DIY Network

Have a Funky Christmas: Retro Yule-Log TV Placemats Even a cold supper will seem warm when it's served on these hip retro placemats. From "Uncommon Threads" episode DUCT-165

Uncommon Threads host Allison Whitlock offers her special holiday design: whimsical placemats designed to look like retro TV sets. Just the thing for that turkey-and-dressing TV dinner!

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Retro Yule-Log TV Placemat

Materials (enough for six placemats):

2 packets of Avery Personal Creations iron-on printable fabric
digital image of a burning fireplace
1 yd. chocolate brown corduroy
1 yd. coordinating striped or festive print fabric for lining
1 sheet brown felt
1 sheet orange felt
1/2 yd. double-sided fusible web
Sulky rayon thread in orange
brown thread
6 large dark brown leather buttons
36 small orange buttons
DMC 6-strand embroidery thread in dark brown.

1. Cut out six of each of the following: 18"x13" rectangles of both fabrics (round the corners with a circle template); six additional lining pieces, 11"x9-1/2"; six 2-1/2"-diameter circles of orange felt; and two triangular legs for the TV out of lining fabric and brown felt.

2. Using a computer and an inkjet printer, print out six fireplace images onto printable fabric. The final image should measure 8"x10", with rounded corners.

3. Iron the fireplace image to 11"x9-1/2" lining piece. Machine-topstitch with orange thread. This is the TV screen.

4. Iron double-sided fusible web to back of TV screen; then iron that to the right side of corduroy. Machine-satin-stitch around the edge, using orange thread.

5. Blanket-stitch an orange felt circle to front of TV, using two strands of DMC chocolate brown floss. Sew a leather button to the center. This is a dial.

6. Add other buttons and embellishments to create more buttons and dials.

7. With right sides together sew one lining piece and one felt piece of the TV set legs. Remember to leave the top edge open so you can turn them right side out.

Figure A

8. Pin and sew the legs to front of TV with right sides together (figure A). The striped side of the legs should face the front.

9. With right sides together, sew the final lining piece to the TV set. Leave a 6" opening to turn the placemat right side out.

10. Press with a hot dry iron; then topstitch around the perimeter of the placemat.

Repeat for all six placemats.