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When they finally appeared, many people thought they were unnecessary, impractical and even scandalous
This fab project allows you to learn two fabric techniques in one simple make – how to make placemats and how to do some simple cloud cross stitch! It’s the perfect project to give your dining table a crafty new lease of life! Once you’ve made this project, you can find even more embroidery patterns for free here on Gathered.
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You will need
- Linen fabric: 40x95cm (16x38in)
- Iron-on heavyweight interfacing: 32x44cm (125/8×173/8in)
- Binding fabric: 20x52cm (8x21in)
- Stranded cotton: lavender and white
- Matching thread
- Basic sewing kit
Notes
Use a 5mm (1/4in) seam allowance.
You will need to download and print the free cloud cross stitch placemat pattern template.
Free cloud cross stitch placemat pattern
You will need
- Linen fabric
- Iron-on-interfacing
- Fabric for binding
- Matching thread
- DMC stranded cotton
- Basic sewing kit
Method
1
Working cloud stitch
Work several rows of evenly spaced vertical straight stitches, staggering each row.
2
Using different coloured thread, bring your needle up from the back near the area you are stitching. Slide your needle from right to left through the first straight stitch, then through the first straight stitch in the next row.
3
Repeat this, alternating between the rows, then take your needle back down.
4
Come up again and slide your needle from left to right through the first straight stitch of the third row, then through the first straight stitch in the row above.
5
Repeat this, alternating between the rows. When you’re filling an area, you may need to form partial rows at the edges.
How to make fabric placemats
Cutting out
Step one
Cut the linen fabric as follows:
Placemat front: 40x50cm (16x20in).
Placemat back: 32x44cm (125/8×173/8in).
Step two
Cut the binding fabric into four strips, 5x52cm (2x21in) each.
Transferring the design
Step one
Download and print out the free cloud cross stitch placemat pattern
Step two
Place the template underneath the front fabric, positioning it 10cm (4in) from the raw edges at the top left corner of the linen.
Step three
Trace around the clouds outline using an erasable pen.
Embroidering the clouds
Step one
Using three strands of stranded cotton throughout, fill the clouds with cloud stitch. Work the vertical straight stitches using lavender thread and the weaving in white.
Step two
Outline the edges of the clouds in backstitch using lavender thread.
Assembling the placemats
Step one
Trim the embroidered front fabric to 32x44cm (125/8×173/8in), with the outer edges of the clouds 3cm (11/4in) from the top and left.
Step two
Press the interfacing on the wrong side (WS) of the placemat back fabric. Pin the front and back of the placemat WS together.
Binding the edges
Step one
Join the binding strips right sides (RS) together at the short ends to make a long strip.
Step two
Fold the strip in half lengthways with WS together and press, then turn one short end under by 1cm (3/8in) to the WS.
Step three
Pin the binding to the front of the lower edge of the placemat.
Step four
Sew the binding in place, mitring the corners as you go.
Step five
Work a running stitch just inside the edge of the binding to decorate.
