Valentine’s Day: Personalized Placemat

Create a special placemat for each family member or friend.

Materials

• Fabric placemat
• Embroidery floss
• Needle
• Scissors
• Fabric marker (depending on the age and abilities of the child)

Directions

• Depending on the age and abilities of the child doing this activity they may want to write the people’s names in fabric marker (you can purchase types that disappear over time or with washing) or they can sew it free hand.

• Cut a length of embroidery floss about the length of your arm.

• Knot one end and thread the needle on the other (some children may find a threader or thimble helpful in this process).

• Sew the person’s name and any other embellishments that you may like into the placemat for each person.  We found the placemat to be a sturdy surface that was easy to sew into, but if yours is not, consider using an embroidery hoop to hold the fabric taut.

• Be sure to knot the end and trim off the excess floss.

• Invite your guests and set the table!

Purpose

• Developing fine motor skills by learning how to sew
• Being involved in get-togethers

Safety Notes

• Exercise care with needles and scissors, using them with direct adult supervision.
• Floss can be a strangulation hazard, therefore use with supervision and not as a toy.