DIY Fabric Placemats with an Ombre Chevron Design
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These DIY fabric placemats started because I wanted to play with chevron, paint, and freezer paper all in one project. I painted the pattern in different shades of orange to create an ombre effect, and I still love how much personality these simple pieces of fabric added to the table.
And believe it or not, as much as I loved chevron at the time, this was my very first chevron craft!
Table of Contents
Why I Love These DIY Fabric Placemats
There are a few things I especially like about this project:
- Once you understand the technique, you can use it for table runners, pillows, napkins, and other fabric projects too.
- You can make the placemats from a simple piece of fabric.
- The freezer paper makes creating a custom stencil surprisingly easy.
- You only need one paint color plus white to create the ombre effect.
- The chevron pattern can be cut with a cutting machine or completely by hand.
How to Make Fabric Placemats and stencil paint on them
This project was such a fun excuse to play with fabric paint. And yes, I got my hands pretty dirty along the way.
I used freezer paper to create the chevron stencil and a regular kitchen sponge to apply the paint. Nothing fancy. Just one of those simple yellow sponges I already had around the house.
I really enjoy working with freezer paper for fabric stenciling because once you iron it onto the fabric, it stays nicely in place while you paint. There can be a little learning curve the first time you use it, especially when figuring out how much paint to apply, but once you get the hang of it, the clean edges are so satisfying.
I used the same technique for my stenciled monogram pillow, using freezer paper and black fabric paint, and loved the result there too.
Supplies
- 4 rectangular pieces of fabric, approximately 18 x 14 inches (45 x 35 cm)
- Fabric paint in your chosen color
- White fabric paint
- Freezer paper
- Kitchen sponge
- Matching thread
- Plastic, paper, or another protective covering for your work surface
Tools
- Plastic or glass plate for mixing paint
- Iron and ironing board
- Fabric scissors
- Ruler or rotary cutter and mat
- Sewing machine and presser foot
- Cutting machine, optional
You absolutely don’t need a cutting machine for this. I used my Silhouette Cameo because I had one, but you can draw and cut the chevron strips yourself or even create the pattern with painter’s tape.
Instructions:
The complete simplified tutorial is in the How-To Card below, but here I’ll show you exactly how I made mine, including my not-so-traditional way of hemming them.
Making the Fabric Placemats
Hemming has never been my favorite part of sewing. It may simply be a case of impatience, but it’s usually the last thing I want to do.
And, ironically, hemming is basically all the sewing this project requires.
Traditional hemming tutorials sometimes felt unnecessarily complicated to me, so over time I started doing the corners in a way that made more sense to my impatient brain.
Step 1: Cut and press the fabric
Cut four pieces of fabric to approximately 18 x 14 inches.
Before sewing anything, give each piece a good press. Starting with smooth fabric makes measuring, folding, and sewing the hems much easier.
Step 2: Fold the hems
Working on the wrong side of the fabric, fold one raw edge over about 1/4 inch and press.
Fold it over another 1/4 inch so the raw edge is completely enclosed.
Repeat this around the placemat, pressing as you go so you have clear fold lines to work with.
Step 3: Fold the corners
At each corner, fold the very tip toward the wrong side of the fabric where the two folded seam allowances meet.
I like using a disappearing fabric marker to help me see where the folds intersect, but I have also eyeballed it plenty of times.
Press the little diagonal fold.
Then refold the hems along the pressed lines. This creates a cleaner diagonal corner instead of having several bulky layers stacked on top of one another.
Pin everything in place.
Step 4: Stitch around the placemat
Sew close to the inner folded edge all the way around the placemat.
Once everything is stitched, press the edges and corners again.
Repeat with the remaining three placemats.
And there you go. The sewing part is DONE. My favorite moment. Ha!
Step 5. Make the chevron stencil
I cut several chevron strips from freezer paper using my Silhouette Cameo.
You can also draw and cut the pattern by hand. Another simple option is painter’s tape or masking tape arranged into a chevron design.
The important part isn’t getting every line mathematically perfect. Just try to keep the spacing fairly consistent across the placemat.
Step 7: Iron the freezer paper onto the fabric
Arrange the freezer paper strips over the right side of the placemat.
Once you’re happy with the placement, iron the freezer paper onto the fabric according to the paper manufacturer’s directions.
Make sure the edges are well adhered, especially around the corners of each chevron. Those edges are what keep the paint from sneaking underneath the stencil.
Repeat with each placemat.
NOTE: Please don’t forget to protect your surface with plastic or paper before starting painting. I forgot and made a bit of a mess. Learn from my mistakes, please!
Step 8: Sponge on the first paint color
Pour a small amount of your main fabric paint color onto a plate.
Dip the sponge lightly into the paint and remove any excess before applying it to the fabric.
Instead of rubbing the sponge back and forth, I use small tapping motions to build up the color.
This is important because using too much paint or pushing the sponge sideways can force paint underneath the stencil.
Step 9: Create the ombre effect
Paint the first two or three chevron rows with your original color.
Then add a little white paint to the color remaining on the plate and mix well.
Paint another couple of rows.
Add a little more white, mix again, and keep going.
Each new mixture becomes slightly lighter than the one before it, giving you that gradual ombre effect.
There is no exact formula here. I simply kept adding white until I liked the difference between each shade.
Step 10: Let the paint dry
Let the placemat dry completely before removing the freezer paper.
Follow the drying and heat-setting directions for the specific fabric paint you are using because brands can vary.
Step 11: Peel away the freezer paper
Once the paint is dry, carefully peel away each strip of freezer paper.
I LOVE this part.
There is something ridiculously satisfying about the feeling and sound of peeling the stencil away and seeing all those clean chevron lines underneath.
Repeat with the remaining placemats and your new set is ready!
That’s it!
Crafting Tips
A few little things make a big difference with this project:
- Don’t overload the sponge. Several light layers are much safer than one heavy coat of paint.
- Press the freezer paper edges well. Pay special attention to all the little points and corners in the chevron.
- Dab instead of brushing. Brushing sideways makes it much easier for paint to work underneath the stencil.
- Test your paint first. Different fabrics absorb paint differently. A scrap from the same fabric is the best place to test your sponge and paint amount.
- Mix enough paint for each section. Once you add white, recreating exactly the same shade can be tricky.
- Use a medium or heavyweight fabric. Cotton canvas, duck cloth, or a sturdy cotton works especially well for placemats.
Easy Ways to Change the Design
- If sewing isn’t your thing, purchase plain, pre-made placemats and customize them with your painted design.
- Instead of hemming, use fabric glue along the edges for a quick, no-sew option. This is ideal for those who want to avoid sewing altogether.
- You can use exactly the same technique and make the project look completely different.
- Try blues, greens, pinks, or another color that works with your dishes and table.
- Replace the chevrons with stripes, dots, triangles, or another simple geometric stencil.
- Paint each placemat in a different color while keeping the same pattern.
- Add a monogram to one corner for personalized placemats.
- Skip the ombre and paint every chevron stripe the same color.
- If you don’t want to sew the placemats from scratch, you can also start with plain purchased fabric placemats and go straight to the stenciling.
How to Care for Painted Fabric Placemats
The most important thing here is to follow the curing and washing instructions for your particular fabric paint.
Some paints need to dry for a specific number of hours. Others also need to be heat-set with an iron before washing.
Once the paint is completely cured, I would wash the placemats in cold water on a gentle cycle or by hand and avoid scrubbing directly over the painted design.
Air drying is the gentlest option, although some fabric paints can go in the dryer on low once properly heat-set.
Frequently Asked Questions
I prefer a medium-weight cotton, canvas, linen, or duck cloth. You want something sturdy enough to lie nicely on the table but still easy to sew and paint. Very lightweight fabrics can feel too flimsy and may also let more paint soak through.
Plain acrylic paint isn’t my first choice because it can make the fabric stiff and may not hold up as well through washing. If acrylic paint is what you already have, mix it with a fabric medium according to the manufacturer’s directions. That gives the paint more flexibility and helps it adhere better to fabric.
Usually it comes down to one of three things: the freezer paper wasn’t completely adhered, there was too much paint on the sponge, or the paint was pushed sideways underneath the stencil. Press the stencil edges again with the iron, use less paint, and apply it by tapping straight down.
Yes, you can use other stencil materials, such as adhesive vinyl, Masking tape or painter’s tape, or Reusable plastic stencils.
To clean your painted fabric placemats wait at least 24-48 hours for the paint to fully cure.
Hand wash or use washing machine on a gentle cycle with mild detergent and cold water. Avoid scrubbing directly on the painted areas. You can air dry them but if you used a high-quality fabric paint, you can also use your dryer in a lower temperature cycle.
More Sewing Projects To Try
Like this DIY Fabric Placemats tutorial? You might definitely love these other Sewing project ideas too:
I still love how these turned out, especially those little changes in the orange from one row to the next.
If you make your own set, I’d love to know what colors you chose! Leave me a comment below with a star review and tag me on Instagram so I can see your creations.
✂️ Tutorial
DIY Fabric Placemats with an Ombre Chevron Design
Tools
- Sewing Machine
- Iron and ironing board
- Fabric Scissors
- Ruler or rotary cutter
- Plate for mixing paint
- Cutting machine, optional
Supplies
- 4 pieces of fabric 18 x 14 inches
- Fabric paint
- White fabric paint
- Freezer paper
- Sponge
- Matching thread
Instructions
- . Cut four 18 x 14-inch pieces of fabric and press them well.
- Fold each raw edge over 1/4 inch twice and press.
- Fold the corners diagonally, refold the hems, and pin everything in place.
- Stitch around all four edges and press again.
- Cut chevron strips from freezer paper and arrange them evenly over the fabric.
- Iron the freezer paper onto the placemat so all the stencil edges are secure.
- Protect your work surface and pour the main fabric paint color onto a plate.
- Dab the paint onto the exposed fabric with a sponge.
- After every two or three rows, add a little white paint to create progressively lighter shades.
- Continue painting until the entire chevron design is filled.
- Let the paint dry completely.
- Carefully peel away the freezer paper.
- Cure or heat-set the paint according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Repeat with the remaining placemats.
Notes
Share and PIN ME!!!
I love how they turned out, how about you? Like it??? Have you done Ombre Chevron Placemats before?
Til’ next time…
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