How to Make Placemats by Weaving Paper Strips

Co-authored by Lois Wade

Last Updated: April 23, 2024

This is an easy craft project that can be done with younger children. It's also a fun way to prepare for any holiday meal because you can choose the colors based on the occasion.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Basic Placemat

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To get yourself started, you may want to visit a craft store. You can weave placemats out of ribbons, construction paper, heavier types of paper, and incorporate decorative materials like glitter, sequins, the sky is the limit. When you are done collecting supplies, be sure you have at least the basics - scissors, construction paper, glue, ruler, and laminating sheets if you want to preserve your placemats.
of construction paper (your choice of colors). Start by cutting long strips in your chosen colors. For this tutorial, it is recommended that you cut 9 strips that are 12 inches in length. (Use the ruler.)

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Because you have 9 strips that are 1 inch wide, each strip in this next batch needs to be 9 inches long to create rectangle.
4
horizontally and weave the short strips vertically.
- Glue or tape the ends of horizontal strips to one of the vertical strips, alternating top and bottom attachments.
- Weave the remaining vertical strips, securing their ends to the top and bottom horizontal strips.
Alternately, you can cut the strips a bit long to start with, and leave the ends sticking out a bit, on purpose.
You can cover this project with clear contact paper to protect it for longer use, whether or not you mat it.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Fancy Placemat

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Add glitter, stickers, drawings, or cut outs from magazines to create a collage.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Create Your Own Chessboard

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To create a chess board, choose two colors (light and dark choices are suggested for contrast) of construction paper or heavier material like felt or cardboard.

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What other patterns can I weave?

Craftsmart

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You can make diamond shapes and triangles. A pattern featuring curved shapes can be difficult, because you are essentially working with pixel-like squares. You can also try using strips that are zig-zags.

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When I weave a shape, the strips come out. What do I do?

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Try using paper clips on the ends to temporarily stabilize the strips, or a small dot of glue.

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What else can I weave paper strips into?

Community Answer

You can make carpet for a dollhouse.

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Tips

A good thing to do to make this placemat last longer (as an alternative to contact paper) is to laminate it. This will protect it for a very long time and keep if from water damage, etc. A downside of this may be that the placemat would become slightly slippery.

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Tape the strips temporarily while the glue dries.

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This placemat can also double as a checkerboard!

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Warnings

Scissors are edged tools. They should not be handled like a toy, but are completely safe for people who are not abusing them.

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Things You'll Need

Construction Paper
Scissors
Glue
Ruler

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How to Make Placemats by Weaving Paper Strips

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Basic Placemat

Fancy Placemat

Create Your Own Chessboard

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