Ballard Designs

Fall Craft Ideas: Copper And Gold Swirl Placemats

These brilliant copper and gold swirl placemats are perfect for any Fall table place setting and are very inexpensive and simple to make. Create a table set to share for your next dinner party or Thanksgiving affair, or give a set as a gift.

For this project, you will need:

- Canvas cloth

- Ruler

- Scissors designed for fabric

- Straight pins

- Iron and ironing board

- Sewing machine

- Gold colored thread

- Artist's paintbrush

- Delta Ceram Coat Acrylic Paint in Metallic Kim Gold

- Delta Ceram Coat Acrylic Paint in Metallic Copper

- Delta Ceram Coat Textile Medium

- Popsicle stick

- Paper Plate

Measure and mark a piece of canvas that is sixteen inches by twenty two inches. Cut out the canvas using fabric scissors. Repeat this process for as many placemats as you wish to create.

Measure a one inch border around each canvas rectangle piece. Fold each border over and pin in place with straight pins. Using a warm iron, press the fabric down to secure a sharp folded edge. (Be careful to not use to high of an iron setting.) With a sewing machine and gold colored thread, stitch one inch in on the front of the placemat to secure the edges in place. Remove the pins from each of the placemats and trim away any excess thread.

Apply a half dollar amount of Delta Ceram Coat Acrylic Paint in Metallic Kim Gold onto a paper plate. Mix with equal parts Delta Ceram Coat Textile Medium using the popsicle stick to stir. Mix completely. Repeat this process on another place on the paper plate using Delta Ceram Coat Acrylic Paint in Metallic Copper.

Use the artist's paintbrush to add "dashed swirl" designs to the outside border of each placemat. (Hint: This should look like a "S" shape, with each dash being only a quarter of an inch long.) When painting, alternate between the gold and copper shades on each dash. Allow each placemat to dry twenty four to forty eight hours before using.

HINT: Thanks to the use of textile medium, your new creation should withstand several washings in the washing machine without paint peeling. Always air dry your placemat creation.

TIP: Consider adding wording to the center of the placemat. Fancy script stencils are available at most craft or scrapbook stores. Add words such as "Giving Thanks" or "Autumn" for a truly seasonal touch.