How To Sew Farmhouse Placemats Using Cotton Rope

Learn how to sew farmhouse placemats using cotton rope. This project is very simple and easy. Perfect for a quick solution or beginners!

I wanted some simple placemats for our farmhouse table that fit my style and favorite colors. My people know how I love me some good ‘ol dropcloth, ticking stripe, and jute twine. Just some simple farmhouse placemats please. This tutorial shows you how to sew placemats with some simple rope and a little farmhouse style.

Shopping for what I want is usually not my go-to method. Sure, I’ll browse the internet—ok, Pinterest—for some inspiration. Then I’ll get to working on some frugal option and make it my own. Especially since what I could by in stores usually is overpriced and not exactly what I want. I know you feel me here.

Why Make These Placemats

Your home is your castle, refuge, and retreat. To create a personal touch is priceless. There’s nothing like a hard day’s work, and leaving your stamp on the day and in this world.

When your people sit down at the table to eat, converse, study, or play games, they will see your personal touch and care for their space. It reminds them of your labor of love in yet another way.

These Placemats Make Perfect Gifts!

Another personal touch to gift giving. What a nice way to say “I love and care for you” by gifting these useful items!

Mother’s Day. Birthdays. Bridal showers. House warmings. Just because you’re my friend. The people in your life will love to get a gift handmade from you especially for them.

Video How To Sew Farmhouse Placemats Using Cotton Rope

Tools and Materials Needed to Make Farmhouse Placemats Using Cotton Rope

• Cotton rope, 3/8″x100yd., x 3. If making 6 placemats, buy 4
• Thread in neutral color, or color of choice
• Sewing machine
• Clear tape
• Scissors

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TIPS:

1. GO SLOW! When first starting the placemat, going slow will produce the best result. As the rounds get wider, it will get easier around the corners and will be easier to increase the speed of sewing.
2. To keep the rope flat to form a placemat (instead of a bowl), use a stack of books or whatever you have on hand that lines up to the edge of your sewing machine.
3. Always keep the supply feed of rope on the right side of the foot.
4. Make sure the needle is down on the left piece of rope when lifting the foot to adjust around corners. This gives a more secure bond as you are able to push the rope from the right side into the left as you sew.
5. Be sure to always be pushing the two pieces of rope tight against each other as you sew.

How to Care for Your Placemats

Wash these placemats on gentle cycle and cold. Dry with a delicate cycle or lay flat to dry.

How To Sew Farmhouse Placemats Using Cotton Rope

Wrap a piece of tape around the end of the rope. Trim the end of rope leaving about 1/4″ piece with tape.

Measure 4.5″—5″ from the end and fold over. Secure with a straight pin to help keep the rope held tight against itself as you start sewing.

Place the folded piece of rope on the sewing machine with the rope supply always on the right side of the foot. Using the zig-zag stitch on the widest stitch setting and a long stitch length (4 on my machine), slowly begin sewing, lining up the space between the two sides of rope with the center of the sewing machine foot. This ensures that both pieces of rope are sewn together.

Sew around and around until placemat reaches desired size. I made mine about 10 inches wide, or 26 rounds out from center.

When you come to the end of your rope, join the end with the new package of rope by cutting each end at a 45º angle. Match up the ends and zig zag stitch across several times to secure. Then continue to sew the placemat as before.

To end the placemat, cut the rope at a deep angle, attach with zig zag stitch as before, and zig zag over and over the edge to secure any frays.

How To Sew Farmhouse Placemats Using Cotton Rope

Yield: 4-6

Learn how to sew farmhouse-inspired placemats using cotton rope. This project is very simple and easy. Perfect for a quick solution or beginners!

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Materials

• Cotton rope, 3/8"x100yd., x 3. If making 6 placemats, buy 4
• Thread in neutral color, or color of choice
• Sewing machine
• Clear tape
• Scissors

Tools

• Sewing machine
• Quality fabric scissors

Instructions

1. Wrap a piece of tape around the end of the rope. Trim the end of rope leaving about 1/4" piece with tape.
2. Measure 4.5″—5″ from the end and fold over. Secure with a straight pin to help keep the rope held tight against itself as you start sewing.
3. Place the folded piece of rope on the sewing machine with the rope supply always on the right side of the foot. Using the zig-zag stitch on the widest stitch setting and a long stitch length (4 on my machine), slowly begin sewing, lining up the space between the two sides of rope with the center of the sewing machine foot. This ensures that both pieces of rope are sewn together.
4. Sew around and around until placemat reaches desired size. I made mine about 10 inches wide, or 26 rounds out from center.
5. When you come to the end of your rope, join the end with the new package of rope by cutting each end at a 45º angle. Match up the ends and zig zag stitch across several times to secure. Then continue to sew the placemat as before.
6. To end the placemat, cut the rope at a deep angle, attach with zig zag stitch as before, and zig zag over and over the edge to secure any frays.

Notes

GO SLOW! When first starting the placemat, going slow will produce the best result. As the rounds get wider, it will get easier around the corners and will be easier to increase the speed of sewing.

To keep the rope flat to form a placemat (instead of a bowl), use a stack of books or whatever you have on hand that lines up to the edge of your sewing machine.

Always keep the supply feed of rope on the right side of the foot.

Make sure the needle is down on the left piece of rope when lifting the foot to adjust around corners. This gives a more secure bond as you are able to push the rope from the right side into the left as you sew.

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