Monday, April 11, 2011

Spring Week: Stenciled Placemats




I wanted to add a little spring to the dinner table, and have been really wanting to give the freezer paper a try, so I made some new placemats. If you haven't given freezer paper a chance it is definitely time! This is a really easy, kid friendly project, that brings great results.

I went through my fabric stash and found this great linen material and cut it in 6 different pieces. Mine ended up being 9.5" by 12". I also cut my little girl a piece out of different fabric so that we could make them together and she could have one that she made.

When cutting your freezer paper design, don't forget that you are using it as a stencil not a pattern. As sewers we are trained to think of patterns.


I like to use my regular paints and just add a fabric paint medium. I found this idea when looking up details on fabric painting.

Iron on your stencil and paint the exposed fabric. With my flowers, I used a sponge and made the paint un-even to give it the older look and feel.


This is such a great activity for kids!


We added a little washable glitter to my daughter's placemat. Anything glittery and pink is her favorite thing.

After painting, iron, wash and dry your fabric.

I put a piece of light vinyl plastic on top of my little girl's placemat, so that it will be easy to wipe off.


There are so many different binding techniques you can use for this project. (I don't know a lot about binding, and feel pretty inadequate in this area.) I could have added a back piece of fabric and gone for the pillow case look but I wanted a secondary color on the placemats. There are oodles of options for finishing these up. I went with this one.


These placemats definitely help make a darling dinner setting. I can't wait to put them on the patio table and eat outside. One of my favorite childhood memories is of eating dinner outside, during Spring. Until it is warm enough, inside works just great.


Happy spring to everyone!

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Cute placemats - my daughter would love doing something like this! Thanks for the idea!

Andrea
www.addicted2tutes.blogspot.com

glamourpuss said...

I really like these too!!

ShannonSews said...

What a cute idea! I love your placemats. I really like your idea of giving the paint a worn look and the polka dots on the side. Looks fabulous!

Ashley said...

totally love these! !! so cute

Hannah Jacklyn said...

great idea, and thanks for the tutorial!

I am going to be stenciling some curtains soon with paint- do you think the fabric medium is necessary? They won't need to be washed regularly and don't need to be particularly soft to the touch, I was just planning to use some regular paint I have on hand.

Jennifer said...

Hannah, great question. I would definitely recommend using the medium if you are ever going to wash them. Also, it helps the paint stick to the fabric thicker so much better. It is super cheap and at any place that carries paint. Stenciled curtain, sounds cute!

April said...

These are really beautiful! And just such a great idea because you can do this easily for different seasons and holidays. I would love for you to come link up to my Sew Crafty Party !

Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

Hi I really love this idea, but I'm not quite sure I follow your explanation of the freezer paper. After you cut it into a stencil, do you iron it on to your fabric? And it peels off afterwards?

Thanks for the help, would love to try these!

Stephanie Lynn @Under the Table and Dreaming said...

These are super cute! What a great idea to get the kiddies involved! I have featured these today. Thanks so much for stopping by and linking up to the Sunday Showcase - I greatly appreciate it. Hope you have a wonderful holiday! ~ Stephanie Lynn

Marilyn said...

Hello there.. I found you at Jill's "Women Who Do It All". Stopping by to enjoy more of your posts.. *Officially Following you*.. Amazing blog. :)) Hope you can stop by sometime.. ~Marilyn

Unknown said...

So pretty and cute! Thanks for sharing!

Stacey - Elle Belle said...

Cute and the sparkles are perfect!