Make a Placemat for the Dinner Table or Snacks
Weave a Paper Mat for Home, School, Holidays and Barbecues
Nov 9, 2009
Although it can take a bit of coordination and attention to patterns the first time that children try paper weaving, once they get the hang of making the over-and-under motion, they will be ready to turn out placemats. Kids will also enjoy taking part in preparations for a birthday or holiday party by making placemats for the dinner table or to set under serving dishes at a buffet.
Materials for Paper Weaving
Each mat requires at least two pieces of 9” x 12” construction paper in different colors that will look good together. If the mat is used for a holiday table, it is easy to select appropriate colors. Otherwise kids can use analogous or complementary combinations. A pencil, ruler, scissors, and white glue will help children measure, cut out, and assemble their mats. To preserve the mat for more than one use, get a roll of clear contact paper to seal the weaving.
Making a Woven Paper Mat
On one sheet of construction paper, create the warp of the weaving by drawing a one-inch margin from the edge of all four sides of the paper. Inside the margin draw nine lines one-inch apart across the short side of the paper. Lightly fold the paper the long way and cut along each line, starting and stopping at the margins.
On the other sheet of paper, measure and cut one-inch wide pieces from the long side of the paper. These are the weft pieces that will be woven into the mat. Start by weaving one strip over and under the cuts in the first piece of paper. When the strip is in place, push it to one end of the paper. Begin the second row by weaving under and then over all of the strips cut into the paper. Continue to alternate starting a row over with starting a row under.
Carefully push each weft strip next to the other woven strips. The final strip or two will be the most difficult. Add a dab of glue to hold the woven weft pieces to the framework of the warp. If desired, seal between two sheets of clear contact paper.
Weaving With Preschoolers and First Time Weavers
Make placemats with children at the start of the school year so the kids can use the mats at snack time. For children who don’t follow a seating arrangement, labeled placemats allow the teacher to set down the mats and arrange where the children will sit at certain times.
Teachers will have to measure and cut the paper beforehand. Measure a one-inch margin along the two long sides and one short side of the paper. In between the longer lines, draw seven lines one inch apart. Cut the paper from one end up to the margin along the short side of the paper.
Unlike the warp of the weaving for older children, by leaving one end open, children can lift the pieces of paper out of the way as they weave the weft strips into the placemat. Show the children how to weave one strip of paper over and under. Teach them to notice the pattern in weaving – if they start one row going over a warp strip then in the next row they will start by going under the warp strip.
Decorate the placemat with stickers, if desired. Write the child’s name on the mat. Seal between two pieces of clear contact paper.
Paper weaving works on children’s hand-eye coordination. Kids will enjoy creating colorful mats for their snack time or to help decorate a holiday or special occasion table.
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