Oh how I LOVE a good looking tablescape.

Here’s the thing.

Last year when we sold our house and moved to Pennsylvania, I also sold a ton of furniture.  A lot of them were super cheap pieces that I was sure wouldn’t make another move.  But now we’re in the midst of moving again (hence my limited posts lately) and it has just dawned on me.

I don’t have a dining room table!

However, ever since I built my daughter this wagon for Christmas, I kind of think I’m a wood working genius.  So, I’ve been pinning a lot of possible tables.

But first and foremost, I’m making all the décor for the table.  Because that’s where you’re supposed to start.  Right?!

Décor like these jute placemats.

Placemats that I’ve seen ALL over Pinterest and I knew I just had to have.  But couldn’t fathom spending a lot of money on something that I could easily make.

So, I made them.  Obviously.

Jute Placemats

makes 6 placemats

• 1  yard of brown polyester fabric
• round placemat (linked is a set of 4 but in-store you can buy just one)
• 4 rolls of 4 ply jute
• glue sticks

tools needed: 

• sewing machine
• glue gun

I searched for some jute placemat tutorials on Pinterest, and found one that seemed so simple.  Unfortunately, I’m not a fan of seeing massive amounts of hot glue, and that was all I could see.  So, I went back to the drawing board.  With some thick polyester fabric and a cheap circular placemat I bought for $1 at Wal-Mart.

My idea was to trace the placemat, cut it out, and then glue the jute to the fabric.  However, as you can see above – this fabric frays.  Big time.

So I hemmed the fabric about 1/2 inch.  I knew I was going to be gluing the jute on top, so you wouldn’t see the hem.  I just needed to avoid the fraying.

[And this may be the fat kid in me, but I totally see a pizza crust in the picture above.]

Once the fabric was hemmed. I found the center, and started to glue the jute to the fabric, ensuring to butt the jute up as close as possible so I wouldn’t see any of the glue.

I did this until I completely covered the fabric.  It was a little time consuming – but I think well worth it.

Also, take note that I was doing this on a pizza box.

Ha!

And now I have 6 of the nicest looking placemats.  And no table.

We’re getting there, folks.