I completed this project last week in a rush. After making the napkin rings I decided that I wanted my table to be special this year so I needed to up my game.
I used to have some lovely round silver beaded placements but after Christmas last year they were resigned as they were looking pretty sad.
So that left me with a problem – no Christmas placements.
I could, of course, gone and bought some but, where’s the fun in that!
So, I whipped up these.
While it could be too late for you to make them this year, you can Pin this post so you’ll be ready for next year. Alternatively, if you’re not ‘all Christmassed out’ in January, you could make them then to get a good head start on next year.
OK, let’s take a look at what you need to make four of these.
Trim the selvedge of all fabrics.
Cut the red fabric into four rectangles 86x31cm as per the diagram below:
Conversion:
86cm = 33.86”
31cm =12.20”
Note: These diagrams show how to cut the pieces from the fabric to in the most economical way. If you choose to cut your pieces out using a different layout they may not all fit.
With right sides together, fold each rectangle in half so that they are now 43x31cm.
Stitch down each of the long sides. Trim off the corners across close to the stitching. Turn it the right way out and ensure the corners are well pushed out to nice sharp points.
Press the seams over to one side, ensure that there isn’t a little ‘pleat’ where the seam is. You may have to press from the inside, then the outside to achieve this.
Cut the batting to the correct size as per the diagram below:
Conversion:
28cm = 11.02”
40cm = 15.75”
Place one piece of batting inside each of the red rectangles.
Fold over 1.5cm hem on the open side and pin.
Topstitch around the entire placement close to the edge, removing the pins as you go. I used an edge stitch to do this. To turn the corners, place the needle down into the fabric, lift the foot and move the work around until it’s at right angles to the previous stitching.
Cut the cotton duck to the correct size as per the diagram below:
Conversion:
30cm = 11.81”
20cm = 7.87”
Lay one of the rectangles on top of each of the padded placements. To ensure that you get them in the correct place, measure 3cm from the top and sides and place a pin there at right angles as shown in the picture. This gives you a reference point. Pin the cotton duck rectangle onto the placemat.
Stitch about a sewing machine foot from the edge around all sides. I actually stitched mine again close to the edge, but you really don’t need to as it will be covered by the ribbon. I was just making sure it wouldn’t fray.
Starting in the top right hand corner, pin the ribbon over the row of stitching you have just completed. The stitching should be in about the middle of the ribbon.
To mitre the corners, fold the ribbon back on itself and place a pin at a 45 degree angle as shown in the photo below.
Next, fold the ribbon down over the pin so that it sits at right angles to the first piece of ribbon. Repeat for two more corners. You don’t need to mitre the last corner as it will be covered by the bow.
When you get to the end, simply stitch the end over the previous end and trim.
Stitch first around the outer edge of the ribbon leaving the mitre pins in place. Then stitch again close to the inner edge.
Cut a piece of ribbon approximately 50cm (20”) long to make each bow.
Centre the ribbon for the bow over the cut ends of the hessian ribbon on the diagonal.
Note: In the picture below I mitred the corner - that was before I realised that I didn't need to because it would be hidden by the bow.
To stitch on the ribbon, make a few pleats in it so that it’s not quite so wide. Stitch.
Tie a bow in the ribbon and trim the ends on an angle.
That’s the last of my Christmas craft projects. I hope you enjoyed it. I certainly had fun making them.
Please leave me a comment below. Pin and share with your friends.
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December 22, 2020
Hi, my name is Carol Karl. I live in little old New Zealand. My family and I strive to live the most ‘real’ life we can – by that I mean that we eat real food, we live real lives and just generally be our most authentic selves.
