• Begin by rolling out the burlap and cutting it to size. Determine how large you want your placemats and cut the burlap into rectangles.
• Sew around the edge of the burlap about 1" from the edge on all sides. This will allow you to fray the edges but will create a clean stopping point. Use thread approximately the same color as the burlap so it will not be seen.
• Once the edges have been frayed, fold one edge up about 2" and cut notches at 1" increments. This will be where you will cut to feed the ribbon through.
• Once the edges have been frayed, fold one edge up about 2″. Then mark the burlap at 1″ increments. This will be where you will cut to feed the ribbon through. Use a ruler to measure and then to help hold down your fold while you cut a slit at about every one inch marking. You want the notch to be just large enough for your ribbon to slip through. Repeat with remaining sides.
  
  
• Cut at each mark creating a slit just large enough for your ribbon to slip through. Repeat with remaining sides.
• There are two methods you can use for threading your ribbon to create a basket weave look around the edges of your burlap:

Lacing Method 1

• Cut two pieces of ribbon for each placemat the length of two sides plus 8-10 inches extra.
• Starting at the bottom right corner, feed a piece of  the ribbon clockwise through the openings you’ve made until you reach the top left corner.
• Take the second piece of ribbon and start again at the bottom right corner, only this time feed the ribbon through the notches in a counter clockwise direction until you again reach the top left corner.
• Once you are finished feeding the ribbon through, the ends should come out of the top of the placemat at 2 diagonal corners. Tie a bow on the top of the corners.

Lacing Method 2

• Cut four pieces of ribbon for each placemat the length of one side plus 4-5 inches. Feed pieces of ribbon through each side.
• Make sure that the ribbon comes out the top of your placemat at 2 two diagonal corners and to the under side at the other 2 diagonal corners.
• Use the two ends to tie a bow on the top of the corners opposite each other and use the two ends on the underside of the other corners to tie a simple knot.