How to make a placemat

1. Materials & tools

Materials (one placemat)

• Fabric (cotton, linen or canvas) — about 45 × 35 cm (18 × 14 in) per layer
• Optional: fusible batting or interfacing for body

Tools

• Sewing machine (or needle and thread)
• Fabric marker or pencil
• Ruler and scissors
• Iron
• Pins or clips

2. Make the pattern (auto-generated in Katagami)

With the Katagami pattern tool, you just enter the finished size and it drafts a seam-allowance-included pattern, tiled to print at actual size on Letter or A4.

1. Open the tool
   Open the pattern tool and choose “Accessories” → “Placemat” from the tabs at the top.
2. Enter the size
   Enter the finished width and height (e.g. 40 × 30 cm / 16 × 12 in). Presets cover common sizes.
3. Set the seam allowance
   Use the slider at the bottom (beginners: 1.0–1.5 cm / about 3/8–5/8 in).
4. Print
   Press “Print (actual size)”, then in the print dialog set Scale = 100% and turn “Fit to page” OFF. Check the 50 mm calibration box on the first guide sheet with a ruler.

3. Cutting the fabric

1. Trace the pattern
   Trace the cut line and seam line onto the wrong side of the fabric.
2. Cut
   Cut 1 for a single-layer mat, or 2 (front and back) for a double-layer mat.
3. Finish the edges
   For a single layer, you can zigzag the edges, but folding them under (below) hides them.

4. Sewing

4-1. Double-layer (turned) version

1. Place the two pieces right sides together and sew around, leaving a 8–10 cm (3–4 in) gap on one side for turning.
2. Trim the corners, turn right side out through the gap, and push the corners out. Press flat.
3. Topstitch all the way around close to the edge; this also closes the turning gap.

4-2. Single-layer (folded) version

1. Fold each edge under by the seam allowance, then fold again to make a double fold; press.
2. Mitre or overlap the corners neatly, then topstitch all the way around.

5. Tips & variations

• Add body: insert fusible batting for a padded mat that protects the table.
• Rounded corners: round the corners slightly for an easier turn and a softer look.
• Make a set: cut several at once from the same fabric for a matching set.