Check out this cool idea for making a woven denim placemat. The cozy denim fabric is perfect for decorating your table any time of year, and the weaving process is surprisingly therapeutic. It is so easy to make and it uses recycled materials, so this craft won't cost much to make.

Woven Denim Placemat

Add a bit of cozy and durable fun to your dining table with these easy-to-make placemats! This woven denim placemat is a simple-to-make craft that adds a touch of personality to the table. This isn't something you are going to find at most stores, making it a true conversation piece.

The denim placemat is sturdy and the material is easy to work with. And once you get the hang of it, this project is perfect for making gifts for all your friends and family. Imagine making a few sets of these to gift to your friends and family, for just $1 to $2 per set!

Decorate your table with these or even this adorable jute placemat idea. Of course, you might also like the fall leaf placemats for Thanksgiving time instead.

How Large Are Placemats?

With this placemat, you can make it any size that you like. Typically, placemats that are made for dinner plates are about 14" in diameter. So the average measurements of placemats are 14" by 20".

For this placemat, since it is round, I made it about 12" wide. It could be made larger or smaller, just adjust it to suit your preferences. If you want to make a larger placemat, you can easily make this craft bigger. Just keep in mind that the larger the placemat, the more denim fabric you will need.

round denim placemat on gray table with cactus plant

Can I Wash This Placemat?

Who would want a placemat that can not be washed? I'd be afraid to use it. You can wash the woven denim placemat easily with any other laundry that you have. I would recommend washing it inside of a washing bag, similar to what you would use to wash delicates like bras. The denim itself can easily hold up to a strong wash, but because of the woven design, I would want to be a bit gentle with them. Especially if using just a regular yarn to hold it together.

skillet of pasta on top of denim placemat on table

Should I Seal The Fabric On This Denim Placemat?

You could if you wanted to. I have not sealed mine and they are holding up just fine. If you are going to use this placemat for hot food, then I would recommend sealing the fabric. You can use a clear sealer like spray sealer, Mod Podge, or even hairspray. Just be sure to test it in an inconspicuous spot first. You will also need to reseal, especially if you are using something like hairspray, but with all sealers, after each wash.

Since denim is so durable, you really don't have to worry about sealing it like you might other materials. So, it works wonderfully for this as it is easy to make and easy to launder.

woman in white shirt and jeans holding denim placemat

How Else Can I Customize My Placemats?

Want something a bit more unique than these? Below are some great ideas for customizing your placemats to suit your style, needs, or the season or holiday.

Use different colors or washes of denim.
Mix and match the weaving with denim and durable fabric or burlap for a striped effect. You could even interweave colorful ribbons or bandanas between the denim.
Add buttons, beads, sequins, or rhinestones around the edges. I don't recommend adding these to the top as they will scrape against plates.
Line the bottoms with cotton batting and a layer of denim to create more cushion on them for keeping plates and bowls from breaking.

close up image of old blue jean placemat

Supplies Needed

folded blue jeans on cardboard with yarn and scissors

How to Make a Denim Placemat

Begin by measuring the size of the placemat onto a piece of cardboard. I used a wreath form, then after I traced that circle, I went around the edge and traced around it another 1" wider.

foam wreath form on top of cardboard on white table

Now, cut the circle out at the widest marks.

Use a ruler to measure and divide the circle into 4 equal sections, drawing a line across each.

Now, you will go around the edge of the circle and make a small mark every 1". Then, use scissors to cut at each of these marks, making a cut only ¼" deep onto the circle.

blue scissors cutting the edge of a cardboard circle

Once you have made these cuts, you will tie the gray yarn around the center of the circle, so that it slips into the notch you made on both sides.

Cut off the end excess, then using the other end, the one still attached to the yarn ball, and begin weaving it in and out of these slips, around the outside so that it goes around and crosses over each other and around the entire circle.

gray yarn being wrapped around cardboard circle

Continue this until each slot on the edge has had a bit of yarn crossed through it. Tie the yarn in the center and cut it off.

Now, cut the legs on blue jeans, along the seam, to separate them, and cut it off the pants so you have one wide piece of denim.

Now, measure every ¼" to ¾" and cut strips the length of the denim from this. Do this for the entire leg, and then set them aside.

Once you have the strips, thread the sewing thread and needle through one end of a strip of denim. Then sew that strip of denim to and around the very center bit of yarn on the yarn-covered circle.

hand sewing denim strip onto yarn on cardboard

Now, begin weaving this strip of denim in and out, over and under, in a tight circle, pressing it against itself as you go around the circle.

At the end of that strip, sew a second strip of denim to it, (alternate colors if desired) then continue doing the same thing, weaving the denim in and out until you are happy with the width. I stopped about 1 ½" from the edge of the cardboard.

hand sewing two denim strips together while weaving under yarn

Once you reach the end, use the needle and thread to sew this edge piece back onto itself and the denim row just beside it. This will secure it together nicely.

hand tying gray yarn over edges of denim strips placemat

Now, Go all around the edges and snip the yarn, then tie it to secure just against the edge of the placemat.

hand tying gray yarn on edge of cardboard circle of denim

Once all have been tied, lift the placemat off the cardboard round and now you have a placemat. Continue to make one for every place setting at your table.

denim placemat on table with white flowers and bowl of cereal

More Easy Denim Craft Ideas

Turn old torn-up or too-small blue jeans into adorable additions to your home in no time with these ideas. Whether you want decor or a fashion piece, below you will find some great ideas that easily fit into your crafting budget. Make sure that you bookmark these, print out the tutorials, or pin them to Pinterest.

Yield: 1

Easy Woven Denim Placemat Tutorial

Make an adorable woven denim placemat that is the perfect farmhouse-inspired addition to your home decor and family table!

Active Time 1 hour

Total Time 1 hour

Difficulty Easy

Estimated Cost $1

Materials

Tools

Instructions

Use a wreath form to trace a circle onto the scrap cardboard, then trace a second circle around it, just about ¼" wider.
Then cut out the circle around the widest marks.
Now, use a ruler to measure and draw a line through the center of the circle, dividing it into 4 equal sections.
Now, go around the edges of the circle and marker every 1".
Using scissors, cut at the 1" marks, just to the interior line on the cardboard.
Now, on the center slit, slide the gray yarn through it and wrap it around the circle, bringing it to the center and tying.
Cut off the end excess, then using the other end, the one still attached to the yarn ball, and begin weaving it in and out of these slips, around the outside so that it goes around and crosses over each other and around the entire circle.
Continue this until each slot on the edge has had a bit of yarn crossed through it. Tie the yarn in the center and cut it off.
Now, cut the legs on blue jeans, along the seam, to separate them, and cut it off the pants so you have one wide piece of denim.
Now, measure every ¼" to ¾" and cut strips the length of the denim from this. Do this for the entire leg, and then set them aside.
Once you have the strips, thread the sewing thread and needle through one end of a strip of denim.
Then sew that strip of denim to and around the very center bit of yarn on the yarn-covered circle.
Now, begin weaving this strip of denim in and out, over and under, in a tight circle, pressing it against itself as you go around the circle.
At the end of that strip, sew a second strip of denim to it, (alternate colors if desired) then continue doing the same thing, weaving the denim in and out until you are happy with the width. I stopped about 1 ½" from the edge of the cardboard.
Once at the end, use the needle and thread to sew this edge piece back onto itself and the denim row just beside it. This will secure it together nicely.
Now, Go all around the edges and snip the yarn, then tie it to secure just against the edge of the placemat.
Once all have been tied, lift the placemat off the cardboard round and now you have a placemat. Continue to make one for every place setting at your table.