besides the fabulous needle book,
Gabrielle created this beautiful boxed pouch,
in my favorite colors!

Gabrielle's workmanship is exquisite!
I would love to see what her long-arm quilts
look like, as I'm sure these little projects
are a glimpse of what she can accomplish.

There were more goodies, too...
a lovely journal,
some fun washi tape and a package of twine.
I am such a spoiled brat!

Have you ever tried these wonderful needles
from Foxglove Cottage?
They have something for every type of handsewing,
and Gabrielle included a couple of packages
in my swap gift!

{Perfect!}

I don't even know how exactly Gabrielle and I found one another...
but that's the most fun part about the internet...
and swaps!
THANK YOU, GABRIELLE!

Thanks to ALL of you who participated
in the Needle Book Swap
and made it a great success!
You girls are the best!