If you're like me, you hang on to fabric scraps. I came across this great project that takes your scrap fabrics and turns them into place mats and napkin rings for your dining room table. If you don't have any scraps to get rid of, you can go to your local JoAnns or WalMart to get fabric for this project.
The place mats are constructed like a quilt, with three layers. Cut two 13x20 (or any custom size you want) pieces of fabric. Place them together, wrong sides facing, with a same-size sheet of fusible batting in between. Press the 3 layers with an iron, then stitch the mat with wavy lines. (If you want to get creative, you can stitch flowers or any other pattern to make your mats even more special) Bind the mat with strips of contrasting fabric or ribbon. Fold the strips in half, press the edges under, and then sew onto the raw edges of the mat. For a silverware pocket, press under the edges of a fabric square, stitch across the top, and then sew the other three sides to the mat. Voila!

To make coordinating napkin rings, cut two 4x2.5" fabric strips. Fold and press all edges under 1/4 inch. Place the pieces together, wrong sides facing, and sandwich a same-size sheet of fusible web between them. To personalize, insert the ring of a metal tag under the web along one edge, press with a hot iron. Glue rickrack to the back of the strip. To form a ring, tie the strip around the napkin with ribbon.To add extra flair to your placemats or napkin rings sew buttons and ribbon on to form flowers. Another way to personalize your napkin rings, instead of the metal tags, is to simply embroider the name of the person onto the fabric. You can use the same process of the place mats to make a table runner as well. These are such great projects for summer parties and barbeques. Whichever project you take on, remember to be creative and have fun!


Happy Friday! DIY Jill