DIY Fabric Placemats with Chevron painted effect

You can make your own DIY fabric placemats with a chevron painted effect using freezer paper and fabric paint just like mine. A fun and simple craft project perfect for any age!

I’m sharing a fun and super decorative craft. I made some ombre chevron placemats, believe it or not, I love Chevron and this is the very first chevron craft that I make.

DIY Fabric Placemats with Chevron painted effect cover image with text overlay

Table of Contents

Ombre Chevron Fabric Placemats Tutorial

This craft is really fun and easy to make, I love playing with paint and this project was no different. Trust me I got my hands really dirty.

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For this project, I used freezer paper because is so super easy to use and instead of using a brush, I used a sponge. Nothing fancy, just a normal yellow kitchen sponge.

DIY Fabric Placemats with Chevron painted effect on the dining table along with fork and a glass

Working with Freezer paper is super fun and the results are so good. It can take a few tries until you get the hang of it when it comes to using it as stencil and paint on it but trust me is super worth it.

I love how my stenciled monogram Pillow turned out using only freezer paper and black paint. So I keep using it and here you have it.

How to Make Fabric Placemats and stencil paint on it

Supplies:

4 rectangle pieces of fabric– 18×14 Inch (45×35 cm)
Fabric Paint – the color of your choice + White
Freezer paper
Sponge
Matching Thread
Protective plastic – for the surface you will be working on.

Tools:

A plastic or glass plate
Iron and ironing board
Fabric Scissors
Ruler or rotary cutter
Sewing Machine with presser foot.
Cutting Machine – this is optional since you can draw and cut your own chevron strips of freezer paper.

Instructions:

Hemming is not really my strongest suit. It might just be a case of impatience. therefore it’s the last thing I want to do on a sewing project. Ironically hemming is the only thing you need to stitch to finish the project.

Usually there seemed to be a lot of steps involved in hemming but my impatient brain is telling me it was overcomplicated so I made up my own kind of simpler thing.

Making the Fabric Placemats

Once you have your 4 pieces of fabric cut, I recommend ironing them to get them ready.

Hem around each side of the fabric. I like to fold 1/4 inch twice.

Working on the wrong side of the fabric make the first fold with raw edges and press the hem towards the wrong side of the fabric to create fold lines. First on one side then on the alternating side.

Now fold the tip of the corner towards the wrong side of the fabric, where the two seam allowances intersect. I like using a mark-n-be-gone marker, but you can also eye ball this and simply fold over and press the fold line.

Hem around each side of fabric pinned together

Refold the other hem edges creating a diagonal line between both sides. Press and pin in place to proceed with stitching.

Press again once you have stitched all along the hem.

Repeat with all the other 3 placemats.

Painting the Placemats

I cut some chevron stripes of freezer paper with my Silhouette Cameo.

You can do it either with a cutting machine, cutting the chevron yourself on the freezer paper or even using masking tape to create the chevron pattern if you want.

Place the chevron freezer paper stripes over the right side of the fabric trying to keep an even distance between each stripe.

Iron it onto the fabric well.

transferring the chevron stripes to a fabric with an iron

Repeat the process with all the other placemats.

Place some paint on a plate and with the sponge, I spread the paint with small taps until fills the area.

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!

I like it like that because the paint doesn’t leak into the freezer paper.

Every 2 or 3 rows add some white paint to the color you are using and mix well with a stick or brush.

Keep doing this until you finish the placemat and all the rows are painted.

Let it dry well.

Once dry, remove the freezer paper carefully.

I love this part, it’s kind of satisfying the feeling and sound when peeling off.

That’s it!

Repeat with the other placemats and you got yourself a cute new set of DIY Fabric Placemats!

superior view DIY Fabric Placemats with Chevron painted effect on table

You can’t get it easier than that.

Crafting Tips

For a sturdier and more durable placemat, use canvas or duck cloth. These fabrics hold paint well and add a rustic feel.
If sewing isn’t your thing, purchase plain, pre-made fabric placemats and customize them with your painted design.
Personalize each placemat with monogrammed initials. This works great for a family dinner or as a personalized gift.
For a fun and playful look, use a splatter paint technique. Flick paint onto the placemat for a dynamic, modern design.

DIY Fabric Placemats on the table viewed from a farther angle

Alternatives and Substitutions

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.
Instead of chevron, use geometric shapes like triangles, hexagons, or polka dots. Create stencils using freezer paper or masking tape for these patterns.
Use tape or paper to create abstract shapes and lines. This allows for a more freeform and modern look, where you can play with different colors and brush techniques.
Instead of freezer paper, use plastic stencils that can be reused for multiple projects, making the process faster and more economical in the long run.

DIY Fabric Placemats on the table viewed from a upper angle

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of fabric is best for making placemats?

For DIY placemats, it’s best to use medium to heavyweight fabrics such as cotton, canvas, linen, or duck cloth. These fabrics are durable, easy to work with, and provide a good surface for painting. Avoid lightweight fabrics like chiffon or silk, as they may not hold paint well and can be too flimsy for placemats.

Can I use regular paint instead of fabric paint?

No, it’s not recommended to use regular paint. Fabric paint is specially formulated to adhere to fabric and remain flexible without cracking. Regular paint may stiffen the fabric, crack over time, or wash off. If you don’t have fabric paint, you can use acrylic paint mixed with a fabric medium to make it suitable for fabric projects.

How do I prevent paint from bleeding under the stencil?

To prevent paint from bleeding under the stencil, make sure to iron the freezer paper stencil securely onto the fabric so it adheres well. Use a minimal amount of paint on the sponge and dab lightly. Avoid applying too much paint at once.

Can I use a different stencil material instead of freezer paper?

Yes, you can use other stencil materials, such as adhesive vinyl, Masking tape or painter’s tape, or Reusable plastic stencils.

How do I clean my painted fabric placemats?

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:

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DIY Mother Daughter Stenciled Apron Pattern (+ Cut File)

DIY Stenciled Christmas Table Runner Pattern + Cut File

Craft Sewing Basic Tools and Notions for Beginners

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