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DIY Painted Placemats with a Fork Motif

DIY painted placemats with a fork motif and neutral color scheme

I got the idea to use a fork to create DIY painted placemats from a magazine article. It showed how to make a table runner using a fork and paint. I love the unique, imperfect look the fork creates!

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This month, I’m joining my talented blogger friends for another Creative Craft Blog Hop, graciously hosted by Chloe from Celebrate and Decorate and Andrea from Design Morsels. If you are coming over from from Bluesky at Home, welcome!

DIY painted placemats with a fork motif and a colorful color scheme

I first made DIY painted placemats on a Facebook LIVE video over the summer. I used four colors of paint, and it has somewhat of a modern vibe. You may recognize the plate from last year’s Thanksgiving Tablescape and my recent Fall Patio Decor post.

brown floral plates atop DIY painted placemats with fork motifs

This time, I wanted something more neutral, so I decided to use just one shade of brown paint against an oatmeal background. I sewed the placemats out of leftover drop cloth, but plain ready made ones can be found on Amazon or at home stores.

I used regular chalk paint, but if you want something more permanent I suggest using fabric paint. You can still wash these placemats, but the design will fade after a few washings. I, however, like the worn faded look!

How to Make DIY Painted Placemats

neutral placemat, brown paint and a plastic fork

Supplies:

  • plain placemats (cotton or linen works best)
  • paint (I used Dixie Belle in Chocolate)
  • plastic fork
  • paper plate and paper towels
  • small detail paintbrush
dipping the back of a plastic fork into brown paint
off loading some brown paint on a fork onto a paper towel

Step 1.

Pour some paint onto a paper plate and dip the back of the fork into the paint. Off load some of the paint onto a paper towel.

using a fork as a stencil to make a design on a placemat
finger pressing fork tines with paint onto a placemat to create a stencil

Step 2.

Place the fork on the side of the placemat and press the tines onto the fabric.

filling in the bare spots of a fork stencil on a placemat with a detail paintbrush

Step 3.

Lift the fork and fill in any bare areas with a small paintbrush. It won’t be perfect, but that just adds to the charm!

creating a fork motif stencil on a placemat

Step 4.

The next fork print goes inside the perimeter of the placemat. I like how they look going in the same direction, but feel free to try a different pattern.

completing a fork motif stenciled placemat

Step 5.

Continue to add fork stencils around the entire perimeter of the placemat.

DIY painted placemats with fork motifs styled with brown transfer ware plates and a napkins

I couldn’t wait to style the placemat with my vintage Country Garden plate!

napkin ring with an acorn styled atop  brown transferware plates and DIY painted placemats

I hot glued an acorn to my napkin ring to give it a fall look. I definitely like the one color, neutral placemat better. What do you think?

If you’re looking for a spring or summer DIY placemat, check out this one I made out of faux leaves!

Thanks for stopping by today! The hop continues with my friend Lynne of My Family Thyme. If you haven’t already, be sure to check out all of the inspiring crafts my friends have created! The links to each blog are below.

Have a great day! 🙂

Rebecca


Celebrate & Decorate – Minnie Mouse Halloween Swag

Birdz of a Feather – Milk Can Decor

At Home Withe Jemma – Fresh Handmade Holiday Magnolia Wreath

Debbees Buzz – Thanksgiving Bread Cornucopia

B4 And Afters – White Pumpkin Centerpiece

The Painted Apron – Fall Signs and Spoon Faces

My Hubbard Home – Dollar Store Glitter Candles

Chas’ Crazy Creations – What To Do with Plastic Pumpkins

Purple Hues and Me – Shrinky Dinks Decor

Design Morsels – DIY Felt Ornaments

Home Is Where The Boat Is – DIY Thanksgiving Cone-ucopias

Decorate and More with Tip – Bohemian Tassel Christmas Tree Plaque

BlueSky At Home – Fun Thanksgiving DIY Wood Block Decoration

Zucchini Sisters – DIY Painted Placemats with a Fork Motif

My Family Thyme – Christmas Ornament Reverse Canvas

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30 Comments

  1. Rebecca, How did you ever think about using a fork to paint like that?! That is amazing, and looks so good, like custom…well, they are custom!!

  2. Rebecca, I’ve never seen this idea before. It is darling and so easy!! I love that by changing colors, it could be used for so many different seasons. Thanks for sharing. Pinned for future!!

  3. Oh goodness gracious such a fun way to create darling placemats! Love this project paint project so much.
    So fun to hop with you!
    Jemma

  4. Rebecca, I love this simple, but clever project to embellish a plain placemat. The fork design is something I can see appealing to my two adult sons — regardless of the season.

    1. Thanks Mary! I knew you’d love the plates…they’re one of my favorites. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to locate enough for a tablescape 😐

  5. What a fun and cute Fall craft, these mats are perfect for Thanksgiving!! Thanks Rebecca, they are adorable!

    1. Thanks Terrie! I love that the design can look either modern or farmhouse depending on the color choices and styling.

  6. Super cute! I love it when you get inspired by a photo and then yours turns out even better. Success. Thanks for joining.

  7. Pinned! Using the fork for your template was genius , Rebecca. I think this would work on drop cloth placemats and even napkins!

    1. Thanks Rachelle! I actually did use drop cloth placemats that I made myself. It doesn’t get more thrifty than that! And I agree, the fork stencils would look cute on napkins, too 🙂

  8. Wow Rebecca – I love how this looks. So easy, but big impact! And you’re right, the imperfection is charming too.

  9. Very creative! I have pinned it! My kids have made fireworks paintings using forks, and one has also use a fork to draw out the leaves of a palm tree. Forks are very useful!

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