We were thrilled when Michelle from Creative Blonde offered to write us another one of her fabulous tutorials and we are delighted with how her sewing machine mat tutorial has turned out.
I’m sure you are going to want to have a go at making your very own.
Materials
· Fat Quarter bundle of 6 ‘Cotswold Country’ – in Fushia by Overdale Fabrics
· Gutermann thread colour 365 and 1223
· Half meter of H640 fusible wadding by Vilieseline
Haberdashery Items
· Iron-away marker pen
· Quilters ruler, rotary cutter/scissors
· Iron
· Basic sewing supplies
Introduction From Michelle
When given the task to design a sewing mat, I knew all the things it had to have… I didn’t want anything hanging over my legs, so I knew my pockets would have to be to one side. Plus, I wanted it to have an extra trim at the front, to give it a smart finish, and to help it stay put. My sewing table was given to me by my 100-year-old nan (my best friend) when she passed away, I love the blue, so I also wanted to use the blue in this gorgeous fabric bundle for the binding.
Let’s Begin – Making The Main Mat Panel
Start by making the main mat by cutting:
· 2 pieces of fabric measuring 18 ½” x 12.5”
· 4 contrasting pieces of fabric 4” x 12.5”
(2 of each print)
· A piece of H640 fusible wadding 26” x 12.5”
With RST sew a short piece to each end of the two main pieces.
Baste these pieces together to create a quilt sandwich, trim a 1” curve from each corner.
Using your heat erasable marker pen, draw diagonal lines, 2” apart.
Change your stitch length to 4.0 and quilt along these lines, using the red Gutermann thread.
To make the binding, take the fat quarter of Blue with white polka dots, and cut 2” strips along the bias. Join these strips together. Press in half, open out and press each half to the centre. Sew to your main mat, using the Blue Gutermann thread, along three sides (see photo for placement), leaving an extra inch of binding at the beginning and end, un sewn.
To make the trim, cut two pieces of your chosen fabric from your Cotswolds bundle to measure 4.5” x 23” each and a piece of fusible wadding the same.
Fold one strip of fabric in half, draw a line 8.5” long and 2” from the top, starting from the fold
Using a circle template, draw a curve from the end of the line to meet the wider edge. Repeat this on the other piece of fabric and wadding, this time use the first piece as your template.
Baste together, trim the corners and add your binding as before
Creating The Pocket Panel
To make the pocket cut;
Two pieces of fabric and a piece of wadding for each of the three measurements below
12.5” x 8.5”
9.5” x 3.5”
8.5” x 5.5”
Baste each size together.
Take the largest piece and cut a curve by marking a point at 6 ¼” from left bottom corner to top, and 3 ¼” along the bottom edge. (I used a plate to create my curve)
Lay the other pieces on top, flip over and use the curve as a template
Add binding, in the same way as before, start by adding to the top of the smallest pocket, then along the top and right-hand side of the medium pocket.
Using the red Gutermann thread, sew vertical lines to create the pockets, by placing the two smallest pockets on top of each other. Hand sew using a ladder stitch, the binding on the right hand side of the medium pocket to the main pocket. Add binding along all edges, apart from the top.
Attaching The Pockets To The Mat
Lay the main sewing mat faced down, as lay the pocket faced up, sew together using ¼” seam allowance, repeat this process for the trim.
Add binding along this raw edge, this will allow the trim to hang over the edge of the sewing table and prevent it from moving.
Your sewing mat is complete…
Thanks for reading, happy sewing from Michelle at Creative Blonde
You can also connect with Michelle on her instagram@creativeblonde66 and facebook creativeblonde66
You can download your country fushia sewing mat pdf.
Thank you very much for the pattern
It’s a pleasure, I hope you enjoy this great little project.
We would love to see a photo of your sewing mat if you’d like to share your make with us.
Happy Sewing Cindy
Can’t wait to start it
It’s great to hear you like this project Carol.
Happy sewing Cindy
In your directions for the sewing machine mat, you use the abbreviation of RST. What does that mean?
Hi Jill,
RST stands for right sides together. Meaning the print sides of the fabrics.
I hope that helps, Cindy
I LOVE your finishing on the mat. The reason I have not made one is that the pockets always ended up in the lap of the sewist. This solves the problem wonderfully, as this is the proper way to sit at your machine (even with the needle). I think I would like the pockets a little deeper, an easy change to make for my needs. Thank you for the pattern, I really appreciate your talent.
Yes, I agree. A little deeper, the one I made and currently use has deeper pockets but giving stuff that is basically in my lap makes me crazy!
Hi Kathy, I’m delighted to hear that you like this tutorial. I love the way you are going to personalise it and make the pockets deeper. If you would like to share a photo of your finished mat I would love to see it.
Happy Sewing Cindy
Thank you for sharing this pattern and such excellent directions. This is a must do for me.
It’s so great to hear that you are enjoying this pattern Denise.
Happy Sewing Cindy
What size approx. Was the circle template used?
Kathy: Yes, I agree. A little deeper, the one I made and currently use has deeper pockets but giving stuff that is basically in my lap makes me crazy! Can’t wait to try this. Is it available as printer friendly?
Hi Michele,
There is a downloadable PDF set of instructions. You can find the link for it at the end of the post and print it off.
I hope that helps, Cindy
Yes, I agree. A just little bit deeper, the one I made and currently use has deeper pockets but giving stuff that is basically in my lap makes me crazy! Can’t wait to try this. Is it available as printer friendly? Or perhaps in PDF?
Love the way this design does not have the pocket sitting in your lap when you sew. I have not made one in the past for that very reason, but this is definitely on my future project list. Thak you
BELLISSIMO – GRAZIE MOLTO UTILE
Thank you, happy sewing Cindy
I didn’t see it mentioned to put fusible wadding in between the two layers you sew together in the beginning. Did you use it there?
Hi Lori, thanks for your message. Yes you do need to add the wadding in-between the two layers. Sorry it’s not that clear, it mentions a quilt sandwich which is top fabric, bottom fabric and wadding in the middle! I hope that helps.
Happy Sewing Cindy
Where can I get the pattern
Hi Eleanor, thanks for your message. All of the instructions, including cutting sizes, are on the blog post. There is a link at the end of the post where you can download a PDF of the instructions.
Thank you for this pattern. I’ve never seen one like it and will make it up as soon as I get my fabrics together. Love that the mat won’t rest on my legs.
Thanks for commenting Liz, it’s great to hear that you are going to have a go at this project. It’s been really popular.
Happy Sewing, Cindy
Best pattern for a sewing mat I have seen. I plan to make this, one for myself and one for my best friend, who has an upcoming birthday. Having the side pockets prevents clumsy me:) from pulling the machine and all off the table when standing up.
Hi Esther, thanks for your lovely comment I’m so pleased you like the sewing mat. Lucky friend I expect she will be delighted with her gift.
Happy Sewing Cindy
This turned out great and was very fast and easy to make! Thanks so much for the tutorial.
Hi Stephanie, thanks for your lovely message. I’m so pleased to hear that you enjoyed the tutorial.
Happy Sewing Cindy
Love it
That’s great to hear! Thanks for commenting.
Happy Sewing Cindy