Christmas gifts - need ideas - Dr Who fabric

Yeah, that's an idea. I've made placemats before and they either only come out for special occasions (my mother and my former MIL) or, for my dad's girlfriend, I made (white) placemats to match her newly remodeled kitchen cabinets. I came over and she was using them in one of the bedrooms to set the tube tv on so it wouldn't scuff the dresser. Took a lot of self control to not say anything.

Objectively, placemats are a good, easy, and useful idea. Subjectively, I'm meh to making placemats because of all that.

Those are super cute! Yes, if you have time, I would appreciate if you could write up the instructions. I won't be able to start on them until at least Nov, realistically after Thanksgiving, so no rush. But, yes, I would really appreciate that. 

Will do - thank you!

Ok, this is super easy.

You want two fabrics generally. I usually use a pattern on the outside, and a plain on the inside (you can use satin or something shiny inside too). 1/4 to 1/2 metre is usually plenty. I don't usually use fat quarters unless I'm doing more than 2 colours or I have 2 fat quarters of the same fabric. You'll see why shortly. You'll also need about 1 metre of a ribbon or nice rope for the drawstrings. If you have spare batting, about 3inches square is useful, but not absolutely necessary.

The pattern is basically circles. I usually use a dinner plate for my big circles, and a small dinner plate for my inner circles. But you could make them any size, as long as one is smaller than the first.

Cut 1 big circle out of outside fabric, cut 1 big circle of inside fabric. Cut small circles either 1 of each, or both the same (up to you). Put right sides together and sew leaving a hole that you can pull the fabric through (2 inches is usually plenty). I usually just do about 1/4" seam because its easy for me, but you can adjust as you need to.

Press the seams and notch them, then pull the fabric through the hole so its right side out and press again so that it is a nice proper flat circle. Stitch the hole closed on the small circle. If you aren't using batting (which I often don't) then also stitch the hole closed of the big circle. You can also stitch these closed by machine if you want.

Lay your big circle with the outside fabric down, so inside fabric facing up. Put the small circle on the big circle, making their centres line up. If you want to add batting to the bottom, push it in now and get it centred under your small circle. It only needs to be big enough to go under your base circle which you'll draw in the next step. Pin everything in place.

Then I usually use a cup to trace a circle on the small circle (make sure its centred). This will be your base. Take a ruler or other straight thing, and draw lines spoking out from your cup circle as seen in the diagram. Top stitch the base circle and the spokes. If you added batting, make sure you stitch closed your big circle.

Last thing is you need to create a channel for your draw string. I do this by sewing 5/8" - 1" down from the edge of the big circle. Then I follow that circle at 1/4" for the second part of the channel. On opposite sides of circle, on the OUTSIDE fabric of the bag, carefully cut out two tiny holes out of the outside fabric of the channel. These only need to be big enough to allow you get your drawstrings in.

Drawstrings are best done with two. Cut your metre in half and put one in the first hole and bring it out the SAME hole. Then thread the second drawstring in the second hole and out the SAME hole. Tie the ends of each together. When you pull, each loop brings its half in and it should look pretty.

I hope this makes sense. I can knock these out in about 2 hours, less if I'm not watching TV so they're pretty easy. I realise I don't have exact measurements, but that's because you can adjust these to what fabric you have and what size you want to be. The proportions are whats important. Other than that you can adjust them pretty easily.

Thanks Eliste for the directions. I think that makes sense... I'll do a test piece in a few weeks. You're the best!

Those aprons look adorable and I love the prints!