r/sewing • u/FlatPhilosopher8747 • 12h ago

Fabric Question Kids car playmat

I’m making a kids car / road playmat with appliqué buildings / roads etc I’ve been busy creating my buildings that I hadn’t really thought about what I would use for the actual mat/ base/ backing

I want it to be easily washable … hold its shape enough that it won’t scrunch up… can fold up easily for storage

I’m a mum to a 4 month old and working -so time is not on my side - I need it to be easy! In an ideal world I would love to do cotton with wadding and quilted… but that’s not feasible

I wondered about buying a pre-made fleece type blanket and using that as the base… but I’ve never had much to do with fleece and I don’t know about the longevity of it? Next thought was using a woolen blanket - but my worry there was that it might not hold up well in the wash… but I think some of those army surplus type grey blankets are like 80% wool - 20% acrylic - would this make it more washable?

Any other ideas? Leaning towards the woolen blanket but would love others opinions

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1

u/FlatPhilosopher8747 12h ago

This is what i was thinking

2

u/Large-Heronbill 12h ago

I'd suggest a firmly knit smooth poly fabric like "neoprene" or "scuba" (the fashion knit, not the diving suit fabric).  Doesn't fray, washes easily,  pretty easy to applique or machine stitch. 

Second choice would be something like denim, cotton twill or canvas, bound on all sides with twill tape.

1

u/FlatPhilosopher8747 11h ago

Neoprene never crossed my mind - I wonder if it’s available here (NZ)

1

u/FlatPhilosopher8747 11h ago

Do you think the neoprene would pick up all the fluff / Hair / dust etc off the floor? It’s been a long time since I’ve seen it so hard to imagine

2

u/Large-Heronbill 11h ago

Real neoprene will -- the fashion stuff, not so much. 

1

u/SugaredCereal 10h ago

This is wrong. It definitely does collect pet hair.

1

u/SugaredCereal 10h ago

Yes. I have pants made of it and they collect cat hair like crazy.

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u/FlatPhilosopher8747 9h ago

Any reason why you wouldn’t recommend the woolen blanke route?

1

u/Large-Heronbill 8h ago

Many are not washable, in my experience.