She Upcycles Placemats Into Stunning Home Decor With A Clever Flip

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When browsing kitchen linens, some people might just see placemats, but others see potential. Sure, the textile is intended for dining purposes, but that doesn't mean it's limited to the kitchen. Jenna of Lantern Lane Designs spotted a rustic floral placemat while shopping and transformed it into a country-style throw pillow that elevated her room. And a perk of the plush project is that it comes together quickly and seamlessly (pun intended) in a few steps. 

Similar to other crafty undertakings documented on social media, this unconventional way of doing things shows how versatile a piece can be when you think outside the box. Jenna's placemat-to-pillow transformation is a fun craft that opens up possibilities and cuts down on costs. Considering a throw pillow can cost around $20 to $30, possibly more depending on the size and retailer, you're saving a considerable amount by pursuing the easy project. To get started, find a placemat in a fun pattern, grab a seam ripper, stuffing such as Poly-fil Original Fiber Fill, and an adhesive like Fitdyhe Permanent Fabric Glue.

Once you've found the perfect placemat for your project, it's time to get crafting. Start by taking your seam ripper to make a small opening about a quarter of the way down the fabric. Add the appropriate amount of poly-fill without overstuffing the material before gluing the fabric back together. If you're planning to go the more intricate route like other social media DIYers, close up the seams with a sewing machine or a needle and thread. 

If you use a placemat without accents or a pattern, add other elements to prevent the pillow from being a boring. Sew on tassels, craft ribbon, or decorative patches to give it dimension and texture. If you want to get a little more inventive and involved, sew two placemats together to take advantage of different patterns on one piece. You could even grab a set of coordinating placemats and make a whole set of throw pillows. Transforming placemats with festive prints or patterns is also a good way to create seasonal pillows. This idea isn't just ideal for living areas either. Look for metallic placemats to make gleaming accents in a glam bedroom or ones with kid-friendly prints to create accent pillows for the nursery.