Deconstruct It
Remove the zipper from the bag by cutting along the seams so that you are left with flat pieces of plastic to work with.
Sew, Diego, Sew! (sew version)
Cut one piece of bag plastic and one oil cloth to the desired mat dimensions. I tend to make them whatever size seems appropriate for the artwork that’s being displayed in it.
Place the plastic over the patterned side of the oil cloth. To avoid holes, use paper clips instead of sewing pins to hold the two pieces together. Using a 5/8-inch seam allowance, sew around three sides of the mat. Place your child’s artwork (enlarged photographs work great, too) inside the pocket you’ve just created and sew the last side closed.
Use pinking shears to trim the edges of each side down to a quarter-inch thick. This step is optional, but it really does add a finished look to the edges. You can also sew fringe or trimming on to the edges of the mat for extra decorative goodness.
Glue’s Clues (no-sew version)
Cut out two 11” x 17” pieces of plastic. Glue around the edge of one piece of plastic, layer on your child’s artwork and then place the second piece of plastic on top. The glue will show through, but don’t worry, the next step will hide it.
Create cutouts from old wrapping paper. I used leftover robot paper from the holidays. The number of cutouts you’ll need to frame your mat will vary depending on their individual size and shape.
Glue the cutouts around the perimeter of the mat. Using the sponge brush, apply a thin layer of Modge Podge over the entire front of the mat, using your fingers to smooth cutouts when necessary. Let it dry overnight before using. |
I don’t know about you, but it kills me every time I buy a home décor item that comes in a sturdy plastic zippy bag, because the bag ultimately goes to waste. I always save them for what I promise myself will be “the perfect reuse”: travel bags for delicates, toy organizers or protectors for future craft projects. Alas, however, my recycle road is often paved with only good intentions. More often than not, these bags end up crumpled at the bottom of a drawer, which ultimately leads to their trash-bound demise. But not this time, my crafty compadres, because these quickie, cute placemats guarantee to keep both our tables and our consciences clean.
