Project Flashback: Easy Outdoor Placemats

There is a brief window each day while my kiddos nap that I try to seize whenever possible to work on a craft or sewing project. Nothing is more satisfying to me during that time than to tackle an entire project from start to finish! The project I’ll be sharing with y’all today is absolutely doable when time is of the essence. I was able to complete four of these little beauties in well under an hour – and that includes clean-up time!

I am in the process of finishing up the décor for the café table on our deck, and in planning that space, I knew I wanted to include a table runner or placemats of some sort that were made of materials that would enable me to leave them outdoors for long periods without having to worry about them. I happened upon some non-skid, waffle-weave placemats at the dollar store last week, and I immediately knew they would be perfect to serve that purpose. They would have been perfectly functional straight from the store, but in typical Amy fashion, I just couldn’t bear to leave them unaccessorized. 😉 With a few extra placemats in various colors, some burlap and some scrap fabric and buttons, I was able to make some easy stacked flowers to adhere to my mats. There was really nothing to it, but the end result is downright fun!

Supplies
4 coordinating non-skid, waffle-weave placemats
Additional waffle-weave placemats in various colors for flowers (or, if you have some extra waffle-weave shelf liner on hand, that will work, too)
Burlap
Scrap fabric
Scissors
Pinking shears (optional, but you might like to use these to cut out your fabric as an added decorative touch)
Hot glue gun/glue
Buttons

• Use a warm iron to press your burlap and fabric circles before gluing your flowers together so they lie flat on your mats.
• Because hot glue will seep through your mats when you adhere your flowers, be sure to protect your work surface. I like to use freezer paper for this purpose.