First attempt at placemats, what's easiest? Batting or double fusible interfacing?
 

Watched several Youtube videos, have more questions than answers now. These would be for kids so I would like to keep them as flat as possible, using wholecloth. Use the birthing method? What do I do for topstitching if I use the birthing method. Not wanting to bind.
TIA
J.B.

Waiting to see what others say. Just made a couple of place mats a month ago. I used two pieces of warm and natural and the mats are kind of floppy.

I guess it also depends on whether or not you want your placemats to protect the table from heat as well, or just be something to help catch whatever falls? What about a layer of fusible batting or fusible fleece on one piece of fabric and a stiff fusible interfacing on the other?

I use fusible deco bond for a flat professional look. In a class it was suggested we use the deco bond for placemats unless we wanted to make heirloom ones. LOL

Yes, just to catch whatever falls and hopefully as flat as possible to reduce spills.

If you do the "envelope" finish, you can still top stitch, just realize the design will show on the back the same as on the front. No harm in that, especially if the backing is plain...

I've never thought of interfacing. I have always used Warm and Natural. They seem to lie fine for me.

Very pretty placemats Boston.

Just home from a quick run to JF and got the Deco bond. I do have some W&N that I could reuse(yep, took apart a quilt) too. At this point I am undecided whether to top stitch or not. The deco bond is fusible on one side only, how does the other side work if I choose not to top stitch? My top stitching skills are limited. Plan on using the envelope method.
Boston your placemats are pretty! Used that same fabric in an I Spy quilt.

I recently made several placemats for a Meals on Wheels charity event and we used W&N and birthed them and closed them up with about a 1/8" top stitch.