Bilingual Table Toppers January 22, 2011 – Posted in: Applique, Decorating, SYTYC, Tutorials

Several of you expressed interest in a tutorial for the placemats I made. This was a rushed, last-minute project for me, so this is the best I can do!

First, I used an existing placemat to determine the size I wanted to use. I cut 2 pieces of each fabric to that size, as well as 2 pieces of flannel, per placemat. Using Elmer’s spray adhesive, I glued the flannel to the wrong side of each placemat piece.

To make all my pieces, I found a fork and spoon image I liked by searching Google images. I made up the knife piece (and kicked myself when I realized I had it backwards. But being under a time constraint, I dealt with my backwards knife). I traced one of our large glasses (that we don’t normally use at dinner) and a plate that’s a size smaller than our regular dinner plates (that I used to set the table). I got out one of our regular napkins, folded it in half, and traced it.

Then I made 8 sets of everything, so I had a complete table setting for each side of my placemat. I traced it all onto the paper side of Heat n Bond LITE.

Once I got it all traced, I ironed the HnB onto the wrong side of the fabric I was using for them. Napkins went on polka dots, everything else on black. Then I cut out all my pieces.

I laid all my pieces out on the placemat until I got an approximate placement for them. I removed everything but the napkin piece, took the paper backing off, and ironed it down onto the right side of the placemat piece. I then appliqued around the edge (for tips on how I applique, visit my applique tutorial).

Then I laid out the rest of my pieces, ironed them down, and appliqued them.

Repeat on both sides for each placemat.

Once all the pieces were appliqued, I placed wrong sides together, and sewed around the perimeter of the placemat, close to the edge. I made bias tape (not on the bias) and sewed it around the edges to finish them off.

Then I wrote my piece names with a fabric marker and voila! I was done!