Here's a website that is helpful for finding the right glue to use. Good luck with your project. Luvs

Here is a link that might be useful: This to That glue site

Thank you but I decided to sew them...turned out nice and only took me about an hour to make 4 placemats. They were actually quite easy to sew on the machine.

You know we love to see pics here, how about a pic of your new placemats? Glad you were able to figure it out. Luvs

OK, here are some photos of what I did...basically found round placemats in black and a brick color (looks more red in the photo)at TJMaxx for $1.99 each. I sewed 2 black ones first then topped with the brick one. At least it's kind of different and since it's polypropylene (plastic) easy to clean so can use everyday.
Another thing we were able to do because the cabinet guy mis-measured 2 doors...he gave us the incorrect doors which were just under 14in sq. Glued a 12in tile to them and made two matching hotplates and the wood matches my cabinets(maple). So, for not much money I have 4 place mats and 2 hotplates.

Here is a link that might be useful: placemats and hotplate

Those are different, very dramatic looking and a nice new look. Love your countertops--beautiful, and what a great idea for the hot plates. Both are very good projects, thanks for sharing. Luvs