Giant leather place mats, each made from six pieces of lambskin sewn together, topstitched, and given a canvas backing, are a fashionable twist on a tablecloth. To help ward off stains, treat the mats with a protectant spray. 

Tools and Materials
Pieces of lambskin measuring at least 12 square feet
Double-sided tape
Leather adhesive
Bone folder
3-by-4-foot lightweight cotton canvas thread in a contrasting color for topstitching
Fabric scissors

Place Mat How-To
1. Download patterrns; enlarge 300 percent on a copy machine to match scale of the original.

2. Cut out leather patterns according to our leather cutting instructions. Cut 2 of pattern A, then flip the template over and cut 2 more pieces so that you have 4 total; 2 are mirror images. Cut 2 leather pieces using pattern B.

3. Fold cotton canvas in half. Use pattern C to cut a piece of canvas, making sure to line up the marked edge with the folded edge of the canvas. Unfold; this will be the back of the place mat.

4. Take one B leather piece and 2 opposing A pieces; match them up so that the sides marked "a" are next to each other and place them "good" sides together. Instead of pinning, use small pieces of double-sided tape to hold leather together, no more than 1/2" from the edge of the leather.

5. Sew pieces together according to our leather sewing instructions, with a 1/2" seam allowance, as shown on the template. Smooth flaps open with a bone folder and glue flaps open with leather adhesive.

6. Add topstitch on both sides of the seam, 1/8" from the seam.

7. Repeat steps 4-6 with remaining pieces of leather; place the "good" sides of the two halves together, attach with small pieces of double-sided tape, and sew pieces together with 1/2" seam allowance. Smooth flaps open with a bone folder and glue flaps open with leather adhesive. Add topstitch on both sides of the seam, 1/8" from the seam.

8. Lay canvas pattern C on top of leather mat, "good" sides together. Sew canvas to leather, with a 1/2" seam allowance all around. Make sure to leave just one 10" opening along the side marked "B" in the template (refer to the sample layout).

9. Turn project inside out through the opening so that "good" sides are showing. Tuck in 1/2" of excess fabric from the 10" opening and topstitch 1/4" from the edge around the entire place mat.