Polka Dot Placemats

Create your own designer dot fabric customized to your colour scheme. All you need are felt pads, a large cork, canvas drop cloth, and Beauti-Tone paint. It's so easy!

What You'll Need

• household iron 3840-242
• paper plates 6460-439
• rollers and tray 1656-211
• canvas drop cloth
• felt pads - 1" 2346-191; 2" 2346-195
• large cork
• Speed-Sew® fabric glue 2010-433
• plastic drop sheet 1643-127
• tissue paper 5650-522
• Beauti-Tone Signature Series exterior semi-gloss in a clear base (not tinted)
• Beauti-Tone latex paint (tinted):
  • Evermore D38-1-0557-3, Chocolate brown 1835-278, Weaver's tool D3-3-0177-4, Maple pecan D3-6-0174-0

Here's How

• Cut canvas into 20" x 13" rectangles.
• Using an iron, press a 1/2" hem on all edges.
• Glue hem in place with Speed Sew glue.
• Cut a piece of tissue the same size as finished placemats.
• Plan your dot pattern on the tissue, making registration marks on each circle with a small pencil hole. (photo 1)
• Lay the tissue over a placemat, and with a pencil, transfer the registration marks onto the canvas.
• Peel the paper off the felt pad to reveal the adhesive. Stick the felt pad to the cork.
• Pour a small amount of paint on a paper plate and coat the felt pad with that colour.
• Position the felt pad on the canvas, using the registration marks as your guide. Press evenly all around the pad to ensure a clean print. Continue with this colour to complete the pattern.
• Use a new felt pad for the next paint colour. Continue this process until the pattern is complete.
• Allow the paint to dry thoroughly.
• Iron the placemats flat using a damp cloth on the backsides.
• Lay the placemats right side up on a drop sheet. With untinted semi-gloss paint, coat the entire surface of each placemat. It will appear milky white but will dry clear. Allow paint to dry thoroughly.
• Apply 3 more coats, allowing paint to dry thoroughly between each coat. This process offers a protective acrylic coating that is stain resistant and easy to wipe clean. (photo 6)

Other options:
Dot patterns can be random, eliminating the need for registration marks.

All the dots can be one paint colour.

Use a variety of felt pad sizes for different size dots.

Create a cheerful and chic wall using this same technique.

For custom outdoor linens simply purchase cotton or polyester fabric (non stretch). Cut to size, hem with Speed Sew glue, and apply 4 coats of untinted semi-gloss paint.