Sharing another DIY on the Laura Ashley blog, Victoria shows us how to create DIY placemats and napkins worthy of an alfresco feast... read more
You loved Victoria’s bicycle basket liners so much, we just had to invite her back again to do another DIY on the blog. Using our fabric yet again, Victoria shows us how to make the most of the Summer evenings by creating frilled edge placements and napkins, perfect for an alfresco feast. Who would’ve thought our fabric could be so versatile? Read on for Victoria’s simple make and do…
One of the highlights of the summer months is being able to eat outside. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a family BBQ, a cosy candle-lit dinner for two or a leisurely breakfast for one, I relish all and any opportunity to dine alfresco. Yet, to fully appreciate all that outside eating has to offer, a beautifully dressed table really adds a touch of luxury to every meal. Placemats and napkins are a functional and stylish way to add interest to your patio table. I chose two co-ordinating fabrics for the placemats and napkins. The Abbeville Duck Egg Cotton is a beautiful, delicate floral print that is perfect for the placemats and the Bacall Duck Egg Linen co-ordinates beautifully, adding vintage linen charm to the napkins.
To make the frilled napkins, you will need:
– Laura Ashley Fabric
– Matching thread
– Fabric Shears
– Sewing machine
– Iron and ironing board
1. Firstly, you will need to cut out your napkin base. I love a large napkin and therefore advise that you cut out a square 50 x 50cms in the Bacall Duck Egg Linen. (You can of course, create a smaller size, if you prefer.) Now, press a double fold hem on all four sides of the fabric square and sew.
2. Then cut out 3 strips of fabric that are 4 inches deep and use the full width of fabric for the length. Press the fabric in half, lengthways and set your sewing machine to the longest stitch setting. Without backstitching, sew a line of stitches half a centimetre from the raw edges and gather the fabric by holding onto the ends of the thread and carefully, but firmly gathering the fabric down the thread.
3. Connect the edges the three ruffles together to create one long ruffle and then pin the ruffle to the wrong side of the napkin, with the raw edges towards the edge of the napkin. Once pinned, stitch the ruffle to napkin.
4. Using the iron, press the secured frill back on its self and pin the napkin edge to the frill and sew into place as close to the napkin edge as possible. This hides the raw edges of the frill and ensures your napkins are easy to clean and long lasting.
For the frilled placemats, you will need:
– Laura Ashley fabric
– Matching thread
– Fabric shears
– Sewing machine
– Iron and ironing board
1. Firstly, cut out the four pieces of fabric for the placemat. Two rectangles for the main body of the placemat, measuring 31cm x 45cm and two rectangles to create the frills measuring 60cm x 15cm.
2. Pin the largest rectangles together, right-side to right-side and sew a 1cm hem along the longest edges of the fabric.
3. Turn the fabric, right way out and press flat before turning 1cm of the unsewn side edges inwards and pressing. Put to one side whilst you create the frills.
4. Fold the smaller rectangles in half, lengthways right-side to right-side and press. Stitch a 1cm seam along each side, leaving the long edge open. Turn the right way out and press. Then, slip the raw edges of the frilled edge into the gaps on the main body and carefully pinch and fold the fabric to create the ruffles and pin into place before sewing.
5. Once any loose threads have been trimmed, your placemat is ready to go.
Now, with your table beautifully accessorised, all that you need is some sunshine, loved ones and some summer dishes to enjoy.
We love Victoria’s latest make and do, don’t you`? Tweet us your thoughts @LauraAshleyUK