Categories: Utility, Gifts

Going to a sewing retreat is not only rejuvenating to the sewing soul but a great place to showcase your work as well as pick up new tips and tricks of the trade. Setting up your sewing place at that retreat is made extra special once you place your sewing machine onto this colorful Sewing Machine Accessory Mat. Not only will your place be set up in style, but your accessory items will be close at hand. Placing your stitch ripper into a front pocket each time will assure you will be able to find it if you might need it once again.

What you need to make this project

Materials: Soften low-loft fusible fleece - 5/8 yard; Stiffen One Sided Fusible Interfacing - 6.5" x 12"; Cotton Print (Sewing Mat & Lining) - 5/8 yard; Two coordinating Cotton Prints (Pockets & Lining) - Two coordinating Fat Quarters; Cotton Print (Binding) - 1/4 yard; Cotton Print (Thread Catcher Bag) - Two coordinating Fat Quarters; Buttons - Two 3/4 inch; Ribbon (hanging tab) - 4" x 3/4 inch wide; Thread

Supplies: Sewing Machine; Basic Sewing, Cutting and Pressing tools & supplies

Instructions

Step One

Cut the following pieces from Cotton Prints, Soften Fusible Fleece and Stiffen Interfacing;

Sewing Mat – Cut Two 20″ x 22″ using the Cotton Print, Cut one from Soften Fusible Fleece

Pockets – Cut Three 5.5″ x 22″ – One from each of the coordinating Cotton Prints and One from Soften Fusible Fleece, Cut Three 3″ x 22″ – One from each of the coordinating Cotton Prints and One from Soften Fusible Fleece

Binding – Cut Four 2.5″ x WOF strips from Cotton Print

Thread Catcher Pocket – Cut Four 6″(width) x 6.5″(height) – Two each from coordinating Fat Quarters, Cut two from Stiffen fusible interfacing

Step Two

Thread Catcher:

Fuse the interfacing to the back of the outer fabric cut earlier. Mark and cut 1″ squares from the left and right corners of all pieces. Lay the back outer panel right side up and fold a length of trim in half and place it right side up centered along the top edge., with the top of the tab pointing down. Baste with an 1/8″ seam to secure.

Place each of the lining panels right sides together with an outer panel, stitch along the top edges. Press each of the seams open. Place both panels right sides together with outers and linings matching. Pin to secure. Stitch along the outside edges leaving an opening in the lining. Note: Do not stitch the corners.

Box each of the corners separately. Press each so that the bottom and side seams match and stitch using a 1/4 ” seam. Repeat until all four corners are boxes.

Turn right sides out through the opening in the lining. Hand stitch the opening closed. Note: The lining will extend over the top edge of the outer fabric. Press and top stitch to secure.

See Diagram A

sewing-machine-accessory-mat

Step Three

Pockets:

Press Soften Fusible Fleece to the 5.5 x 22″ wrong side of the lining pocket piece. Lay the pocket front on top of the fleece and bind the top edge using a binding strip cut earlier.

Press Soften Fusible Fleece to the 3″ x 22″ wrong side of the lining pocket piece. Lay the pocket front right sides together on top of the lining and stitch across the top edge using a 1/4″ wide seam. Turn right sides out and press well. Top stitch along the top edge of the pocket, stitching 1/4″ away from the edge.

Lay the two pockets on top of each other with the shorter one on top. Pin together.

Mark the placement of the narrow pocket divisions and stitch.

Diagram B

sewing-machine-accessory-mat-b

Step Four

Sewing Mat

Press Soften Fusible Fleece to the wrong side of the mat lining. Place the Sewing Mat fabric on top of the fleece and lining fabric and quilt all layers together.

Lay the pockets along the bottom edge of the quilted mat and pin well. Mark the pocket divisions and then top stitch along the marked lines.

Using the binding strips cut earlier, bind the sides, top and bottom edges of the mat.

Hand stitch buttons to the right sides of the mat, using the project photo as a guide to placement.

Diagram C

sewing-machine-accessory-mat-c

Sewing Machine Accessory Mat