Which interfacing should I use to reinforce placemats?

Hi everyone,

I have a relatively stiff cork fabric that I’d like to use to make placemats. I’d like to reinforce it so it feels sturdier and lies flat on the table. I was thinking of reinforcing the underside with interfacing. I could sew it on or iron it on. I’d prefer to iron it on, of course, but sewing would work too, since I’d only have to sew straight lines. My sewing skills are good enough for that.

My question for the sewing pros among you: There are so many different types of interfacing. Can you recommend one for my purpose? What should I look for when buying interfacing? Maybe you have a tried-and-true favorite?

Thank you so much for your help.

Warm regards from Ina

If they’re only ever going to be laid flat (i.e., not folded), then I’d go with saddle pad interfacing—it’s also available in an iron-on version.

Exactly, I’d recommend that too, or Dekofil

Best regards, Inge

Thank you both so much. I’ll keep an eye out for that. There are so many types, after all. That’s why I need the experts’ opinion :-))

Best regards, Ins

I’ve now ordered the interfacing based on your advice. I’ll let you know how it turns out. And if it looks nice, I’ll post a photo, too.

Best wishes, Ina

Even if it may not look that way, a photo would be helpful, because then we can tell what might be causing it and why it is the way it is.

Best regards, Inge

Yes, Inge, that’s how we do it. After all, we can only learn from our mistakes. 

Hello everyone,

I’ve brought my idea for placemats made from cork fabric to life. The cork fabric is a bit thicker and has fine golden glitter particles embedded in it. It’s real cork, which makes it very pleasant to the touch. And it’s not too smooth, so the dishes will have a good grip.





First, I made a template (47 x 32 cm). Then I placed the template on the cork fabric and the single-sided adhesive interfacing (Vlieseline HH 650) and cut out 6 pieces.





I then ironed the two fabrics together. The adhesive side of the interfacing must face the underside of the cork fabric. Since the cork fabric is a bit thicker, I had to hold the iron in one spot longer so that the adhesive dots on the interfacing would melt across the entire surface.



Since I’d cut everything to size beforehand, I hardly had to make any adjustments. To ensure the edges still look neat and are protected, I glued self-adhesive binding linen around them. If that doesn’t hold up over time, I could sew a seam all the way around with the sewing machine.



Of course, I gave them a try: The placemats lie flat on the table, don’t slip, and are easy to wipe clean. The future owners have a large, slightly uneven wooden table where you could always hear the clatter of plates or the loud clinking of cutlery. Let’s see how they like the placemats.

Best regards, Ina

Ina, I’m curious to see how the placemats turn out. They certainly look great. 

Those look really great! We also have cork sets—they last forever.

WOW, those are beautiful

Best regards, Inge

I’m glad you like them, too.
Best regards, Ina

Wow, Ina, those look great—I’d love them too. I love cork as a material.