Valentine’s Day is a wonderful holiday to get creative with. Valentine’s hearts, teddy bears, treats…but what about decorating the table for your little ones? This year, include the kids in the creativity and make a Faux Quilted Placemat!
To make this craft, you will need:
-Fat Quarters in four different colors
-Pinking Shears
-Scissors
-Card Stock
-Tacky Glue
To start, cut fabric in 2 3/4 x 2 3/4 squares using the pinking shears. You will needs 6 squares of each of the 4 colors.
Using the remaining fabric pieces, cut hearts of different shapes and sizes (however, they must be small enough to fit inside the squares). You will need 6 hearts or each of the 4 colors.
Cut a rectangle that is 11 x 17 out of cardstock or oaktag. Paste the squares onto the cardstock by moving across from the top left corner to the top right corner. Overlap each consecutive square very slightly over the the previous square.
Continue doing this row by row, alternating colors in a pattern as you move along. Paste hearts on top of the squares. Put contrasting colors on top of the squares, again in a patterned sequence. Notice how the colors in the image below line up in a diagonal.
Once all the squares and hearts are in place, you may be left with some cardstock exposed on the right side and along the bottom. This is okay, simply trim the edges with pinking shears.
Repeat this process 3 times (or as many times as needed) to make a placemat set for your family. Looking for a quicker option? Alternatively, you could take your initial finished mat and have a color photocopies made of the mat. If you choose to do this, trim all 4 edges with pinking shears after you have made your photocopies. (NOTE: If you choose this option, do not trim the leftover cardstock mentioned earlier until AFTER you have made your photocopies)
Once you have finished making your mats (handmade or photocopied), you will need to laminate them. This will make the surface smooth for easy clean-up!
Place your mats out for breakfast/lunch/dinner and enjoy!