oilcloth picnic mat tutorial

After reading the new book by EllynAnne Geisel, The Kitchen Linens Book: Using, Sharing, and Cherishing the Fabrics of Our Daily Lives, I just had to make this pretty picnic mat for my family. The day my family spent flying kites in a wet field I knew we needed one of these, but it was the section on picnics that made the idea a reality. My philosophy for both shops Modern June and Oilcloth Addict is that small things in life help to make big memories. I know EllynAnne feels the same way. Linens of all types evoke fond memories.

Check out my review of the book at Sew Mama Sew! Don't forget to leave a comment after reading the post, Sew Mama Sew is giving away 6 books!!!

Be aware my mat is a big one, 8' x 8', just great for a family of four. Feel free to scale up or down for your needs.

Stuff you gotta have:
4 yards of oilcloth, seen in Lime Green Gingham
A fat quarter of a fun fruity oilcloth pattern, appliques are from the Apples and Pears Oilcloth
Rotary cutter
Ruler or yard stick
Gypsy Gripper, an optional tool I can not live with out.
Thread


step 1. Cut cut out your appliques and take your four yards of oilcloth and cut it into two equal parts ( two, two yard pieces)


step 2. Pin your appliques in the correct corners. You are doing this first so don't have to wrangle that big mat under the machine like it did! Trust me do it now while it is in pieces!


step 3. Sew your appliques into place.

Tip! When turning sharp corners leave your needle in the down, lift pressure foot and then turn.

step 4. Sew your two sides together making a large 8 foot square. Sew right sides together using a 1/2 SA. I suggest you place your machine on the largest table you have, this is a lot of oilcloth, a large table will help support the bulk and keep you happy.


step 5. Lay oilcloth face up roll both sides of the up so you can easily get to your seam. Now finger press your seam off to the left. There is no need to pin.


step 6. Back at the machine you are going to want to do an edge stitch off to the left. This is going to strengthen your seam and substitute not being able to iron. This will help that seam behave. As you stitch make sure both sides of the seam are off to the left.

Tip! I like to use the inside edge of the presser foot as a guide to keep my top stitch straight.


step 7. Fold you hem up one inch and sew one side, then do a faux mitered corner. Or better yet check out this tut for the real thing. I wish I had looked that up when I was sewing up the hem.

Note! Oilcloth does not fray so you could leave this edge raw or pink the edges. I hemmed the mat to help give it body and weight. Wind can ruin a picnic so I figure every bit helps.


step 8. Clean up. Oilcloth is very easy to clean, simply whip clean with a damp cloth. EllynAnne has a great tip for easy clean up at a picnic, she suggests that we eat on and extra tablecloth so when you are done you can wrap it all up and take it home. This leaves the picnic mat ready for relaxation time.


step 9. Storage. Keep the creases away by folding it in half and then rolling it up. Your local fabric shop should happily give you their empty cardboard rolls.

Picnic season is coming, Happy Spring!!!

Pantry Project #5, Chalk Cloth tags and labels

These simple Chalk Cloth tags and labels can be used all over the house, I need these for the pantry/laundry room to get that place organized once and for all.

Stuff you need:

Chalk Cloth Fat Quarter
Oilcloth Fat Quarter Four Pack or a Oilcloth Charm Pack
scissors
spool of ribbon
ink pin and white pencil
vase or template for oval shape
Fray Check


step 1. Find a shape, you could use a template if you have on but I always use what I have laying around. While I was looking around the house for an oval shape and I got lucky! What is so great about it is that the top is bigger than the bottom. How perfect is that? (Thanks Janet, your gifts keep giving!)



Don't have that kind of luck? No problem, find your shape and increase or decrease it on the printer. Easy-peasy!










step 2. Cut your large ovals out of oilcloth and your small ovals out of the chalk cloth.






step 3. Cut your ribbon into 20" strips. Fold the ribbon in half and place it in the center of the tag and sandwich them in-between the two layers. Use cloths pins to pin the tag. Make sure your ribbon in a V shape, this will help you tie your label later. Don't forget to use some fray check on the ends of the ribbon to keep them tidy.


step 4. Set your needle to the left so you can edge stitch the chalk cloth on to the oilcloth. Slowly sew around the chalk cloth tag.


step 5. Make a few without the ties and you can hot glue them onto all sorts of things.


Oh, these are fun. You are going to love making them, they are so quick and easy. Leave me a comment tell me what you would use at set for. The first 10 people will receive a free scrap pack with enough oilcloth and chalk cloth to make a few.

Don't like the oval shape change it up with what ya got!

Oilcloth Trays Revisited, Pantry Project # 4

So it took me a few days, life at Modern June and Oilcloth Addict is b-u-s-y, but it did it. I made a few more of those great oilcloth trays. You remember those from a couple of weeks ago. The trays are getting a bit of bloggy buzz, thekitchn.com and craftzine.com have given us a shout out. And the basket lining made it on the the fantastic website Craft Gossip! Thanks for the shout outs and support!

So check out the latest color combo, I really like the look of the green, tan and browns! I lined one with the lime polka dots and the other with the walnut Faux Bois oilcloth. Maybe I will actually get some laundry done too, forget that, I would rather sew!

Pantry Project #3 Chalk Cloth Mason Jar

Here a fun and very easy project. I was at a big-box store the other day, I saw jars with chalk paint on them they were cute but costly. Once home it was time to get crafty! For the price of one store bought jar you would buy a fat quarter of chalk cloth, grab your stash of mason jars, add a bit of DYI action and you have yourself a whole set of customized jars.

Supply List:
fat quarter of chalk cloth
pencil
ruler
rotary cutter or pinking shears
hot glue gun
lots of great jars
chalk marker pen (optional)

1. Measure your jar and mark your chalk cloth

2. Use rotary cutter or pinking shears to cut a nice edge along your chalk cloth.

3. Starting in the back of your jar, hot glue one end on to the jar.

4. Wrap and glue one of chalk cloth strip into place.

These and many more are just waiting for a place in the pretty new pantry.