I always try for the trifecta when it comes to projects: fast, easy and inexpensive. Well…one out of three will have to do this time around. This one is pretty easy, but it takes time, and the beads for four placemats can add up, so make sure you have your coupons!
*edited to add* Beads are far less expensive at the Dollar Store than Michael’s
What you’ll need for two placemats:
- A minimum of 3 large bags of beads in the color of your choice. Varying shades are best.
- About 1/2 yard of felt fabric in the color of your choice
- A sheet of paper about 20″x 20″
- Scissors
- See through ruler or carpenter’s square
- Glue gun and lots of hot glue
Our table at the cabin is a small, 42″ round, and I really don’t like the way standard placemats fit. They seem to overlap each other a bit, and since I’m not thrilled with the selection of placemats available for round tables, I decided to make my own.
I spent the better part of an afternoon trying to find a tutorial on this. I came across one, and after following the directions, this is the shape of the template I ended up with. Oh, and that curve on the bottom is something I did freehand and wasn’t exactly perfect. The instructions were for a straight bottom. Weird, right?
So I tried another tutorial and basically ended up with a trapezoid shape. Still, not what I wanted. Believe it or not, I couldn’t find any info on how to get the bottom part rounded, which is, in my not so humble opinion, the most important part! In a rare stroke of genius, this is what I did. I simply took the paper and laid it on the table and traced from one end to the other along the curve of the table.
The hardest part of this project is figuring out how large you want your placemats to be. For an average table, say, around 42″-55″ round, do the following:
- Draw a rectangle that is 17″ in width at top and bottom, and 16″ high at both sides.
- Extend the bottom edge of the rectangle 1 1/2″ on each side.
- Draw a line from each extension to the top to form your trapezoid.
- Cut it out along the outside lines and you now have your template.
- Cut the felt using the template and get to work gluing your beads on.*
*To save time, don’t even THINK about gluing each individual bead! Just run a line of hot glue around 3 inches long and randomly place beads, and continue. This way is much faster and safer on your fingers.
I started out thinking I was going to do four placemats. I cut the felt out, but I kept running out of beads so I figured I would just do two for now. I will definitely do the other two, but I’ll wait until I have all the beads I need at one time.
Another option would be to just do a large round centerpiece in a beaded mat. That would look nice, don’t you think?
If you actually want to sew a fabric placemat, follow the link above but don’t forget to make the curve yourself.
Partying At
Kathy Moody says
Wow, you are so creative! I love these placemats and they look awesome!! They look beautiful on your table. I love your trifecta approach! That is a perfect way to put it. : )
Thank you so much for sharing at A Bouquet of Talent. You know I always love seeing your awesome projects. I just followed you on Bloglovin’, too! Have a wonderful weekend!!
XOXO
Kathy
The Honeys says
Thank you so much Kathy! I love your party, and apparently many others do too because it’s becoming so popular :). Well deserved, I must say!! (((hugs)))
garden girl says
This is a great idea! More original then anything you would buy at the store.
Here is my latest post:
http://www.mrsgardengirl.blogspot.com/2013/03/hooked-on-crochetno-pun-intended.html
Diana Rambles says
Great tutorial! SO pretty! I’d like to invite you to participate in my Pin Me Linky Party. It goes Fri-Tue. I allow up to 3 links each week! I’m a new follower!
Doreen@househoneys says
Thank you Diana! I just followed you on FB so I will get your updates when your party goes live on Friday and I will be sure to chime in :). Thanks for stopping by!
Alycia Nichols says
You possess an incredible amount of patience!!!! The end result is terrific, so your patience paid off! I like the idea of doing this as a centerpiece mat, too. That would be really great for a sea or spa-inspired table!
Doreen@househoneys says
Thank you Alycia, and yes, it does take some patience for this! lol. It helps to just park yourself in front of the TV and do it while watching your fav show. Of course, I don’t have a TV in my craft room…
Mid-Atlantic Martha says
How pretty these are! Thanks for sharing with us.
Phyllis says
Great idea! Thanks! I have a long narrow table. With place-mats on the table, I have a narrow space for my centerpiece. I’m going to make this to fit the area in the center of the table! Problem solved!
The Honeys says
Hi Phyllis! Do yourself a big favor and don’t get the beads at Michaels. Just this weekend I was at Dollar Tree and saw some bags for, you guessed it, a dollar! Also, if you want something a little more organic looking (kinda wish I had done this), try river rocks, also available at dollar stores.
Jacquelene L. says
This will be great for our round wooden outdoor patio table. I have oodles of those glass vase beads, found them in craft drawers lately and wondered what to do with them. Now I know . These placemats will be very cool on our table on our balcony. Thankyou for sharing.
Jacquelene L.
Canada
The Honeys says
Thank you Jacquelene! I would love to see it when you’re done. So glad you stopped by!