DIY Life

One of the best parts about summer is outdoor dining. There is something so refreshing about eating outside under an umbrella, enjoying a fresh breeze and the scent of flowers in the air.

For all the pleasures it offers, though, eating outdoors does present a few problems. Sturdy plastic dishes and flatware are a must. And you are not too likely to leave your condiments out on the patio table throughout the hot days. This means many trips to the kitchen for napkins, extra forks and condiments.

Designsponge recently featured a clever, cheap, and super cute solution to help cut down on kitchen trips and make outdoor summer dining a bit easier and more stylish.

Are you looking to add a little flair to your everyday dining? or maybe you want some seasonal place mats. Either way, making your own gives you the most flexibility, and it only costs as much as the fabric you choose (which can be nothing depending on how full your scrap bag is).

The 7 step instructions, accompanying pictures and tips come together to show you how to make fabulous looking cloth place mats. Here's what you'll need to get started.

1. Fabric of choice
2. Scissors
3. Sewing machine
4. Thread

Have fun and get creative with the fabric. You could make a holiday set as a gift, or craft something for your own dining room table.

Your family is coming over for Thanksgiving. Your brother is bringing his girlfriend and the neighbors that first declined your invitation are now going to make it. The more the merrier, right? You're happy to have the extra people, but visions of grandma balancing a plate of turkey on her lap while sitting on the couch, or sending your 15 year -old cousin to the kid's table are not your idea of a relaxed holiday meal.

If you have 1 hour and $40, Tim Carter will show you how to build a big dining room table. If you have no table at all, you'll need two empty cable reels and a large piece of plywood. You'll find the cable reels at an electrical part distribution center. They should have a bunch of them out behind the warehouse.

Let's not pull any punches, folks. Setting a table is hard. Once you get beyond all of the etiquette stuff, like which fork goes where, there is style to consider.

Pottery Barn has saved us all, once again, from home decor embarrassment.

Not only can you learn, simply, how to set a formal and casual table at Pottery Barn's mini-tutorial, but they also have lists of special touches to really help make your table something special.

How about individual flower arrangements at every place? Or special music to set the mood of the party or event?

Be sure to click on the "more details" link on the Pottery Barn page to learn more about the integral pieces to a proper table setting. You can also print out this page for a handy reference guide.

Pottery Barn . . . where style and etiquette unite.