Unique table mats

I love finding practical uses for my crafting so turn appliqué, fabric painted and/or free motion stitcheries into lightly quilted mats for bedside or occasional tables .

This one used lots of ribbon scraps stitched down to look like ferns and the crab and puffin were simply drawn with fabric paint at the end.

I quilt in random swirls as I like the texture it creates.

To finish I made my own binding to replicate a picture frame effect.

Placemats converted

A quick and straightforward sew converted elderly placemats into storage bags and pots.

I folded a mat in half so that the fringed edges became the top hem then seamed both sides to make a simple bag. Then I boxed the bottom corners to give it structure.

Because these are heavyweight mats the finished article stands up well.

Smaller bags were made by chopping a mat in half and following the same simple sew.