How to Make Hand-Dyed Place Mats Out of a Drop Cloth
Ditch the plastic, lace and everything in between. Create your own dip-dyed, canvas place mats for an upscale look at a dollar store price.
Finding neutral, yet beautiful place mats can be difficult. Once you find them, expect to pay around $20 a piece. Something so simple should and can be made at home.
What You'll Need
- gridded cutting mat
- canvas drop cloth
- scissors or rotary cutter
- plastic drop cloth
- 2 disposable baking tins
- mixing cup
- stir stick
- 2 complementary shades of fabric dye
- soda ash
- boiling water
- salt
- tablespoon
- 1-cup measuring cup
- rubber gloves
- sewing machine
- fabric wax
Jalynn Baker
Prep Materials
Jalynn Baker
Jalynn Baker
Jalynn Baker
Jalynn Baker
Begin by measuring and cutting a canvas drop cloth to 18 inches by 12 inches. Mix five tablespoons of fabric dye with equal parts soda ash and pour the mixture into a disposable baking tin with two quarts boiling water. Mix thoroughly before adding a cup of salt and continuing to mix. Repeat process in the second baking tin with the complementary fabric dye color.
Dip + Dye
Jalynn Baker
Jalynn Baker
Once both dyes are mixed, dip one end of the place mat into one color and the opposite end into the other color. Lay the place mat on a plastic drop cloth and allow the fabric to fully dry.
Sew Edges and Apply Wax
Jalynn Baker
Jalynn Baker
Once the placemat is dry, use a sewing machine and your choice of thread to sew around the perimeter of the placemat, one inch in from the edge. Fray the edges and apply an even coat of fabric wax on the front and back of the placemat.
Display
Jalynn Baker
Pick colors that complement your decor and rotate seasonally or find the perfect fit for your space and utilize them all year round. One thing is certain, the options are endless.
