Creative Placemats For Weddings: A Step-By-Step Guide

Planning a wedding is no easy feat, and it's the little details that can make all the difference. Placemats are a great way to elevate your table setting, especially if you're forgoing a tablecloth. They can add a pop of colour, a touch of glamour, or a unique, personal twist to your wedding tables. From rustic burlap to elegant lace, there are endless options to choose from when it comes to DIY wedding placemats. You can even add a special message, the menu, or a quote to make your guests feel extra special.

Burlap and lace placemats

Burlap and lace are a perfect combination for a rustic or vintage-style wedding. Here is a guide to making your own burlap and lace placemats:

Materials:

• Burlap fabric
• Lace fabric or trim
• Scissors
• Sewing machine or needle and thread
• Fabric glue (optional)

Steps:

• Decide on the size and shape of your placemats. Common sizes are 12 x 16 inches or 14 x 18 inches, but you can customize them to fit your table.
• Cut the burlap fabric to the desired size and shape. If you want round placemats, you can use a large plate or bowl as a guide for cutting.
• Cut the lace to fit the edges of the burlap. You can use a single layer of lace or add multiple layers for a more dimensional look.
• Attach the lace to the burlap. You can sew it in place or use fabric glue for a no-sew option.
• If desired, add additional embellishments like beads, rhinestones, or faux flowers.
• Finish the edges of the placemats with a simple hem or a decorative stitch.
• Repeat the process for as many placemats as needed.

Tips:

• Burlap has a tendency to fray, so finish the edges of your placemats securely.
• Pre-wash the burlap to soften the fabric and reduce any shedding.
• If you're concerned about the smell of burlap, you can try airing out the fabric or using a fabric freshener before assembling the placemats.
• For a more elegant look, consider using finer fabrics like linen or cotton instead of burlap.
• Experiment with different colors and patterns of lace to find the perfect match for your wedding theme.

Nature-inspired placemats

Bark or Moss Placemats

If you're looking for something that will give your table setting a natural feel, consider using bark or moss placemats. You can pair these with blush napkins or a geometric green and white tablecloth for a pop of colour.

Wood Slices

Wood slices make ideal placemats, especially for a rustic tablescape. Pair them with evergreens and pinecones to create a woodland-inspired look. You can also decorate the wood slices with calligraphy for a unique touch.

Tropical Leaves

Large palm or banana leaves are perfect for a tropical wedding. They add an eye-catching element to your tablescape and can be decorated with calligraphy or left plain.

Jute, Wicker, and Wood Placemats

For a bit of rustic elegance, consider using jute, wicker, or wood placemats. These materials are versatile and can be paired with various colours and styles. For example, try a woven jute placemat with an olive green napkin and gold tableware, or a round wicker placemat with succulents and black linen napkins.

Fabric Placemats

Fabric placemats can be found or made in various colours and shapes to fit your wedding theme. For example, you could use bold yellow fabric placemats with lemons for a black and white tablescape or elegant chevron beige and white placemats with gold chargers and neutral florals.

Rustic placemats

Jute, Wicker, and Wood Placemats

Jute, wicker, and wood placemats are perfect for a rustic tablescape. They easily fit various colour schemes, styles, and themes, making them a versatile choice. You can pair them with olive green napkins and gold tableware for a touch of rustic elegance, or combine them with evergreens, pinecones, and neutral flowers for a more natural look.

Burlap Placemats

Burlap placemats are another excellent option for a rustic wedding. You can find them in round or rectangular shapes, and they come in different colours like natural tan, brown, and grey. They are often heat-resistant and can be decorated with tassels or other embellishments.

Handmade Boho Placemats

For a more unique look, you can opt for handmade boho placemats made from natural cotton burlap and water straw. These placemats combine different materials and textures to create a rustic yet modern feel. They are perfect for a farmhouse or outdoor wedding.

Rustic Paper Placemats

If you're looking for something disposable and easy to clean up, rustic paper placemats are a great option. You can find them with beautiful floral designs on a rustic barnwood background. They are perfect for engagement parties, bridal showers, or wedding receptions.

Other Ideas

You can also get creative and use natural elements like bark or moss as placemats for a truly rustic look. Slice wood into chargers or use large leaves for a tropical theme. For a more elegant approach, try woven placemats made from natural fibres like water hyacinth or seagrass.

Fabric placemats

If you're making your own fabric placemats, you'll need to decide on the size. The standard size for rectangular placemats is 45 by 35cm (18" by 14"), but you can always adjust the sizing to fit your tables.

When it comes to choosing a fabric, natural fibres like cotton and linen are best as they're easily washable, can stand the warmth radiating from plates, and come in a variety of colours and prints. Quilting cotton is a good choice, as is linen, canvas, and chambray. You'll also want to choose a medium-weight fabric.

If you want to add some extra padding to your placemats, you can use fusible interfacing, quilting batting, or Insul-Bright (a special sew-in interfacing product).

Once you've chosen your fabric and any additional materials, it's time to start crafting. Here's a simple step-by-step guide to making your own fabric placemats:

• Cut your fabric to the desired size, adding a ½" (1.3cm) seam allowance. If you're making reversible placemats, cut two pieces of fabric for each placemat.
• (Optional) Add fusible interfacing to the back of one fabric piece.
• Place the two pieces of fabric right sides together and sew around, leaving a gap of a few inches on one side for turning.
• Clip the corners for a neat finish.
• Turn the placemat right side out and press well, poking out the corners.
• Topstitch around the entire placemat, using a longer stitch length for a prettier finish.

And that's it! You can add your own creative flair to these steps, of course, with decorations, embroidery, or additional fabrics. Happy crafting!

Glitter and metallic placemats

If you're looking to add some sparkle to your wedding tables, glitter and metallic placemats are a perfect choice. Here are some ideas and instructions to make your own:

Ideas for Glitter and Metallic Placemats:

• Elegant gold laser-cut placemats with a black tablecloth and geometric details for an art deco theme.
• Gold doily placemats to make a glamorous statement.
• Gold sequin placemats will add extra shine and glamour to your tables.
• Round silver placemats complement mercury glass candle holders beautifully.
• For a New Year's wedding, consider glittery placemats with bold florals for a festive touch.

DIY Liquid-Filled Glitter Placemats:

To make your own liquid-filled glitter placemats, you'll need the following materials:

• Fiskars Amplify Mixed Media Shears 8"
• Fiskars silicone mats
• Clear vinyl (10 gauge or any other lightweight vinyl)
• Solvent-resistant glitter
• Clear liquid soap
• Iron or flattening iron
• Ironing board or mat
• Wax paper
• Template of your desired shape (e.g., a placemat)

Instructions:

• Cut two identical pieces of vinyl with a 1" allowance around your template.
• Cut wax paper into the same size as your template and the real-size placemat.
• Layer a large piece of wax paper, vinyl, the wax paper template, vinyl, and another large piece of paper on your silicone mat.
• Use a hot iron without steam to fuse the edges of the vinyl, leaving an opening for adding soap and glitter.
• Once the edges have cooled, slowly pour in the clear soap, followed by a sprinkle of glitter. You can also pre-mix the soap and glitter.
• Iron out the remaining opening to seal the placemat.
• Gently push the soap over the sealed edge to test for leaks.
• Trim any excess vinyl with craft scissors.

Your glittery placemats will add a unique and festive touch to your wedding tables!

Frequently asked questions