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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)


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.


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.)


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!


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


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.


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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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


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


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



Sounds like a beautiful sewing stand!

REPLY

Irena says


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


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



Thanks for sharing, Tess – you’ve really thought this through!. Your antique

tools sound divine!

REPLY

Sue says


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


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.


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


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


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


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


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


Tonya Grant says


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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Tutorial: Sewing Machine Mat with Pockets - The Crafty Mummy · Tutorial: Sewing Machine Pincushion How to Square up a Quilt Block How To Troubleshoot your Sewing Machine Overlocker