(Project, styling and photography: Geneva Vanderzeil)
This season is all about gathering and entertaining, making it the perfect time to refresh your table. These simple-to-sew ruffled placemats can be easily personalised and instantly elevate your tablescape. Creative projects editor Geneva shows us a step-by-step guide so you can spruce up your table for your next get-together.
Watch Geneva make a ruffled placemat
How to make a ruffled placemat
Gather your supplies
- Fabric of your choosing
- Matching thread
You’ll also need
- Sewing machine
- Fabric scissors
- Pins or fabric clips
- Seam ripper
- Ruler
- Fabric marker
Safety Notes
When using a sewing machine, keep your fingers a safe distance from the needle and take your time with small details. Always turn off power to the machine before adjusting the stitch length or removing fabric from under the foot. Keep pins and needles in a container or a pincushion so they don’t get lost.
Step 1
Cut out two rectangles measuring 36.5cm x 48cm (or size of your choice). These will form the front and back of your placemat.
Step 2
For the frill, measure the outer edge of your placemat rectangle.
Step 3
Cut a strip of fabric twice that measurement in length and about 9cm wide. If your fabric isn’t long enough you can do the ruffle in sections and sew it together.
Step 4
Hem one long edge of the fabric for the ruffle.
Step 5
Switch your sewing machine to a long stitch length and sew two parallel rows of stitching along the other long edge of the strip.
Step 6
Tie the bobbin threads together at one end. Gently pull the top threads to gather the fabric. As you gather, check the length against your placemat to ensure it fits neatly around the edge.
Step 7
Pin the gathered ruffle onto the right side of one rectangle, aligning the raw edges. The folded edge of the ruffle should face inward, sitting inside the placemat shape.
Step 8
Change the stitch length back to normal on your sewing machine, then sew around the edge to secure the ruffle to the placemat.
Step 9
Place the second rectangle right-side down on top of the first piece, so that the ruffle is in between. Pin or clip around all edges, ensuring everything is neatly aligned.
Step 10
Sew around the edges again, this time with the seam slightly inside your previous stitch line. Leave a small opening to turn the placemat right-side out. Make sure that the ruffle stays tucked inside and doesn’t get caught in the stitching.
Step 11
Gently pull the placemat through the opening so it’s right-side out. Use a seam ripper to remove any visible long gathering stitches, if needed.
Step 12
Fold the raw edges of the gap inward and hand stitch closed using an invisible stitch for a neat finish. Give your placemat a final press and it’s ready to use! Make as many as you need for your table.
Quick tips
- Lightweight cotton, linen, or cotton-linen blends work well.
- Avoid heavy fabrics as they don’t gather well.
- Machine wash placemats on a gentle cycle and air-dry flat to maintain their shape.
