How To Make a Decorative Table Mat Using Cord

5 Materials
$15
4 Hours
Easy

Celebrate spring or any time of the year by creating fun craft projects while at the same time adding beauty to your surroundings! One way is to make an adorable table mat! It's a delightful way to provide a decorative accent feature that can dress up almost any area of your home - including the dining room, kitchen and living areas. And it's a great decorative accent piece that can be used anywhere, on any type of table, including buffets, side tables, end tables, sofa tables, coffee tables and of course dining tables, too. Check how easy it is to make a lovely decoupage table mat:


Instructions:

Let's begin - to stop the 3-ply cord from coming apart, add a little fabric glue to the end pressing it together and let dry. Next, add a dab of fabric glue on the center of the pad and lay the tip of the cord on top. Begin folding the cord together, adding fabric glue around the sides of the cord and on top of the pad to keep the cords and shape secure.


You can see the mat beginning to take shape!

Continue adding fabric glue around the bottom and sides of the cord to hold the shape together and to the pad.

Once you've reached the size you want (19"), cut the cord at an angle and using more fabric glue, blend in the end to the side of the mat.


Then; cut off the excess pad around the mat cutting as close to the made edge as possible.

To make decorative cord trim for the mat, cut two 60" strips of cord. Secure ends with fabric glue and let dry, as before. Begin coiling the cord, applying fabric glue to secure and placing cord on parchment paper to continue coiling.


Continue coiling cord into a circle and applying fabric glue until satisfied with size of the circle.

Then make a decorative curve with the cord and continue coiling cord for a second circle. Use the first coil as a pattern for the size of the second coiled circle.

Let dry and repeat for making a second decorative set - matching the size.

Glue decorative coils onto the table mat matching placement on opposite sides.

To decorate the table mat with napkins, cut out napkin designs . . .

and separate the plain layers of the napkin from the printed side.

Then lay out a design plan around the table mat.

Add a layer of decoupage to the cording - just enough for the size of the napkin design.

Lay the napkin down on top of the decoupage, smoothing out the napkin. Use clear plastic to smooth down the napkin (as long as you haven't added more Mod Podge to the top of the napkin. If you have, the napkin might come up when removing the plastic) Otherwise, just use the brush to lightly smooth the napkin down along the ridges of the cord. 

Continue adding Mod Podge to the cord and applying the cutout napkin designs. Smoothing the napkin designs out as you add each design section  using the paint brush to high-light the shape of the cording until the table mat is covered with the napkin design.

Once dry, seal entire table mat with Mod Podge.

Resources for this project:
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Gail@Purple Hues and Me
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Frequently asked questions
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  3 questions
  • Beth Booth Beth Booth on Apr 16, 2021

    Why didn’t you say what the pad was at the start of the instructions?

  • Mary Ann Goldberg Mary Ann Goldberg on Apr 20, 2021

    Will this hold up to heat if used as a trivet? Adorable!

  • Polly Polly on Jul 13, 2023

    How many can u make from 100 ft for 19inch placemats

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3 of 35 comments
  • Betty Betty on Apr 29, 2021

    Gail, you always have the best projects! (Plus we share the love of purple.) This projects is so doable and versatile that I may make it more than once. I can see lining a serving tray, or making absorbent coasters, or any number of other things. Thank you!

    • Gail@Purple Hues and Me Gail@Purple Hues and Me on Apr 29, 2021

      Thanks so much for your sweet comments, Betty! Those are all great ideas! I might have to use some of your ideas for making a few more!

  • Janet Trippe Janet Trippe on Jul 21, 2021

    I just love your creativity, Gail. Really beautiful project. I was surprised you decoupaged napkins to the mat as I thought they were painted on! I would love to try making this.

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