DIY Decorative Edge Paper Punch Table Placemats

How to make pretty DIY Doily Placemats or Crafts Using a Circle Craft Paper Punch.

Circle Punch Doily Makers

To make the place mats I used a Martha Stewart Crafts Circle Edge Punch.

Overview of What the Decorative Edge Punch Can Do

I was sent the starter circle punch kit that comes with the classic doily edge punch.

It has 3 parts that are magnetically connected. At first, I was confused at how it worked, but you know that saying – “When in doubt, read instructions”.

Once I did – I went from confused to thinking, “This is way cool –Wow! and so easy”

I like my Thanksgiving table to have brown accents – I think it makes the table warm and cozy with rustic simple touches from nature. I used Kraft paper while making doily placemats, but you could also use brown paper grocery bags.

Once I made one doily, I was pretty excited and wanted to test it out using different types of paper. Scrapbook, wall, and Kraft paper work beautifully.

While playing with the decorative papers, I found that one set of glass dinner plates can take on a whole new personality for every holiday or dinner party simply by using a different pattern of paper as the placemat. Use one or layer two different size placemats as I did here for added interest.

For this Christmas place setting, I typed in my guests’ initials in monogram form on my computer and printed and cut them out. When placed on top of the circle punched scrapbook paper placemat- it acts as an elegant plate place card when the glass plate is set on top.

You can find glass plates at the dollar store.

It could not be easier to make these decorative edge round placemats. The best part – you don’t have to pre-cut the paper into a circle. The cutter does it for you. It also:

• Punches a continuous, die-cut border in 7 different sizes for paper up to 12 inches
• Trims the paper while punching

How to Make a Brown Kraft Paper Doily Placemat

Remove the punch and knob from the base. Set your size by adjusting the front and side sliders to the same number. I set them to 12. I cut my paper into a 12-inch square. Your paper does not have to be the exact size – just large enough to cover the metal punch plate as it turns a full circle.

1. Center your paper over the magnetic knob plate and set knob on top of paper – it has a magnet that will connect and hold your paper in place. Turn the knob and the paper will move one space.

2. Press down on the punch, then remove it to reveal the punched design.

3. The puncher section also has a magnet that aligns the punch perfectly every time. Make a punch, lift punch, turn knob one click, then place punch back on and punch again.

4. Repeat until you have the entire beautifully edged circle cut out. Takes less than 3 minutes.

It may have taken several years, but I could not be happier now that I finally have brown Kraft paper doily place mats for my Thanksgiving table.