How to make a chalk cloth mat

How could I have left out the inspiration for that apron in yesterday's post?  Joanna's beautiful gift was so perfect when my sister and I tried to sell at the street fair.  Since Trina sells her beautiful jewelry at a market, I thought it would work well for her and I'm loving the patchwork approach these days.  It's a good way to "quilt" without the time commitment!  Phew.  I woke up in the middle of the night and, among other thoughts, realized I hadn't written all of that yesterday!

The first grader in our dinner bunch on Sunday received a chalk cloth mat.  These are such wonderful gifts for kids in a huge range of ages and though I don't have a good picture, you can sort-of see here how I do them:

1. Prepare a contrasting pocket big enough to hold your chalk.
2. Sew this on the backing fabric in the lower right corner.
3. Prepare long ties (I used bias tape but I've used ribbon before too).
4. Fold the backing fabric in half lengthwise; in the middle of this folded half side place
the ties with long part of the ties under the backing fabric.
5. Make a sandwich with the right side of your backing fabric facing the right side of the chalk cloth (ties in between).
6. Sew all around like a place mat, leaving a turning hole.
7. Turn, poke the corners out with a chopstick or other turning tool, iron (careful not to iron directly on the chalk cloth or it'll melt, melt, melt) and then stitch all round the chalk cloth mat. 

You can also give them a binding, etc.  A lot of people sell them with oilcloth on the back but I don't care for the resulting bulk (though a vinyl fabric isn't bad).  To give/store you fold in half lengthwise, pop the chalk in, roll and tie.  Ta da!

Comments

[Nanette]

Wow! Thanks so much for the how-to!

[Angela]

I'm ignorant! What is a chalk cloth mat used for? :)

[Beth]

Hey, Angela-- Chalk cloth acts just like a chalk board so you can draw on it, erase and draw again. It's good for when kids are in the car/at a restaurant/out & about. It's pretty great! --Beth

[amy]

I should put this on my to-do list. Good for kids and adults. :) Thanks!

[Laura]

so, does it get dusty? Can you wash it like normal cloth? Where do I get it?

must make chalk mat...