Your children will have fun making their own personal place mat.
To make this placemat follow the directions for Making Felt.
Make a 24″ x 16″ rectangle with the wool roving. This should shrink to a piece of felt approx. 20″ x 14″ in size.
For the final decorative layer, let your kids make the design. They can use different coloured wool roving as well as short lengths of yarn. Use pure wool yarn only and cover it with a thin layer of the wool roving, to secure it in place.
After the felt is fully dry (it takes about 24 hours) trim the edges to the desired size of the placemat. (approx. 18″ x 12″)
The edges don’t have to be even. A slightly irregular shape can add an interesting design element. Keep the felt trimmings. They can be used for decorative appliques in other projects.
Seam Binding Edge Finish
Sew some seam binding around the edge to finish.
Sew a row of zig-zag stitch around the edge of the mat to secure the edges Working from the reverse side of the mat, pin the seam binding around the edge of the mat and stitch in place with a straight seam.
Trim the edges close to the seamline with scissors.
Press lightly with a steam iron.
Working from the right side of the mat, turn the seam binding over the edge.
Tuck the edge of the seam binding under, and top stitch it in place.
Press the edges again lightly with a steam iron.
More About Feltmaking:
How to Make Handmade Felt
You can make felt in your bathtub.
Felting Kit – EBay Watch
