Learn how to sew a reversible placemat. As part of the Learn to Sew series this beginner reversible placemat sewing project is one you’re sure to come back to time and again.

I can’t tell you how many placemats I have made through the years. In fact, this past Christmas I made Christmas themed placemats for our granddaughters. They were adorable with some foundation paper pieced Santas and their names appliqued on the placemats.

But, my favorite placemats are quite honestly the simplest and easiest to make. Plus, they are so versatile in that they are reversible. You could make one side spring and one side winter inspired.

I’ve even sewn reversible placemats that were made out of burlap and linen.

Sew a Reversible Placemat

Before we get into this easy sewing tutorial, let’s answer a few questions you might have about sewing a reversible placemat.

Video Tutorial

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FAQs

How much fabric is needed?

How much fabric you need really depends on the finished size of your placemats. But, you can estimate that you’ll need 2 yards of fabric for a set of four reversible placemats.

If you are using different fabric on each side, you’ll need 1 yard of each fabric, for a total of 2 yards.

What size placemat should I make?

There really isn’t a standard size for placemats. If you perform a search for “placemats”, you’ll see that just about every one is a different size. I recommend the following sizes:

11″x14″
12″x16″
12″x18″
14″x18″

But you can make your placemats whatever size suits your needs best.

What type of interfacing or batting should I use?

I recommend using Pellon Fusible Fleece 987F. You don’t want a lot of loft in your placemats, just enough interfacing to provide some structure to your placemats. If you want your placemats to be truly heat resistant, you can even use Pellon Insul-Fleece 975BX or something similar.

How much interfacing will I need?

You will be applying the interfacing to only one side of the placemat fabric, so you should be able to cut 4 placemats out of 1 yard of interfacing. Just be sure to do the math first to determine how much interfacing you will need.

What types of fabrics can I use for my placemats?

I recommend using cotton blends for the best results. You can also use cotton, linen, and even burlap. Just be sure to pre-wash your fabrics first.

Do I need to pre-wash the fabric?

I highly recommend you pre-wash the fabric first. Pre-washing will address any shrinkage issues, color bleeding, and remove any chemicals in the fabric.

You can place the fabric in a garment bag (which will help with the fraying) or simply toss the fabric in the washer. Then dry the fabric according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Once the fabric is dry, you’ll want to iron the fabric with a steam iron or spray starch.

Learn to Sew: Reversible Placemats

Equipment Needed

To sew a reversible placemat, you will need:

✂️ sewing machine
✂️ sewing machine needle
✂️ scissors
✂️ seam gauge (metal ruler)
✂️ wonder clips (or pins)
✂️ rotary cutter
✂️ acrylic ruler
✂️ self-healing mat
✂️ bobbin
✂️ iron and ironing board
✂️ damp pressing cloth

Supplies Needed

Below is a list of the supplies needed. For the exact amounts, please refer to the below how-to card.

✂️ cotton fabric
✂️ fusible fleece
✂️ matching thread

4 placemats

Sew a Reversible Placemat

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Active Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Difficulty: Beginner

Learn how to sew reversible placemats in this beginner friendly sewing tutorial. For the purpose of this tutorial, we will make placemats that are 14"x18" finished size. You can make your placemats any size, such as 11"x14" or 13"x18".

Materials

1 placemat = 1/2 yard fabric or 2 fat quarters
1 placemat = 1/2 yard fusible fleece
4 placemats = 2 yards of fabric
4 placemats = 1 yard fusible fleece
matching thread
spray starch, optional

Tools

scissors
iron & ironing board
rotary cutter
cutting mat
acrylic ruler
pins or Wonder clips
sewing machine

Instructions

Prewash, dry, and iron your fabric. For the best results, use your steam iron to press out all the wrinkles or you can use spray starch.
With your fabric washed and pressed, fold it in half wrong sides together so the selvage edges are together.
We are going to use 1/2" seam allowances and since we want our finished placemats to measure 14"x18", we will cut out the fabric 15"x19". Cut two pieces of fabric for each placemat. If you are making your placemats reversible with different fabric on each side, cut out one 15"x19" from each piece of fabric.
Cut one piece of fusible fleece or interfacing of your choice for each placemat at 14"x18". If you are making four placemats, cut out four pieces of fusible fleece (one for each placemat). The fleece is cut smaller than the placemat to reduce bulk at the seams.
Take one piece of the cut fabric for the top of the placemat and place it face down on your ironing board. Center the fusible fleece (bumpy side down) onto the fabric. Place a pressing cloth over top of the fleece and fuse the interfacing to the fabric following the manufacturer's instructions.
Repeat with the other placemats if you are making more than one.
Place the fused fabric right side up. Place the placemat backing fabric face down on top.
Line up the edges and pin or clip around the perimeter of the placemat. We are going to leave a 3" opening along one of the sides for turning the placemat. Be sure to mark the area where you are NOT going to sew.
Take your pinned placemat to your sewing machine. With your matching thread already threaded and your wound bobbin in place, turn on your machine. Raise the presser foot and make sure the needle is in the up position.
Slide your placemat under the presser foot and line up the raw edges with the 1/2" seam guide on your sewing machine. You are going to start stitching at the bottom of the 3" opening that you marked in step 8. Make a couple of stitches forward and then a couple of stitches backward to reinforce the beginning and ending stitches. Continue sewing around the perimeter of the placemat.
When you reach a corner, stop sewing with the needle in the down position 1/2" from the edge of the fabric. Raise the presser foot and rotate the fabric counter-clockwise. Line up the raw edge of the fabric with the 1/2" seam guide on the needle plate. Continue sewing until you reach the next corner and repeat.
Continue sewing around the placemat until you reach the beginning of the 3" opening that you marked in step 8. Backstitch to secure your stitches. Remove the placemat from the sewing machine. Trim your threads.
Clip each corner across the tip to help reduce bulk.
Turn the placemat right side out through the opening. Use a bone folder or another tool to help push out the corners of the placemat.
Return the placemat to the ironing board and press the seams nice and flat.
Using a 3.0mm stitch length, stitch 1/8" from the edge of the placemat, closing the opening as you stitch. Stitch around the entire perimeter of the placemat. You can make a second row of stitching if you like about 1/2" from the edge of the placemat.
Repeat with the other placemats.

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Sew a Reversible Placemat