The clear plastic is a good idea. I use the thickest one to cover a styrofoam machine bed I had DH make so my material would glide over it easier. I also have a machine bed made from a rigid plastic sheet you can find at the home inprovement stores but you'll need to have someone cut it for you and since it will be higher than your machine you will have to either cut small pieces to put under your machine to raise it up or use cardboard to raise it up.