My summer of sewing is still going strong, even though we’re into September now. I recently got an idea for a project that is fast, easy, frugal and green. It’s a picnic rollup, containing a placemat, cutlery, straw and napkin. And I made mine using a second-hand tea towel. You can even thrift old cutlery if you like, or you may already have the materials you need kicking around your kitchen. It’s green because you don’t need to buy new things, and it also encourages the use of re-usable cutlery, straws, and napkins. Plus the placemat can compensate for the less-than-clean state of many a park surface.
Without further ado, here is how to make a picnic rollup of your own:
Materials
The tea towel, $2 from the thrift store
Instructions
Towel cut in half, and then end pieces cut off
you will cut the bit to the left off to make a square
Placemat, napkin, pocket. My pocket isn't square here - I had to re-do it later.
Three pieces with edges pressed under
Finished rollup from the top
Close-up of the zigzag stitching
Finished rollup, unrolled
All rolled up and ready to go
Let’s say you like the idea of a picnic rollup, but don’t sew. Never fear, I have the solution for you. In my thrifting I also came across some snazzy placemats and napkins. You can just roll up your cutlery and napkin in a placemat, and tie with ribbon. It’s not quite as tidy, but it’s just as green and frugal, and doesn’t require the use of a sewing machine. The placemats I found already had the fancy mushroom pockets, but they’re completely unnecessary if you get the ribbon tight enough.
I’m going to come clean and admit that I did buy some new cutlery for picnic use. This fancy bamboo spork is for Hannah. It’s the perfect size for a toddler or preschooler, and does double duty. Plus I hear bamboo is a pretty ecologically friendly choice. I also bought some stainless steel straws. These are still not widely available, and while straws are really completely unnecessary my 4-year-old does love them. These are dishwasher safe and get a big thumbs-up from my kiddo.
Bamboo spork and stainless steel straw
Now that I have my snazzy rollups ready to go, I’m hoping it helps keep me well-stocked in my travels. I am always forgetting important items on outings with the kids, but now at least I will be ready for a waste-free lunch. As long as I remember plates, that is. 
amberstrocel
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Great idea Amber – I will check it out later today!
That’s awesome! You are much more crafty than I.
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Those look fabulous. Great job!
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What a neat idea. And I love those straws!
Twitter: fuoriborgo
says:
Great project, I love the elastic loop closures. Your straw had me intrigued right to the end, trying to guess what it was!
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I like this. Usually I just throw a napkin in our snack bag. If I wasn’t so lazy I might even make this.
The straws are awesome! Does it feel weird to drink form them?
Twitter: AmberStrocel
says:
I hadn’t drunk from any of the straws, so I had to give it a try just for you. It is a little weird, but I think you get used to it really quickly. Sort of like I found drinking out of a stainless steel bottle to be weird at first, but now it’s no problem. If you have a straw fiend like I do I would totally recommend them.
Twitter: bitterindigo
says:
See? If I didn’t know you I never would have heard about stainless steel straws!
I’m in awe of your craftiness.
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Twitter: ladymrules
says:
I’ve never heard of the straws – good to know about them.
I love the roll-ups! I’ve been trying to move towards reusables, and now is about time to actually do it all the time.
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I envy! I love! <3
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Wow that’s really clever! You very clever thing, you…
I used to do loads of sewing when I was mostly horizontal for a few years but haven’t done any for ages. Seeing those photos of your project made my fingers twitch!
I’m going to have to get me some of those straws – I have a straw fiend too
x
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Those placemats are soooo cool!
Oops! I almost forgot to check this out – only 4 days late – sorry! Anyway, ooh’s and aah’s from this mama to you! I actually think I might be able to do this one myself too – I think I may just be able to sew *just* that much! Yay me! And where did you get those straws? So awesome! I found a site selling glass ones, also very perty but these look good, and maybe less expensive…?
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Those are awesome- must go see what I have for tea towels