The use of the different sections of fabric help make these placemats fun and unique. The sides varry to give a varied option of sides to use. Some placemats may habe similer sections. The fabric used is heavy weight upoldtery cotton. The fabric is pre washed. So when they need a wash, so they will not shrink on you. The measurments of the placemats are 37cm by 30cm (14in by 12in). The masurments between palcemats may slightly different as they are hand made.