weave it looms

The one I had as a kid was plastic with plastic pegs, so, not so many to make loops, but it also used craft loops. I think if you were to get basically a frame a little larger than the size you want your placemats, you could probably use it like a loom, stringing the long way and weaving in the short way. In that case you would only put nails at the long ends and then use whatever (ribbon/yarn) to weave. Just a suggestion, kind of like a wider, but only so long inkel loom http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inkle_weaving (my loom is way less complex and makes way shorter straps)

That is so cool. I remember when I was small we learned how to use the loom. My daughter just bought one for herself too. I don't remember how to do it per se...but ours also had nails that were on the edge like in your photo.