10 Week Sewing Challenge

Week 1: How to Sew a Placemat

Welcome to the first week of the Summer Sewing Challenge. This is the start of the 10 week series of sewing projects that are beginner friendly, relatively quick to sew, and most importantly, help to increase your sewing skills.

The projects are meant to be simple as to not take up too much time so you can be able to finish the challenge; however, sometimes, life happens. And that’s okay. If you don’t complete each project or it takes you longer than 10 weeks, no worries. This challenge is to help you grow. Use it in a way that best fits your lifestyle. Have fun!

Note: if you stumbled to our internet home outside of the sewing challenge, we welcome you. Check out the other items in this sewing challenge and join the challenge at any time.

In this first project, you will learn how to sew a placemat. This great for those summer soirées or as a gift for someone special in your life.

This will make one 17″x13″ rectangle placemat. Feel free to adjust the size to your liking.

• 1/2 yd. of fabric
• fusible interfacing
• matching thread

Step 1

Cut a 18″x14″ rectangle on the fold of cotton fabric.

Step 2

Cut a 17″x13″ rectangle on the fold of fusible fleece.

Step 3

Iron fleece onto fabric and fold right sides together.

Step 4

Sew with 1″ seam allowance around the perimeter leaving 1-2 inches open along one of the shorter sides.

Step 5

Turn fabric right side out and press.

Step 6

Sew a top stitch 1/4-1/2 inch from the edge around the perimeter.

Step 7

Enjoy your new creation.

Congratulations, you’ve completed the first project in the 10 week sewing series. Let me know your thoughts on the project and any variations you added.