Can I suggest that you use the batting made for pot holders etc. or buy the protective pads for the table? I have a table with a very fine finish and the heat from bowls and plates of very hot foods went through our regular place mats and melted the layered, hand applied finish on the table. It's been over 25 years now since I got that table but I regret every day that I didn't buy the pads to protect it. The long sideboard that goes with it is pristine which just makes the table look worse. Sigh. At my age, I doubt I'll ever see another new dinning suite either.