How to Sew Placemats

Cut two rectangles of fabric, both about 15 by 20 inches, for each place mat. If you prefer, you can cut the rectangles into ovals or round off the corners, but this will make finishing the edges slightly more challenging.

Cut one piece of fusible interfacing the same size and shape as the place mat. Place the interfacing on the wrong side of one piece of fabric (with the bumpy side toward the fabric), and iron the interfacing to the fabric.

Place the pieces of fabric together with the right sides facing out and the interfacing in the middle. Put a few pins in the center of the place mat to hold the fabric layers in place.

Wrap the bias tape all the way around the edge of the place mat, with the fold of the bias tape covering the edge of the fabric. One layer of the bias tape should be kept on the back of the place mat, and the other layer should be on the front.

Pin the bias tape to the place mat, making sure to catch the front and back of the bias tape in the pins.

Cut off the excess bias tape, leaving about 1/2 inch extra. Tuck the ends of the bias tape under, and press the end flat.

Sew the bias tape to the place mat, close to the inner edge of the bias tape. You may want to use a zigzag stitch to make it easier to catch both sides of the bias tape in the stitching, but this will make the stitches show more.