The exercise mat that I made and showed posted a picture of a few months ago was not working so well. The reason was that there was not enough padding and I could feel the non-slip carpet stuff when I put any weight on it. I think I got it fixed, but I will not really know until we use the mats in exercise class.
Well, anyway, when I was at the fabric store figuring out what to do, I ran across some vinyl (I think - sort of an imitation leather, or am I thinking of suede). It looked and felt like it would not slip, and if I made the backing out of it, I would not have to put the rug stuff on it. I think though, I would have to get a teflon face plate, at the very least, for my machine.
Then I got to wondering if perhaps I could use a piece of real leather for the backing on this exercise mat, that is, would backing made of leather keep it from sliding. I am not sure where I would get it, though.
Would I have to get extra-heavy duty needles for my sewing machine. Would I have to sew it by hand with a heavy duty sewing needle and a lot of elbow grease. Can leather (the backing) even be sewn to regular cloth (the top) successfully.
Then I got to wondering if a quilt (all parts, the top, the back, and the binding) can be made of leather. The same questions apply - would I have to get a heavy duty needle for my sewing machine, would I have to sew it by hand, etc.
Brian Christiansen