Are you using quilting or gardening gloves when you FMQ? I have an issue with the price of the teflon mat. I just wonder if you couldn't use a sheet of template plastic and cut the hole for the feed dogs. Even Leah says you might need to tape the edges down on the product she is selling. I got a huge piece of the plastic at my LQS for less than $4.00, but it is intended for templates when I get around to it.