Pumpkin Placemat for Beginning Sewers

Look what I found in my Halloween storage box...

I completely forgot that I had Addie make pumpkin placemats last year. 

 They're a great starter, sew-on-the-lines,  project for a beginning sewer. The edges are cut AFTER sewing, so the seams look perfectly positioned, as if an expert sewed them.  Depending on the age and sewing ability of the child, the mats can be hand sewn or done on a machine.  Fusing and cutting can be done my an adult or the child, too.  Have fun!

For each placemat you'll need:

• 15" x 12" pieces of orange and yellow felt
• Scrap black felt
• Air-erase fabric marker
• Double-sided fusible web or fabric glue
• Iron
• Scissors
• Pinking scissors
• Orange thread
• Needle or sewing machine

1. Stack yellow and orange rectangles on top of each other.
2. Draw pumpkin shapes with an air-erase fabric marker or  fabric chalk.
3. Have your child sew right on the lines with a machine or by hand.
4. Cut about 1/4" from the sewn lines around the pumpkin with pinking sheers (straight would work too).

5. If using fusible web,with a pressing cloth to avoid scorching the felt, fuse one side of double-sided fusible web to black felt. 
6. Cut out pumpkin eyes, mouths, noses and other embellishments.

 

1. Fuse or glue face shapes to orange front to create a pumpkin.
2. Be sure to sign and date your wonderful creation!

P.S.  I made the not-nearly-as-cool spider web placemat by painting on a Dollar Store black bamboo mat to go under...

My FINALLY finished chalkboard pumpkin!  Yeah, me!

I will be linking Addie's project to...
Craftzine Halloween Flickr Contest 
Monday Link Party at Craft-O-Maniac
Sunday Showcase Party at Under The Table and Dreaming
Halloween Link Party at Polish the Stars
Weekend Wrap-up Party at Tatertots & Jello
Everything But The Kitchen Sink at A Little Knick Knack