How to Set the Table With Homemade Place Mats

Make the Place Mats

1). Cut a 13-by-18 inch piece from the burlap cloth (or substitute cloth in other colors or textures that you like).
2). Measure 1/2 inch in from the side and mark each corner with a straight pin. Insert additional straight pins to mark 1/2 inch in at the sides, top and bottom of the piece of burlap cloth.
3). Sew a straight line with a running stitch, a zigzag or other decorative stitch to create a rectangle that is 1/2 inch in from all four sides of the cloth with a sewing machine. Use matching or contrasting thread.
4). Ravel the four edges of the homemade burlap place mat by pulling threads from the cloth weave. The firm lines of stitching will prevent raveling inside of the rectangle.

1). Set the homemade place mats on the table. Center the dinner plate or soup bowl on the mat.
2). Place the dessert fork to the left of the plate or bowl. Add a dinner fork and salad fork moving outward from the plate. The first fork that you will use during the meal is the outermost utensil. Set a dinner napkin under the forks or across the plate.
3). Set the dinner knife, blade inward, next to the right-hand side of the plate or bowl. Place the teaspoon next to the knife with a soup spoon next to it.
4). Set a drinking glass or water goblet slightly to the left of the tip of the knife blade, above the right top side of the plate or bowl.
5). Place a bread and butter plate directly over the napkin and forks. Lay a butter knife across the plate with the handle pointed toward the drinking glass.