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How to Make a Patriotic Placemat {Sewing Tutorial}

January 12, 2013 By Spoonful of Sugar - 13 Comments

Australia Day on January 26 is usually celebrated with BBQ’s and picnics. In Perth we have a fabulous skyworks show set over the Swan River. We usually attend the fireworks with a picnic and enjoy all the free entertainment.

We have created a set of placemats in blue, white and red,  perfect for our Australia Day celebrations. They have been made from some off white placemats (we used Marit placemats from Ikea ) that have been hemmed in a scrappy binding. We have re-purposed a jeans pocket from an old pair of jeans, which is the perfect place to store cutlery, a serviette/napkin, and some eucalyptus leaves.

We found some little Aussie toothpicks at the $2 shop, and added them to our pocket.

Materials:

  • placemat in white or off white
  • fabric scraps in red and blue
  • old pair of jeans
  • 3 inch piece of striped ribbon

Method:
1. Cut the two hemmed edges off the placemat (as pictured) and overlock (serge) raw edges. Cut a pocket from the back of the jeans, leaving 1/2 inch around the pocket.

2. Press the raw edge under the pocket. Position the pocket on the right hand side of the placemat and tuck a folded piece of striped ribbon under the right side of the pocket (refer to photo). Stitch the pocket in place using your sewing machine on the sides and bottom of the pocket. Hand stitch the lining of the pocket to the placemat, leaving the opening free to store cutlery etc.

3. Cut the fabric scraps into pieces measuring 2 1/2 inch wide and into a variety of lengths measuring between 4 – 10 inches. Stitch the pieces together using a mitred join, until you have a long strip measuring approx 70 inches. Press the strip in half lengthwise.  Pin around the outside of the placemat, as you would if it were a quilt.

4. Stitch the binding to the placemat, using mitred corners. (If you are not sure how to do this check out tutorials here and here).

Add a serviette and cutlery to the pocket, tied with twine. Add a eucalyptus sprig and a small Aussie flag.

Some of our other projects using recycled denim jeans include:

  • Recycled Denim Wine Tote
  • Sashiko Denim Wine Tote

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Filed Under: Australia Day, Sewing, Sewing Tutorials

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Comments

  1. FabricFascination says

    January 12, 2013 at 6:34 am

    How fun! I didn’t realize that you celebrate a day similar to the 4th of July here in the States.

    Reply
  2. KaHolly says

    January 12, 2013 at 8:13 am

    How much fun is this?!?

    Reply
  3. JoJoand Eloise says

    January 12, 2013 at 9:06 am

    Oh, isn’t this just so FUN and CUTE!!! These would also be great for Birthday parties.. 🙂
    Love it!!
    Angelina

    Reply
  4. Fiona @ Dragonfly-Crafts says

    January 13, 2013 at 1:36 am

    They are JUST gorgeous. We should ALL make some of these and an Apron to go with it 🙂

    Reply
  5. retdairyqueen says

    January 12, 2013 at 3:19 pm

    Great idea and so easy and effective
    Love it

    Reply
  6. Melody says

    January 12, 2013 at 4:43 pm

    You are so clever. What a fabulous idea.

    Reply
  7. Carol............. says

    January 12, 2013 at 5:16 pm

    I love this 3-D look. Wonderful!

    Reply
  8. Anonymous says

    January 12, 2013 at 6:15 pm

    Looks great 🙂 Not saying that you copied it but I’m always amazed how two people come up with the same idea http://www.brigitte.de/wohnen/kreativ-blog-award/bestecktasche-naehen-1143181/

    Reply
  9. Jenny says

    January 13, 2013 at 4:07 am

    gorgeous-love the denim pocket idea

    Reply
  10. A Spoonful Of Sugar says

    January 13, 2013 at 4:21 am

    Dear Anonymous – Thanks for sharing the link to Cutlery Bag with Denim Pocket. It looks lovely – and it is always nice to find another inspiring blog. As it is in German it is not one we are familiar with. We always link to where we get our inspiration, and give credit where it is due.

    You will notice from the links at the end of our post that we have used denim pockets in some of our other projects a few years ago – so nothing new there.

    Reply
  11. Sharon Bailey says

    January 13, 2013 at 9:47 am

    I haven’t tried it yet but will today. Its just darling, love the denim pocket effect. Thanks for sharing. Sharon Bailey Great Falls, Montana

    Reply
  12. Nancy Bandzuch says

    January 13, 2013 at 9:00 pm

    I just found your blog and I love your work with felt. You have so many great projects! I would love you to stop by my blog on Tuesday. I am starting a link up for awesome projects like yours in the hope that more people can discover the projects we’ve all made and love. The link up is especially for older projects that we feel didn’t get enough attention.
    So stop by on Tuesday!
    http://www.dosmallthingswithlove.com
    Nancy

    Reply
  13. Lucia Gonzalez says

    June 25, 2013 at 10:37 pm

    Beautiful and great idea, tks for sharing, excellent for this super celebration!

    Reply

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Sunday's are perfect for scrappy sewing! I have st Sunday's are perfect for scrappy sewing! I have started a new #rainbowconnectionpillow - this one using sweet retro prints in shades of pink, yellow, aqua and green. Each 5 inch foundation paper pieced block uses 45 different fabrics. It will take a while but should use up some of my growing scrap collection. What are you up to this weekend?
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A pair of Zippered House Pouches. 🏠🏠🏠 I h A pair of Zippered House Pouches. 🏠🏠🏠 I have had a number of readers ask about the lace zippers I used in this project. They are 8 inch lace zippers and are readily available on Etsy and eBay - search for Lace Zipper. If you don't have a lace zipper you can use your preferred type of zipper. The beauty of this pouch is you can use your favourite zakka trims and supplies to make a one of a kind pouch. 🍄🍄🍄
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Pattern: Zippered House Pouch PDF Sewing Pattern available in our Etsy store ( link in profile ☝️).
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One of my favourite pillows is this foundation pap One of my favourite pillows is this foundation paper pieced Rainbow Connection Pillow. It features 9 monochromatic blocks and is the perfect project for all your brightly coloured scraps.🌈🌈🌈 #throwbackthursday
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Pattern: Rainbow Connection Pillow ( available in our Etsy store). Link in profile. ☝️ 
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