Get crafty with vinyl placemats

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Vinyl has many great attributes making it an excellent material for DIY projects. It is flexible, durable, holds shape well and is inexpensive. You can purchase sheets of vinyl to craft with or you can recycle your own vinyl products.

When I think of this material, my first thought is of vinyl placemats. They come in an unlimited amount shapes, sizes and designs. Additionally they are inexpensive and extremely convenient. Because they are cheap, I often buy fun designs and colors but retire them way before their expiration date. Instead of throwing them away or shoving them in the back of your kitchen cabinets, make a fun DIY craft with them!

Unlike fabric placemats, vinyl can be easily cut with instant clean edges. Also, this material can still be easily sewn making it perfect for all sorts of crafts:

• My first recommendation is to turn your placemat into a fun tote bag! It’s very simple. Turn your vinyl placemat horizontally, right side up, then fold in half (as you would close a book). Use pins to hold in place and sew both edges leaving the top open. Then turn inside out and attach handles which could be ribbon, rope, or fabric. Get creative!
• Coasters are another easy, fun craft. Just cut circles out of your recycled vinyl placemat. Since vinyl is waterproof they already serve the purpose of a cup holder. If you want sturdy coasters you can cut equivalently sized circles out of cardboard or wood and glue to the bottom.
• Vinyl can also be used as cushions for baseball games or sitting out in the grass. It is the perfect material because it’s relatively weather-proof. Get two vinyl placemats and sew together, pretty sides facing each other. Leave a small whole to turn inside out and then stuff with cotton or comparable material. Then sew up the small hole and there you go.

There are so many things you can do with vinyl so be creative and craft away!