I have used corduroy on the bottom and for the handles. I have used a faux snakeskin for the bottom (hard to iron on the pellon but turned out great), I am going to start putting feet on mine because i hate having the cloth bottom come in contact with the floor. I use cotton on the top but have used some home dec. Basically whatever looks good that day. I use the 987F for the fusible and the trick I think is to put a nice stiff bottom in whatever you use. That all stand up nice that way.