Sewing Dog Cat Dish Mat Placemat

*** SAMPLES ***

There is no right or wrong way to sew one of these.  They can be made into any shape or size.  The tops can be as simple or as complicated as you want them to be. 

Part 1

* Sew together or cut out your top piece.

* Cut a piece of absorbent terry larger than the top pieces.  The can be a new towel cut up, an old towel cut up or you can purchase new terry.  Depending on the terry new some are quite thin.  For the most part, I prefer new or old towels. 

* Quilt the two pieces together using your prefered method.  I like using 1" painters tape and quilt straight lines.  I like to stitch on the diagonal but do what you like.

Part 2

* Cut a piece of polar fleece about the same size as your terry cloth.  While fleece isn't waterproof it does repel liquids protecting your floor for the most part in case of spills.  If you want waterproof, use nylon ripstop or another waterproof fabric.  Or spray the fleece with a waterproofing spray but it's not necessary.

* Cut your backing fabric the same size as your fleece or waterproof fabric.

* If you want your mat to be skid proof use a grippy shelf liner or carpet backing cut to the same size.  

* If you are using a waterproof fabric limit the number of times the needle penetrator the fabric.  Meaning use clips instead of needles to sandwich the layers together or use spray basting spray and add your binding.  If you use fleece this will not matter, holes from sewing won't cause liquids to seep through them. 

* I prefer to use fleece so I sandwich my fleece layer, followed by my backing fabric.  If movement is an issue add a later of grippy fabric on the bottom.  

* I like quilting these layers together using lines set by using 1" blue painters tape diagonally.  

Part 3

* Trim the top piece to size. 

* Place the new trimmed top piece on top of the larger bottom piece and stitch the two pieces together.  Trim bottom piece.

* I like binding using double fold strips.  If you are going around curves you will need it to be bias tape.  If you just have corners, strips, not on the bias is fine.  I cut mine 2.5 inches wide.  Fold evenly together and iron and sew on using a traditional method.  You can machine stitch or hand stitch the back side down.