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DIY Placemats From Shopping Bags!

I have been wanting to try my hand at DIY placemats from those Home Goods/Marshall’s/TJMaxx shopping bags for some time now and finally spotted a couple of bags I knew I would use!  Full disclosure here, I tried a few different methods and managed to melt one bag and waste some seam binding when my final result turned out to be much quicker and easier!  

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DIY Placemats From Shopping Bags!

Head out to your local store that sells these shopping bags made from recycled plastic bottles and pick up those you want to use for your placemats.  The variety changes all of the time and they have seasonal patterns, too!DIY Placemats From Shopping Bags!I chose these fun ALOHA bags to set a fun luau-themed table for some summertime fun.  I purchased two bags for .99 each which will make four placemats.  DIY Placemats From Shopping Bags!

Open up your bag and go to work with a seam ripper or a pair of scissors and remove all of the seams along the sides of your bag.  DIY Placemats From Shopping Bags!I learned that many of the bags are made differently, but for this one, I needed to cut the bottom off.  Trim it as shown and you will be left with this.  You will then want to cut the top edge with the handle off of the bag.  I like to use a rotary cutter for this project, it flies through the bags.DIY Placemats From Shopping Bags!Take a piece of  12″ x 18″ stiff felt, spray it with a spray adhesive and lay it on the back side of your bag and begin to press firmly.  You will then want to fold the edges of the bag over the edges of the felt.  I used a very little bit of hot glue to seal down my edges.  If you are patient, you can also use craft glue, just put something heavy on your edges and wait for it to dry completely.

DIY Placemats From Shopping Bags!

DIY Placemats From Shopping Bags!You will want to be very exact with your corners.  I find it it best to trim a bit of the excess bag before folding the corner.  I secured the corner and the edges with a very little bit of hot glue.  Make sure your hot glue is not too hot or you will melt your bag.  (Guess why I know this!!!)DIY Placemats From Shopping Bags!Use a second sheet of the stiff felt, spray it with the adhesive and stick it firmly to the back of your placemat and you will be finished!  I found some brands of adhesive needed a little bit of help, and added a little bit of hot glue to secure the back to my placemats.

DIY Placemats From Shopping Bags!My placemats are all ready!  I will be styling my table later this week and sharing it all LIVE on Hometalk’s Facebook page at 3:00 PM ET on June 9th!  Tune in then, or check out my tablescape next week here at Celebrate & Decorate!

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36 Comments

  1. This is brilliant Chloe and the ‘Aloha’ pattern is perfect for summer dining or a luau! I’ve seen so many cute patterned shopping bags at HG/TJ Maxx too!

    1. I have been looking at all of the beautiful bags for years (I spend way too much time at Home Goods!) and knew I wanted to do something with them. I have a couple of more ideas!

  2. I will never look at a reusable bag the same way again Chloe!! Incredibly clever and such a cute pattern! I have painted pineapple glasses on my to do list, perhaps they need an hibiscus blossom too! Aloha!

  3. I will never look at those shopping bags the same way again. One of the best ideas ever Chloe! The price is great and the technique is simple. Time for me to invest in a rotary cutter. Love this!

    1. I think I have been imagining this idea for a year, sometimes it just takes the right timing! I LOVE my rotary cutter (I find them much cheaper on Amazon than even with my half price coupon at Joann’s)

  4. I love this idea! Cracker Barrel also has this type of bag, the selection is always changing. I can’t wait to try this project!

  5. I have been contemplating turning bags into placemats. This is wonderful!
    Will def be on the lookout for these bags.

    A question: Could you turn a paper bag (like the pretty printed ones at Dollar Tree)
    into a placemat? How to stiffen and seal it, I wonder?

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