How to Sew Placemats - Learn to Sew Series

[@MelanieHam]

Our first tutorial of the learn to sew series!! Let's get sewing!

[@gardengirl694]

Melanie Ham I’ve heard that those ironing mats, smell. Can you tell me the name of yours or do you have a link? Thank you!

[@brittr8052]

Where is the list you mentioned?

[@maryanncenteno7155]

What is that fabfic you use in between the top quilt and the backing

[@rosemarieallen992]

Hi where did you get that grey fabric?

[@alsaceramenaden6607]

Thank you for keeping her vlogs. So helpful for us beginners. May her beautiful soul rest in peace.

[@TheMaggiemay77]

I think of Melanie often....we aren't forgetting you, beautiful lady!

[@jennifernyb9145]

Wow, really miss Melanie! She had a lot of things to teach us. She gave me the confidence to try my first quilt and for that I am indeed in debt. God Bless you, Melanie. 😢

[@lisabauder9962]

I did it! I made them! I'm so proud of myself. I was incredibly nervous about the top stitch as I struggle with stitching straight and I had some minor issues with the fabric bunching up a bit (despite ironing it a few times) and I did have to cut out one of the placemats main fabric twice because I goofed and cut a 1/4" shorter, but, they turned better than I could have expected! I'm so happy! Just have to keep practicing. This was my first real project. Thank you so much for this video it was incredibly helpful, especially when you said "yours might not look exactly like mine and that's okay" - I kept saying that to myself over and over again.

[@l.baughman1445]

Yay!!! Congratulations 🎉 ❤

[@Adventures-with-Sisters]

I can’t believe her content is still showing up in my feed it makes me sad knowing she’s gone. Beautiful inside and out.

[@dccd673]

Same here. It’s a good thing the channel wasn’t taken down so others can continue to learn from her. Sad seeing commenters asking questions tho but hopefully the experienced ones are able to step in and help.

[@l.baughman1445]

Her legacy teaches on! It helps her kids, family, and all the new sewing students! ❤

[@cathiebenedum7198]

What are you saying? Has this wonderful teacher died? When?

[@Jen-CelticWarrior]

@@cathiebenedum7198, yes, sadly, Melanie died of cancer about a year ago. 😢 Such a loss for us here on earth. Her family is leaving up her videos, and that is such a gift that continues to give.

[@MommaK-33]

@@cathiebenedum7198yes. She passed away from Cancer in January 2022

[@JohnCampbellPhotography]

Thank you for this. Your videos are amazingly well done. I'm really impressed and thankful that you share this with people like myself who just want to get to know the basics and get the job done. Your teaching ability speaks volumes for your technical ability. My house has become a bit of a Santa's workshop since watching your videos. Who said this is a woman's thing right? I tell my macho friends all the time about how cool it is to sew, and it confuses the hell out of them. So funny, especially given that tailors were traditionally men back in the bad old days.

[@EmoryWOCN]

I'm so happy we still have your videos. I still cry when I watch them but it is bittersweet cry as I know you are an angel in heaven.

[@kimadams5880]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! I have wanted to learn to sew for many years but was never able to figure it out. My Grandma is an amazing seamstress but she is to frail now to help teach me anything. She tried but just couldn't get her hands to work well. You are such a wonderful teacher, because of you I am giving my daughter what I never got sewing lessons.

[@YenneY01]

My first time watching her. I really like how she gives clear instructions !

[@melindafisher1584]

I've sewn for 50 years, but I'm enjoying your tutorials as they are giving me ideas to help my granddaughter to learn to sew. Plus it's always fun to hear new tips! And bonus!....you are so easy to listen to. Loved your linen fabrics...so pretty.

[@lynnleipold2617]

Thanks!

[@adrainm9521]

Thank you! Your tutorial is the best I have seen. Clear and precise!

[@gerrygoyette5891]

I love you youtubes Melanie, they are helping me learn so much! Thanks!

[@efranco3598]

I could watch your videos all day! Thank you! 😊

[@maryjo9049]

Sadly, Melanie died January 12, 2022, following a battle with cancer.

[@l.baughman1445]

@@maryjo9049it’s so hard to lose the nice folks. So glad we still have these videos. ❤

[@jeanettecarr9355]

You are a wonderful teacher! Thank you.

[@maggie2244]

Fantastic tutorial and I really love your fabric choice! I have a tip to contribute, At 13:35 you can press with your iron, the seams open to make them easy to sharply fold, and the corners to end up sharp, when you flip them right side out. You can also use your iron at that stage, before to turn right side out, to create a iron marking for where you want, in your opening area, to fold exactly.. If that makes sense, I hope. Thanks again! I’m sharing this with my friends who want to start sewing.

[@lindavafidis2643]

Hi Melanie, this is the first time i have looked at you tube. (I’m not good with technology) your tutorial for zippered box is amazing and my husband and i have completed one each this morning which have both turned out amazing. Thank you so much. I have just watched your latest video and wish you so much love in your recovery. I am glad you look so fresh and well.

[@timekaburrows7831]

omg you have been a God send. I was taking a free seeing class at a community centre and the instructor was so rude and focused on one set of students so I stopped attending. My hubby knew how much I wanted to learn to sew so he got me a sewing machine and I have searched and searched you tube and found your page. Let me just say I am so much more comfortable with my machine and I have sewn and finished my first project(the placemats :) ). Thank you so much for this series.

[@TJTimberhurst]

Oh my. So missed. So adorable and instructive.

[@nikkicaldwell5767]

This tutorial is very easy to follow! You are a great teacher! I've made 4 placemats so far, and am working on 2 more. They are fun to make!

[@staciepayne3269]

This is an incredible tutorial! I'm a self-taught novice craft sewer and I learned so much for this tutorial. It inspires me to get my machine out and get sewing again! Love your channel!

[@juliefox77]

Fantastic instructions and fun project! I especially love that you showed “wrong” ways to do things and how to correct them. That is SUPER helpful because let’s face it... most people run into at least one whoopsie on every sewing project so it’s good to know what to watch for and how to fix it!

[@kyriakigratsia69]

Great the tip for the corner!! You are the only one ever said it! Thanks

[@margueritemiller6286]

I have sewed for years, but it's been a long time since I have made anything. I really enjoyed your lesson and will be working on making placemats for my daughter. Thank you for such a great tutorial.

[@carmensalome]

I was looking for an easy project to make with my 85 year old mom while she is visiting. This is perfect. Thank you for the inspiration.

[@KittenBowl1]

Hi Melanie, Angel in heaven. I don’t know why but your video I once watched and enjoyed 3+ years ago came into my feed once again. Probably since I was checking out how to make placemats videos. I cried over the news that you’re no longer with us January last year. You were fantastic at what you did. I learned to crochet more from your tutorials. I loved your sunflower 🌻 pattern. I made them into a cushion cover. Hope you are doing well in heaven. Thank you so much for sharing your talents though I wish you lived longer. Saw your blog post and found out what happened to you. It was very sudden. I felt very bad for your family. It was hard to watch your husband in sorrow when I watched your memorial video. Hope everyone has healed and is doing ok now.🕊️💐 Thank you Melanie.

[@denvergigi7329]

Great tutorial! I'm a beginner and really appreciate your beginner videos. I just finished my placemats today and love them. Thank you!

[@elizabethkoehl6457]

Thank you, thank you, thank you, so much for making a total beginner series of tutorials! I'm getting ready to turn on my very first machine and so far it looks like this is something that I can learn! 😊

[@l.baughman1445]

I love this series!! Thank you, Melanie! Rising in Glory ❤ new sewing students need to see these 🎉

[@lindaeilersen1864]

Nice job. Encouraging teacher

[@hunterd.p2718]

People will never forget...Thank you

[@mariaserpa-gauvin8405]

You are a very good teacher! I love the by step instructions that a new sewer will be able to follow. Thanks so much ❤️

[@joy849]

Appreciate that you gave lots of explanation for each step. Got lots of good tips. Thank you.

[@kimmoraes]

Your "Learn to Sew" series is perfect for what I need to do. Someone was giving bags of fabric away and I took them. Most of it is cotton so I can use it up with your tutorials. I even found a pair of jeans in one of the bags that fit me. It would be great if you had a tutorial about what to do with about a yard of knit fabric and how to upcycle a quilt that has been cut in half. Your placemat video finally taught me how to use the rotary mat, cut and clear plastic ruler. Thanks!

[@lucillenapolitano4546]

still returning for your tutorials. You're missed. thankful that your family has left your videos here!

[@2nywa2]

I made two placemats following your instructions today. They turned out really nice! Not perfectly rectangular hahaha but oh well :P I added little pockets for silverware too. Thank you for making sewing fun!

[@brendamoring5429]

Like the way you did the double stitching on those placemats. I didn't know how to move my needle over. Thanks for sharing. Have a blessed day.

[@mariannebecker5132]

I don’t have a fancy-fancy machine. My needle does not move. But my fabric does 🙂🙂

[@brendamoring5429]

@@mariannebecker5132 That's so funny. A girl can usually figure something out. Great job!

[@Swamplady2]

You are Sooo Missed Melanie..Sending Love to your Beautiful Family

[@JackieOdonnel]

I really appreciate this video. It's a perfect pace for beginner sewists. And those placemats are gorgeous! Thank you for sharing your talent.

[@sherroniopa6274]

I very much appreciate your clear explanations of steps to take. Thank you !

[@gracepatane9384]

Thank You for the great tutorial, Melanie! Your placemats look beautiful - I love the pink & grey combination!!

[@marygeorge9688]

Thank you for sharing this. I learned something new.

[@tamekai9552]

Omg this sooo helped me with my top stitch! Thank you!

[@faigyliebermann4749]

Thank you, really clear.

[@tracyk2404]

Love the detail in this video. Helps me as a beginner.

[@heatherconte5445]

I love her videos. She was an amazing teacher. Wish she was still here to give Tutorials. She truly was an angel

[@tracyk2404]

@@heatherconte5445 The day I watched this video was my first time seeing her videos. I didn’t know she had passed. The next day, the funeral video popped up on my suggested videos. I was immediately sad and hadn’t known her. It just felt like a good soul was taken too soon.

[@fidenciaesqueda852]

Hi. Just finished the first placemat. First placemat project and you were superb in the tutorial and written. Thank you for sharing.

[@shirleypritchard2175]

U such a wonderful teacher

[@liza6684]

Wow! So beautiful!

[@bobbigeehan7221]

I love your tutorials!!! You are so awesome and so thorough, without making me feel rushed! I sew right along with you on your projects! Thank you so much! I look forward to making ALL your projects, especially since Christmas is coming 💖🙏🏻

[@lmmartyn8846]

Great tutorial. Clear instructions thank you

[@nnennaanyasodo5189]

Thanks massively. Very clear explanation and teaching. I really enjoyed it. You are a great teacher❤️😁. Thanks for sharing

[@barbaramain3176]

Watching again! Made Christmas placemats in 2021. Now making Thanksgiving placemats. Love and miss you ❤️

[@ricarica_africa]

Simple and clear explanation! Thanks!

[@Madelena714]

Thank you for making this video! 💕 Excited to give this a try!

[@bonbonmon75]

I love ur videos. You kept my attention the entire time

[@Slivings911]

You are so sweet and encouraging. Great tutorial. 😊👍💕

[@ActuallyAlli]

Just the tutorial I needed! I was just thinking about how I wanted to DIY some placemats

[@louisemcclain6189]

Thanks Melanie Ham for this great tutorial

[@lauracampbell7644]

Very cute project. Thanks for sharing.

[@sharonsaturdsy875]

Super helpful!

[@jennythomas3208]

Great tutorial, thank you for your video

[@scrappingaudess]

Excellent tutorial! I'm so excited to show my highschooler ur video. She wants to make some placemats and this is perfect for her since she's a beginner, thanks so much!

[@baisleytabatha]

Ahhhh! I am so excited for everything about this entire series! Lol Thank you so much Melanie!

[@gjm5412]

Sadly this lovely young woman has passed away. We will always have her videos of which I am a big fan!

[@tanyapatnaude9267]

This was an amazing video. The placemats were nice to learn buts is was all the tips and sewing techniques that was great and my favorite. Trying a few small projects like pot holders, headbands and simple girl skirts to get use to my machine. One thing I have struggled with was even though I followed the seam allowance lines it was always farther over, Who knew to move the needle. lol Well you did and now I do. Also the turning on the corners and the how to's you showed was super helpful I now understand my projects and machine more. Thanks again for these . If you are looking for another video that would be helpful to new sewers I think one on the foots as far as what each are and what they are used for would be great as well as needle sizes:)

[@girlflorida67]

Nice! I love your teaching skills!

[@dianeashcraft7194]

I absolutely love this tutorial! I am going to start my first quilt class on Sept 8!!! I am so excited!!! Thank you for your videos!

[@madebycy4631]

Hi Melanie, thanks for your videos. I am new to sewing and I learn a lot from your tutorials, I think I'll be adding placemats on my christmas gift list.

[@lmmartyn8846]

Great instructions thank you

[@deidrapowell8762]

Great video

[@betteolivieri7644]

great video!

[@smallich79]

Can you share details on the fabric you’re using? It’s beautiful!

[@shelznailz7678]

Thanks very much for this very 'do-able' project for a sewing beginner such as myself!! I am a daughter of a well accomplished seamstress and avid quilter and you would think i could do this straight from the womb, but i have never picked up the skill or talent! I can crochet the socks im wearing (I wanted to say "socks off") but that wouldnt make sense!! I can knit with the best of them, im also quite handy dandy with cross stitching and embroidery!! Not to mention i love scrapbooking and origami and calligraphy....so I always ask myself "why cant you sew?" Well during this pandemic Ive taught myself to sew face coverings via watching various tutorials. I never did any pattern nut made some cardboard templates and cut out the fabric using scissors not that scary rotary cutter!! And I have gotten so good at sewing these masks that Ive actually made a whole bunch and donated them to area clinics and I also sell them to family and friends and their family and friends etc. They call me the "Mask Lady" around my town! some of my friends have commented on the progtression in my sewing skills from the first few rudimentary models to the newest sleek and fashionable and most of all comfortable ones that i could probably make in my sleep since I have probably made more than 2000 masks from April 2020 to present day!! But I would like to be able to use my sewing machine for more than just masks!! I just really need to start from scratch and learn terminology and functions of my machine etc and I am so pleased to have found your tutorial and Im actually awaiting the arrival of my interfacing and one of those cutting rulers, i am lucky to have alot of the quilting gadgets that my mom used when she quilted!! So i cant wait! My question is do you have to use interfacing if you are using two smooth 100% Cotton fabrics?

[@HRHDMKYT]

Great video, Melanie. I find that my 24" ruler tends to shift/wiggle as I am cutting (even though I use grip strips on the back, nothing seems to stop it from moving). So I use a 3lb (or 5lb) hand weight holding down the edge that's furthest from me before I cut. (This is Donna Jordan's tip. It works!)

[@PattymacMakes]

That is a great tip!! I'll have to try that myself! Thanks for sharing!

[@wandahaseley6439]

Can't wait to do this!!! Thx so much.

[@DiVaIve]

Great tutorial!! Thanks.

[@lmmartyn8846]

Thank you

[@swilson8194]

I did it the seam is not perfectly straight but that’s ok. I only have vision in one eye and it looks great. I used 2 different colors of thread so I can see if my tension was off. I have to to much or not enough fabric on each side’s lol but that’s ok I did it......Thank you for all your wonderful directions.

[@HOODSSWEETIE]

Thank you, wonderful tutorial.

[@MaLu-nz7fy]

Awesome! Love love your channel. Thank you so much! 😁🥰👍

[@MelanieHam]

Happy to share!

[@MaLu-nz7fy]

@@MelanieHam - Thank you kindly 👍

[@jafallica]

Great video Melanie. I make placemats often. They are so useful. I like your instructions. Great job.👍

[@kymi1]

Fabulous, thank you

[@tinyUbay81]

I was gonna go to the $ store and buy placemats, but I was like, wait a minute I have sewing machine and fabric, il just watch video of how to sew, lol. Thank you so muchfor sharing ❤

[@njbrennan14]

Thank you for this . I learned two very helpful things about stitch length and positioning the needle. I will keep watching.

[@cutflower36]

Hi do you have any videos on making a fitted square table cloth? Those placemats turned out good. I'm gonna try to make them today

[@metromeeithertmobile2930]

I bought the cheapest rotary cutter by Mr pen. The blade was dull and my cut was not straight I had to keep rolling it like a pizza cutter 😅 friskar is what I have in my Amazon cart now but I'm pleased with placemats. Thank you melanie for sharing. I learned how to crochet watching your tutorials 5 years ago

[@elsagonzalez363]

Muchas gracias . I truly like your video and style of teaching. You made me understand. I made placemats featuring Spiderman for my grandson and Frozen for granddaughter. Do you have a video on how to make hair scrunchies?

[@byronchandler5000]

What beautiful placemats, Melanie.

[@jafallica]

Byron Chandler smh

[@aidyouka]

She was magnificent, so sorry 😔 for her family and friends. Rip dear light 💝

[@e.acevedo1997]

Beautiful! You are great teacher. Can you show us how to make a top, with v neck. Thank you.

[@robynr]

I want to make something now. That pink fabric is really cute too.

[@desireehart3075]

Excellent tutorial, the tips and techniques I needed, packed into one concise video. Thank you! ;-)

[@KelliPaints]

This is great thank you! Do you have any advice for sewing with burlap? Thanks 😊 hope all is well!

[@annalocke5493]

Love it.... Maybe down the rd you can teach how to make chair pads😊

[@baniobodo6408]

Thank you for this great tutorial. Can’t wait to make mine

[@pattikasel]

I enjoy your videos so very much! I love these place mats. Do you wash the interfacing before ironing it on? Thank you!

[@sudhamurugesan7532]

Loved it

[@dianesweeney6602]

Thank you, I know how to sew but nice to get my skills sharpened.

[@Adventures-with-Sisters]

Happy beautiful and so alive 2 years ago I still can’t believe it