Cloth place mats give your kitchen or dining room a homey touch, but when youre ready for new ones, what do you do with the old? Usually the previous ones are still in good shape but youd just like a change. Instead of throwing them away theyre often stuffed in a closet somewhere in the house. Forget hiding those old place mats like youre ashamed of them. Make something new and exciting with them instead.
If youre like many people you have four place mats on your table. Four cloth mats can be turned into two fabulous throw pillows. Although the pillows will be small they look great when you place them amongst other pillows of various shapes and sizes. Simply position two of the mats, right sides together, and stitch around three sides. Stuff the pillow and stitch closed. Add tassels or other embellishments if you wish.
Many people only have two place mats on their table. Make a special pillow for a friend or family member using only two of the mats. Use stitching, fabric paints, or even rubber stamps to create a poem or tribute to someone you love on one place mat. Allow paints or adhesives to dry well before positioning the other place mat, stuffing, and stitching closed. Instead of making a tribute pillow, forego the paints and embellishments and use the pillow for a small pet bed. Use a single place mat to create a door decoration. Good for indoors or out, write what you want on the pillow, then display it for all to see. You can create multiple door signs if you have two or more of the mats. Use paints, stamps, small craft items and other things to create just the perfect door display for holidays or any day. Tack the door plaque on and change it at will with a new design you make from another mat. Use a single cloth place mat to make a jacket-type warming blanket for a small dog. Just add snaps, velcro or another closing device and youre done. Wrap the place mat around the dogs middle and fasten. He or she will stay warmer while outside. Use the place mat to make a picture frame mat. Cut the place mat to the size needed, treat the edges of the place mat with a no-fray product found at sewing supply stores, then replace the cardboard mat with the new cloth one. The frame and picture inside will look so much classier. The no-fray product will prevent the mat from unraveling if you ever change the photo inside the frame. Make a purse for a little girl by folding a place mat in half. Lower the front half until the back side is a couple inches higher than the front. Stitch or glue the sides shut. Use an old belt, a length or rope, or regular purse handles so the girl can carry it. Add on the embellishments you want such as silk flowers, fake jewels, sequin, small plastic novelties or other enhancements. If you have two or more place mats, yet theyre all the same color or pattern, each purse will still look different according to the craft supplies you affix to each. Make a wall hanger by starting with a cloth place mat and a dowel. Choose a dowel that is a half-inch in diameter. Make a small slit at each end of the dowel using a serrated knife. Use a piece of twine to create the hanger. Tie a knot in each end of the twine. Slide the twine ends into the slits on the ends of the dowel. The knots will prevent the twine from sliding all the way off the dowel. Fold one end of a cloth place mat over the dowel and glue into place. Now use any number of craft items to create a wall plaque, poem, tribute, announcement or other decoration. You can use stitching, fabric paint, pieces of cloth, rubber stamps and other supplies to accomplish the plaque you want to create. These make wonderful gifts. Hopefully, youre now looking at your old place mats in a whole new light. If you werent thinking of getting new place mats you probably are now. Go ahead! You wont just get new place mats; youll get all new items for you, your home or your pet!
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