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Tutorial: Sewing Machine Mat with Pocketsby Tonya Grant |Filed Under: Sewing, TutorialsTagged With: How to, Mat, Sew Box Subscriptions, Sewing machine, Tops of 2015Get a Weekly Update of all Articles
A few years ago now I decided to make a mat to go under my sewing machine to protect my
table top and store various bits and pieces that I used all the time when I was sewing. At the
time I made it up as I went along using some leftover jelly roll strips. A few people have asked
over time for a tutorial and I have meant to write one, but this week I actually made a new and
improved mat. This mat has an easier method, better finish and an extra scissors loop to keep
my scissors right where I need them.
S TA R T H E R E S U B S C R I B E W E LCO M E C AT E G O R I E S T U TO R I A L S
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It also gave the chance to use some of the gorgeous items that arrived recently from Sew Box
Subscriptions. I was lucky enough to receive one of the first boxes sent out in September from
this new website and I was impressed. The presentation was gorgeous – a neat white box tied
with pretty blue ribbon, and the contents were lovely. I have shared a few pictures on
Instagram and Facebook where you can see the floral fabric, matching thread, dyed crochet
doilies, unusual ribbon, Wonder Clips and some special vouchers. These boxes are available
every month and you can sign up now at the Sew Box Subscriptions website. You can
everything that was in my box here.
But on to the tutorial!
Sew a Sewing Machine Mat with Pockets
What You Need
2 Rectangles of Fabric – 22″ x 26″ (If you want to adjust the size: 22″ is a little wider than the
base of my sewing machine, 26″ is the depth of the mat plus the depth of the pocket x 2)
1 Rectangle of Iron-on Pellon – 21″ x 25″ (This is just slightly smaller than your fabric
rectangles)
Decorative Ribbon – 23″ long for pocket trim + 1.5″ for scissors loop (see note)
Usual sewing supplies – thread, scissors, etc.
Note: The decorative ribbon I have used had a crochet loopy edge which made it perfect to
use as a decoration of the edge of the pockets. You could get a similar look with lace or ric rac.
(You can find this at Little Cherubs Craft)
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What To Do
1. Iron the pellon onto the back of one of the fabric rectangles.
2. Lay the ribbon on the right side of the short edge of one of the rectangles. I used the one
with pellon attached but either one will work. Lay it with the decorative edge away from the
fabric edge and careful pin into place.
3. At the sewing machine, attach the ribbon to the fabric sewing just in from the edge – about
1/8″ or 2mm. This stitching won’t be seen on the finished edge – and that’s what we want –
but it will hold the ribbon in place when we join the rectangles.
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4. Lay one rectangle piece down right side up. Then lay the other rectangle on top right sidedown. Match the edges and pin in place. (Tip: I like the have the pellon on top so I can see it
as I’m sewing and so it won’t get caught in the feed dogs of the sewing machine.)
5. Take to the sewing machine and stitch around the edge to join the two rectangles about
1/4″ or 5mm from the edge, leaving a gap of 6-8″ on one side for turning. (Tip: Don’t leave the
gap on the edge with the ribbon trim – pick one of the other three sides. Oh, and having the
gap in the middle of a side is easier than near a corner.)
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6. Clip the corners (to remove bulk) and turn it through. Use a knitting needle or similar to
push the corners out to nice points.
7. Carefully press the edges – be especially careful pressing the edge with the decorative
ribbon – and tuck the edges of the gap into place. I clipped these with Wonder Clips that came
in the Sew Box – much easier than pins!
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8. Sew around the whole rectangle 1/8″ from the edge – this “top stitching” will create a nice
finish and close the gap as well. At the corners, stop with your needle down, lift the presser
foot and pivot the fabric to go down the next side.
9. Fold up one short end to become the pocket. Mine is 6″ deep but you could adjust yours if
you wish. Again I clipped mine with the Wonder Clips – I can see these are going to get lots of
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use!
10. Stitch up the two sides of the pocket – I tried to sew close to the top stitching but you
could put your seam further in from the edge if you like.
11. Divide the long pocket into sections. I chose three sections with the middle one wider than
the other two, but think about what you will be putting in them and plan for the sizes you
need. Just sew from the bottom of the pocket to the top to create the smaller pockets.
12. Add a little loop of ribbon to slip a pair of scissors into. This is just a small piece of ribbon
in a circle and hand stitched onto the pocket. You could even add a couple more of these for
other tools.
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One more thing you can’t see in the pictures:
I quilted a couple of lines across the main section of the mat to keep the layers together. While
the mat is on the table they are not going to shift, but if I ever have to wash it, I want the pieces
to stay together, so some simple lines through all the layers will help that. I did this step last. If
you want quilting on the pocket, you would need to quilt it before you folded it up into the
pocket position.
Sew Box Subscriptions Q&A
As I was sewing with the lovelies from Sew Box, I thought of a few questions that you might
have about these subscriptions. So I asked Leesa, the face behind Sew Box, for some extra
info.
Q. What if I don’t like the fabric I receive in my box? – Can I get a refund?
A. Sew Boxes are a pre-paid subscription and a surprise package of blissful sewing items. We
hope that everyone will like the fabric and try something new. Unfortunately we can’t refund
or swap your fabric but we hope you will find something to make for someone you know.
Finding new and different things is part of the Sew Box fun!
Q. If I can’t use the free PDF patterns, can I pass them along to a friend?
A. As we all know, PDF pattern sharing is really not a cool thing. The terms of each pattern
downloaded are listed on the postcard and are one download for the Sew Box Subscriber.
Q. Will the contents of the box always be ‘girly’ like these?
A. The September Boxes were girly and pretty – occasionally there will be another one along
the pretty theme! We are trying to offer a wide range of patterns, fabric, notions and habby to
suit many people. Wait till you see the bright October Boxes!
Q. Can I order the September box next month? – it looked lovely!
A. It was beautiful but, like a magazine, once we have totalled our numbers, ordered and sent
them, they are all gone.
Q. Is there somewhere I can see where to buy something from the box that caught my eye?
A. What’s In The Box is listed on our website – it shows a complete box and lists the contents. If
you ever have any trouble, just drop me a note.
Q. Can I buy a box as a one-off instead of buying a subscription?
A. The Subscriptions can be purchased and cancelled at any time. We aren’t going to be
offering single Sew Boxes as a regular offer.
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See my matching Sewing Machine Pincushion here.
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Filed Under: Sewing, Tutorials
Tagged With: How to, Mat, Sew Box Subscriptions, Sewing machine, Tops of 2015
I love to chat so please leave me a comment.
Don't stress if your comment doesn't appear immediately - sometimes I have to moderate
comments thanks to spam visitors, but the comments from real readers will always get
published. Scroll down to add your thoughts or ask a question.
COMMENTS
Caroline says
September 16, 2014 at 9:21 PM
Great tutorial thank you, and lovely to see the Sew Box contents in use. Thanks for
sharing
REPLY
Tonya Grant says
September 26, 2014 at 10:10 PM
You’re welcome, Caroline – rumour has it that the next box will be brights so I
can’t wait to see that one too!
REPLY
cindy says
September 22, 2014 at 12:06 PM
What a great idea – I recently purchased a converted sewing stand – it has a iron
bottom and a beautiful walnut top- I’m so making this
REPLY
Tonya Grant says
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September 22, 2014 at 3:37 PM
Sounds like a beautiful sewing stand!
REPLY
Irena says
September 22, 2014 at 2:29 PM
Love your sewing machine mat very pretty fabric. Definately be making one. I also
like the subscription box. Will be organising that n a week or so
REPLY
Tonya Grant says
September 26, 2014 at 10:14 PM
Glad to hear you love it, Irena! It really was a lovely kinda mail to receive!
REPLY
Tess Elliott says
September 25, 2014 at 6:20 AM
Ran across your tutorial and it reminded me of a project I have wanted to do for
ages. For me, your pockets in front won’t work because I sew with an old all metal Bernina–
sweet machine with a lever by your knee that can raise the needle to turn fabric while sewing
your heart out. So I sew next to my kitchen table on a wooden (sturdy) fold up table the
perfect size, and my pocket or pockets would have to be like saddle bags, on the sides. Since I
am right handed, the tools would be on the right hand side, and less needed supplies in the
pockets on the left. I also use a home made chatelaine with great little sewing tools that hangs
around my neck. I mourn that chatelaines are mere collectibles now, though I use my antique
laying tool, and love my reproduction needle threaders and tape measures & needle cases.
What is useful should also be beautiful, an idea from William Morris and his shaping of the Arts
& Crafts movement. But I like your well-thought-out design, and it inspires me to get busy and
finish my own. I have a bag of clothing that needs hemming and sleeve shortening. Thank you
for the idea! Just have to love the internet.
REPLY
Tonya Grant says
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September 26, 2014 at 10:16 PM
Thanks for sharing, Tess – you’ve really thought this through!. Your antique
tools sound divine!
REPLY
Sue says
September 26, 2014 at 6:17 PM
Wow. I wonder if Sew Box really intends to come across sounding quite so negative?
This is the first I have heard of them and they turn me off. Too bad!
REPLY
Tonya Grant says
September 26, 2014 at 10:01 PM
Hi Sue,
I don’t think Sew Box wants to sound negative at all but they did want to honestly answer
my questions and I think that’s fair enough. I have found them to be quite lovely in my
dealings with them online over a number of months and I certainly enjoyed their product.
Thanks for taking the time to comment and share your impression – I’ll certainly let them
know,
Tonya
REPLY
Joan says
November 6, 2014 at 6:54 AM
This is incredibly cute! I don’t have need of one myself but it would be a great gift for
any fellow sewers. Bookmarked!
REPLY
Lindsay says
March 13, 2015 at 7:40 AM
I stumbled across this on Pinterest and then read about the Sew Box Subscriptions! I
immediately wanted one but then realized its only in Australia. Bummer- we’re in the states.
Maybe I can convince them to bring it across the ocean to us.
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Made the sewing mat and love it. It only took me a couple hours start to finish and it’ll be
super helpful to have all my stuff in one spot.
Thanks for posting!
REPLY
Kitty says
September 16, 2015 at 11:52 PM
I made my sewing machine mat with shelf liner backing. I like the idea of putting the
pockets at the sides. I am looking for a pattern for a childs activities bag. It’s construction is
much like the sewing machine mat.
REPLY
Brenda says
September 17, 2015 at 4:11 AM
I am needing one of these so your tutorial is just in time. My sewing table shares a
sewing machine and a serger so I may make it even wider to accommodate both.
I have two questions. Is the Pellon you used a fusible fleece? And can the scissor loop be
added before stitching the seams? So you don’t have to hand sew it later.
Thanks so much!
REPLY
Tonya Grant says
September 17, 2015 at 6:41 AM
Hi Brenda, I didn’t but you could definitely use fusible fleece, and yes you could
add the scissors loop into a seam. Have fun making yours!
REPLY
Brenda says
September 17, 2015 at 8:18 AM
Thank you for your reply! What type interfacing did you use? Was it a heavyweight
Pellon?
I am looking forward to making one of these.
REPLY
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Tonya Grant says
September 17, 2015 at 9:21 AM
Mine wasn’t super heavy weight, Brenda. I just wanted to provide a little
padding to protect my table.
REPLY
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Who is the CraftyMummy?Tonya is the voice behindThe Crafty Mummy. Shedabbles in lots of differentcrafts – patchwork,quilting, cross-stitch,
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