Fast forward 30 years and now that I'm the mama setting the table (or having my kids set it!) we always use placemats. Quirky as it sounds, it just doesn't feel quite right without placemats. Matter of fact, one of John Samuel's jobs is to clear the placemats after every meal. So, I had some leftover fabric from my scrappy log cabin quilt and an old sheet and I made some placemats for my ever changing collection.
I didn't want to make them too busy as I have so many busy cloth napkins and my everday plates have a strong design on them. So I added a strip of squares down the side of the placemat and then quilted them with straight lines. This was a great way for me to practice my quilting skills on a much smaller, easier to handle project. I used a warm and natural batting in between the front and the back and then put on a binding with my machine.
I started this project back in January and I've not been in a hurry to finish it. These placemats have been percolating and slowly emerging from my mind. They are reversible which is great...that gives us so many options. (really...it allows us to flip them over and use the clean side until they can be thrown in the wash!)
The back is an old sheet. That old sheet has been used for some many projects. I ended up making six placemats from what I had left over from the quilt. I really like them. I think we'll enjoy many meals on these placemats....who knows maybe one day, my kids will think a table is not quite right unless there are placemats under the plates! How about you....any quirks going on at your dinner table?
19 comments:
Those placemats are beautiful! They go perfect with your dishes. I am sure when your kids grow up they will want quilted placemats, like mom had, under their dishes too...:)
I tend to be the tablecloth type mom, like my mom was. I have several sets of placemats too, but end up using tablecloths most of the time.
I even cover the fabric tablecloth with the clear vinyl, atleast in the kitchen, so I can wipe up the grand kids messes quickly. The vinyl looks gross over it, but it simplifies my life a little more! :)
The placemats are great, and I love those dishes! We usually had placemats at the table when I was growing up, and I have starting trying to use them more regularly. I rarely use a tablecloth (because someone usually spills on it within seconds of sitting down to eat), but our table is about 13 years old with a tile top, so a tablecloth really does pretty it up. Just makes more laundry, though.
Your placemats are lovely, Lisa and just really so practical...like your napkins. Excited to start sewing some napkins as my hand is feeling so much better. Thanks for the inspiration!!!
They're too pretty -- here's hoping no spills or stains ever befall on these beauties.
I always use placemats that my mother wove for me. She used a reversible pattern, so we get a few days use before they head to the washer.
And don't those re-purposed sheets go a long way?
Happy weekend.
They are beautiful. My Mom always used cloth napkins and that has been a tradition I have brought to my home.
i Love how you created a similar look with a completely different feel on the reverse side of your placemat - just beautiful! Your kiddos will definitely remember eating their meals on quilted, mama made placemats - how cool is that! Growing up we always ate on the plastic laminated placemats too. For years we ate our family meals on fabric placemats - but about two years ago my guys were making a huge mess of the placemats at every single meal and I was washing loads of placemats each week that i decided we would place our plates directly on the table. Simply wiping down the table after each meal has been so easy that we never went back to placemats - although we do place a placemat or cutting board under the serving dish (sometimes it's hot). But it may be time we tried placemats again. Yours look so nice I may make some and start a new tradition too.
I love your placemats. Now that you got me sewing again with the napkin swap (which is great fun) I may have to move on to placemats. I love the hard board with cork back placemats and look for inexpensive ones all the time. It probably is what I'll be known for. I use the spode Christmas tree ones every year. Your table looks great!
I love your new placemats! The colors are gorgeous, and the simplicity complements your dishes perfectly.
So I guess the whole-standing-over-the-pot-at-the-stove-with-everybody-jabbing-their-forks-in where-ever-they-can thing is not big in your house?
Was it just my family? oops....
I love your placemats - that color scheme is very much what I love.
We started using placemats more often, now that we all eat together at the dinning room table. And your right, now it just doesn't seem right if I don't have a placemat.
I love the subtle earthy tones you've used here Lisa - they're so pretty.
Your placemats are so pretty, Lisa... I love the scrapy/homespun-y look and they pair so nicely with your cloth napkins! I just love making placemats and napkins--it's such a satisfying thing. My Mom was and still a great one for setting the table nicely, and I have taken that up to in my house. We always have a tablecloth or placemats, cloth napkins and candles. I don't "save" things for occasions, we use everything and enjoy it. I use PVC placemat on occasion if we have something "messy" to eat or when our young nieces and nephew is over. But I don't mind the extra laundry using cloth everything. I made a set of placemats last fall... Seeing your set today inspired me to make more! Happy Weekend to all of you :o) ((HUGS))
What gorgeous placemats! I love that you used up leftover quilt bits, too. I grew up with plastic laminated placemats that had straw and little dried flowers inside. Very 70s ... very wonderful!
They turned out perfect! I love them!! You do one amazing job using, reusing, repurposing to achieve perfect results.
I get tired of taking a table cloth on and off when I want to use the table, so placemats at dinner are perfect! Inspired by your post, I purchased a few new ones this weekend!
awesome job with the placemats! i love that your stripe, offers a great guide for the placement of the fork (in your picture). while i am pretty sure it was not planned that way, that's what my eye picked up on. my quirks are a lazy susan (i just love them!), and cloth napkins. my mom has a set of textured plain white one's with stringy fringe that i always remember accompanying Christmas eve dinner. she pulled them out when i visited them a few weeks ago. while they show the effects of use, they are treasured!
Lisa, this post was so special to me. First, I love your place mats, they are so pretty, but also I love remembering setting the table as a child. There was NEVER a night that we did not eat together as a family, and setting the table was a wonderful part of the ritual. I love setting the table with the kiddos, and enjoying the constant fun of seeing them make is beautiful, and their own. Thank you for the reminder :)
Happy Monday
Well pooh, something's wrong with my computer and I can't see your pics today, but I know your placemats are wonderful! And isn't the dinner hour an important and influential part of the family day? I'm so glad I a had mom smart enough to realize that too. No matter how late my dad came home in the evening, we 'held' dinner for him - at my mother's insistence ;-).
Blessings,
G
How pretty! I've been wanting to make some place mats for our family, and now having seen the pretty ones here, and over at SouleMama I'm even more excited to start! I've just found your blog, but I know I'll be back!
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