Project: Linen placemats

These classic linen placemats are not only interesting to look at, but a whole set can comprise a botanical study series. Look for a collection of old drawings or images for variety -- a set of insects could change the theme of the party. With the prints transferred onto linen with an iron, these placemats will withstand washing and hold up for years with a little extra care. Take care in only ironing the back side of the placemat, as the heat will melt the artwork otherwise.

Materials
Linen placemats
Black-and-white botanical prints (found in clip-art books)
Fabric transfer paper for ink jet printer (available in craft stores)
Scissors
Iron

Directions
1 Make or buy linen placemats, around 14" by 20" (36 x 51 cm).

2  Scan some botanical prints that you like and size them in a photoediting program to be about 10" (25.4 cm) tall. If the images contain words, reverse the image (the transfer will read the right way once it’s ironed on). Print the images onto transfer paper made for ironing onto fabric. You can also take your images to a copy shop and have them made into transfers there.

3 Using sharp scissors, carefully cut out the transfers very close to the edge of the image. The transfer paper will change the look of the fabric slightly, so it’s best to cut away as much as possible.

4 Iron the transfers onto your placemats, following the directions on the transfer paper package.

Excerpted from French General: Handmade Soirees: Simple Projects for Special Occasions by Kaari Meng. Copyright 2009 by Chronicle Books. Excerpted with permission by Chronicle Books. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

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