“You Are Loved” Snack Mat

Blogger, sewing illustrator and crafter, Minki Kim, shares her latest creation-a very sweet snack mat! Perfect for school snacks, lunches, or little summer picnics.

snack mat tutorial from WeAllSew

Every morning at 6 o’clock I get up and start to make lunch for my girls. It can be a simple sandwich with sliced apple, or chicken Alfredo pasta with a bag of sweets. Often I wonder how they eat at the school lunch room; if they wash their hands before eating, if their table is clean, if they use forks or just their little fingers.
That kind of thinking inspired me to make this pocket snack mat! A small snack mat, but big enough to hold utensils in a pocket with an embroidered message from mama.

Materials to make a Snack Mat:

  • 2 – 14″ x 10.5″ rectangle contrasting fabric for front and back (I used a cheater patchwork print for front and back from Pennyrose, Strawberry Biscuits)
  • 2 – 14″ x 4.25″ rectangle gray polkadot and white solid for pocket
  • 1 – yard or more decorative ribbon
  • 1 – 13.5″ x 10″ fusible interfacing (I used Pellon 950F)
  • gray and red embroidery floss or Aurifil 12wt.
  • variegated thread
  • sewing machine

snack mat tutorial from WeAllSew

Stitch a special message using free-motion stitching. If you are more comfortable with hand stitch, go ahead, it will add different charm.

Use a soft fabric marking pencil or disapearing pen (such as Frixion) to write “you are loved,” or add your own message. I added a small bit of the interfacing behind the lettering to support the stitches. Thread your sewing machine with the Grey thread and set stitch length 1.8mm. Sew the phrase ‘you are’. Change to the Red thread and complete the phrase by sewing “loved.”

snack mat tutorial from WeAllSew

I am using the selvage edge of white solid as a decorative trim, so make sure to cut from the very edge of your solid. Mark a 1/2″ line from the selvage edge of the solid, and place grey print matching the marked line, right sides facing. Pin and sew a 1/4″ seam, beginning at the side with lettering and sewing to 4 1/4″ inches in from the side. This will become the pocket opening.

snack mat tutorial

Fuse the interfacing on the wrong side of the contrast fabric for the front of the snack mat, I am using a cheater patchwork print.

Step 4 Snack Mat

With right sides together, place white solid to the contrasting fabric, matching two bottom corners and pin in place. STOP sewing at the stitching line for the pocket.

snack mat tutorial from WeAllSew

Fold right side out and press flat. Now you can see the white trim and 4″ pocket opening.

snack mat tutorial from WeAllSew

Sew matching ribbon on top of grey print just to the point where pocket starts.

snack mat tutorial from WeAllSew

To make the bow shape, fold ribbon 1/2″ both to the center and sew to secure just to the pocket (do not sew to the snack mat).

snack mat tutorial from WeAllSew

Facing right sides together, place the back section to front and pin in place. Sew all around edge with a 1/4″ seam allowance, leaving a 3″ opening for turning.

snack mat tutorial from WeAllSew

Turn right side out, and press flat. Close the opening using blind stitch.

snack mat tutorial from WeAllSew

Use a temporary marking pen to mark cross lines on the top of the snack mat. You can use a hand stitch to make these quilting lines (I used 1 strand of Aurifil 12wt. variegated thread), hand sew a running stitch. Or, use variegated threat to stitch with your sewing machine.

snack mat tutorial

Use a small length of ribbon to tie the snack mat closed.

snack mat tutorial from WeAllSew

I hope you enjoy making and using this little snack mat!

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2 comments on ““You Are Loved” Snack Mat”

  • Am I missing something? After applying the interfacing, I do not understand exactly how/where you stitch when you layer the top & pocket pieces right-sides-together. I understand that you stitch from the embroidered side and stop sewing at the stitching line for the pocket. It also looks like once you fold the piece right-side that at some point you stitch from the fold to the raw edge making one side of the pocket. I really like this pattern and have a number of “grands” for which I look forward to this project.

    • Hi, mefutch,
      Thank you for your comment.
      Referring to Step4 picture, align pocket lining on the mat, right sides facing. And place pocket fabric 3.75inch from the raw edge of the mat,right side facing and sew with 1/4″ allowance. Sew line will be 4″ from the bottom line. If you have any other question, my email is [email protected]
      I hope to see your version of snack mat. Happy sewing!

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