Chalkboard Fabric Placemats for Kids

By now, you've probably seen this chalkboard fabric popping up in all the fabric shops.  After letting my grandkids draw on a piece that I taped down to my desk over the holidays...(click here for that post) I realized just how much they enjoyed this stuff.  So I decided to make them each a special placemat.

First, I machine stitched the outline of a place setting on the chalkboard fabric using white thread, and this stuff stitches like a dream!  I had no problems at all.  And they have the added bonus of helping the kids learn how to set the table!

Then I made a patchwork backing using some charm squares in my stash, then quilted it to a piece of cotton batting.  Bright colors for Grayson...

 And lots of pink for Rory.

Then I basted the chalkboard fabric to the quilted backing to secure the layers, and added the binding around the edges.  Super fast and easy!  Now they can draw while they're waiting for their dinner.  They can even roll them up and take them to a restaurant to help keep them occupied during the sometimes long wait for their food.

There weren't very many charm squares in the packs I used, so I made them all up into four-patches, then used whatever I needed for each large placemat.  I had two blocks left from Grayson's, so I made a double-sided mini potholder for his play kitchen (shown in the top picture).  There were four blocks left from Rory's, so I added some extra strips, and used some scraps of the chalkboard fabric to make a pair of doll-sized placemats for her play kitchen table (about 6" x 8").  Let the tea parties begin!

Cheers!

Tasting Table Tuesday, chalkboard fabric

I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving Holiday!  We traveled on Thursday to have dinner with my husband's family, but had our kids, their spouses, and the grandchildren all here at one time or another for the rest of the weekend.  It was so great!  I've been so excited, waiting to see the two little ones play together, and it was even better when it snowed.  They spent an afternoon sledding in our backyard and had the best time.

Have you heard of the new Chalkboard Fabric?  A dear friend of mine thought I should have some for the grandkids, so she gave me a yard of it to play with.  I cut it in half, and used wide blue painters tape to secure it to the IKEA work table in my office.  No sewing involved!  I pulled a chair up to each side of the table and gave them a box of chalk.  It kept them busy for hours!

After they all went home, I just removed the tape, wiped it down with a damp sponge, and rolled it up to store in the closet till next time.  So easy!  Lots of shops sell it, but this came from Nancy's Notions.

Click here to see more.

Now I just need to get over the cold the kids left me with...  But it was worth it - I wouldn't have traded the weekend for anything - cold or no cold...

Cheers!