Make a Roll-Up Chalkboard Mat with Rachel Faucett

Heading out for a road trip this summer? Make sure to take this handy chalkboard mat designed by Rachel Faucett for rainy day playtime for the kids or the perfect surface to play tic-tac-toe!

Don't forget to check out Rachel's thoughts on creativity, too!

Roll-Up Chalkboard Mat

Courtesy of Plaid Enterprises, Inc.
Designed by Rachel Faucett of Handmade Charlotte

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:
• FolkArt® Handmade Charlotte™ Stencils - 4368 Patterns
• FolkArt® Gesso surface prep
• FolkArt® Chalkboard Paint - Black
• FolkArt® Acrylic Paint for alphabet and patterns - your choice of colors
• Utility canvas for mat (available at Jo-Ann in utility fabrics section) -   buy at least ½ yd., you’ll use it!
• About ½ yd. of fabric for binding and ties
• Option: cutting mat, rotary cutter, clear cutting ruler (if making your own bias binding)
• 11” x 17” printer paper for printing out pattern pieces
• Stencil brush or Pouncers
• Stencil tape
• Chalk

DIRECTIONS:
Step 1: Cut out all the pattern pieces provided. No need to worry about the binding yet…we’ll come back to that in a bit.

Step 2: Prepare your fabric for a chalkboard surface. First notice that the utility canvas has two different textures on front and back. One side is more soft and fuzzy while the other is a little more smooth and flat. I chose to apply the chalkboard finish to the smoother/flatter surface, but ultimately it’s all a preference. You’ll apply at least 2-3 light coats of gesso to your fabric before applying the chalkboard paint. Allow each coat to dry before applying the next.

I like to alternate the direction I apply each layer of paint--vertical, horizontal, vertical, horizontal, etc.

Step 3: Apply about 3-5 coats of chalkboard paint, allowing each coat to dry before applying the next.

Step 4: ABCs
Working from left to right, use the straight edge of the stencil (below the tab) as a guide for the upper placement of your stencil on the edge of the fabric. Measure about an inch in from the side and tape down your stencil (and your work surface if you haven’t already), and you’re ready to begin stenciling your ABCs! Repeat the process on the bottom with the remaining letters.

Step 5: Stencil the pocket while you wait for the ABCs to dry. To make the pocket, I used some of the utility canvas – smooth/flat side.

Step 6: Stencil the back of the mat with the pattern of your choice. Repeat your pattern across/up/down by lining up the stencil with an area you’ve already painted. Let pattern dry thoroughly.

Step 7: Sewing the Pocket
Fold under the top edge of ONE side of the pocket pieces at ½” and press. Stitch seam down. With RIGHT sides together, line up the bottom edge of the pocket evenly and sew at ½” around. Trim seam to ¼” and clip corners just below the stitch line. Turn pocket right side out and carefully shape corners.

Step 8: Sewing the Ties
Fold tie under ¼” on one short side and stitch down. Now fold the tie in half lengthwise and press. Open the tie back up and fold one edge in to the previous fold line and press. Repeat this step on the other edge. Sew along the open edge of the tie at about 1/8”.

Step 9: Bias Binding
You’re welcome to use store-bought binding, however, it doesn’t usually offer quite as much give as making your own binding. Start by cutting your fabric along the 45-degree diagonal guide of your cutting mat.

Here’s a great YouTube tutorial on making bias binding (up to the 3:30 mark – no need to watch the rest for this specific project)


The only difference is our binding is only going to be 1.5” wide. You’ll need roughly 75” of binding to complete this project. Once your binding is sewn together in a long strand and your seams are pressed open, fold your binding in half with wrong sides together. Then fold one long edge into the crease. Pin your ties on the right side of the back edge of the mat as shown- one on top of the other.  You’ll sew your binding over the ties.

Starting at the bottom of your mat, place the unfolded edge of the binding against the back edge of the mat (making sure the raw edge of the folded side is facing you and not the mat) Leave about an 8” tail of binding free at your starting point and sew binging around mat at ¼”. The following tutorial is a helpful guide as to knowing how much of a space to leave in between your starting and stopping points and how to join the two together for a seamless finish. Joining ends: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ot7Trk6J2Vw

Pin your pocket in place somewhere on the chalkboard side of your mat – catching only the longer back edge of your pocket. I chose to place my pocket over the “C” for chalk. Fold your binding over to the front edge of your mat and top stitch along the edge of your binding.

You’re done! And the kiddos will love it!

Check out Rachel's post on creativity!
And her guest pinboard on our page, too!