I started working out my process for making picnic placements with a zipper pocket to hold a napkin and the cutlery.
I cut the fabric 12 x 18 inches for both the yellow front fabric and the grey back fabric.
I created the pocket like my zipper inserts with the addition of tabs at each end of the zipper so there is no holes for things to fall out. I inserted the pocket between the 2 layers with rights sides together. I made some white ties which I placed at the opposite end of the pocket in between the layers. I then ran a 1/4 inch seam all the way around leaving a space to turn the piece inside out.
Once turned inside out, I ran a line of decorative wavy stitch to close off the left hand side of the pocket and then added 2 more lines of wavy stitching to hold the layers together. I added purple tabs to the ends of the ties to finish off the ends.
The pocket can hold your cutlery and a napkin.
Notes:
My ties could be thinner and longer.
I like that this method does not introduce a third color to the mat.
It is quite thin but would do the job to give you a clean place to eat your lunch at the park.
My tab on the left of the zipper could be narrower.