If you use muslin on the back as you quilt or embelish, it will glide easily on the plate, I would use a teflon foot or use freezer paper or even tissue paper on top to keep the foot from sticking. I have embrodiered on leather and it is great! I am assuming (never should, shame on me!) that you are not talking "rough" or natural leather, and rather a finished leather that would wipe clean. My sofa is rough and would not make good placemats, but awesome purses! Linda

You may find sites that give hints for sewing stuffed teddy bears may have help for this too. I have sewn with leather (for the above mentioned teddy bears). There are a few weird things - like leather is not going to "slip" through easily. You know how cotton sort of glides along as you sew - leather not so much. I have had decent luck putting a piece of freezer paper over the leather (both sides) and sewing through it. The paper helps the leather "slide" along. Definitely slow the machine down. Use a leather needle - the tip is shaped differently to help pierce the leather.

When working with leather there is no real do-overs.

Many years ago I got into sewing items made from vinyl (looks like leather) and found that top stitching was almost
impossible. I don't know where I got the idea, but I got a jar of petroleum jelly and spread a light coating on the area where I would be stitching. Worked like magic. I made tote bags and diaper bags...and all the straps needed
to be top stitched since they had the edges folded in, not made into tube and turned. Perhaps this idea will work on the leather as well. I once did a remake of a pair of leather slacks into a mini skirt. No problem, but it was lighter weight than upholstery leather. This was an easy solution.

June in Cincinnati

Thanks all for the suggestions and encouragement. I closely scrutinized the leather on the back of the sofa today and while it will make a narrow place mat, I think it's doable. Before my husband takes the sawzall to them I'll cut the leather off and will definitely play with it.