Sewing Machine Mat
 

At the quilt retreat, each quilter had her own [plastic] table. The machines had a lot of vibration on these. Many of my friends had quilted mats under their machines. I was encouraged to make one for myself. Yesterday, as I was sorting some of my collection of quilts, I found this small table topper that I had made in 2005 for my aunt and best friend of 40 years. When she died this past summer, the quilt was given back to me. It seemed just the right size to make this mat. The binding was horrid. So I removed it. I thought of making the pockets out of clear plastic so the contents could be easily spotted when needed. I've had this plastic since the '80's, revealed by the sales tag still taped to it! I'm pleased with the results and , when sewing, I can think of my dear aunt.

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That turned out really pretty. I like the idea of the plastic pockets. Your aunt would be pleased.

great idea. very pretty with the flowes

Great project. Useful and memorable!

So nice that you could repurpose a lovely memory gift.

Hmmm I might borrow your idea for our next retreat.

aaah,the phone! very nice

Wonderful memories every time you sit down to sew! What a great idea!

Very nice, great idea.

looks very handy

What a fantastic idea.

Love this! There is never enough room on the table at a retreat even with a little side table. Unless you want to move all the snacks away and who wants to do that? I'm thinking now about a chair pad with pockets too.

that's another good idea!

A very clever "conversion".

What a sweet idea to use this from your aunt and the plastic not only lets you see your tools but also the beautiful tulips. A nice way to have a reminder of her!

Very creative.

Such a good use of that table topper. Nice that it was returned to you and that it serves such a useful purpose...the reminder of your aunt is a bonus!

Very nice!

Very pretty. It will make the winter less dreary with the pretty flowers.

What a great idea! And lovely memories too!

What a lovely story. Your mat turned out beautifully too. Wish I had made mine with the clear pockets, that's a super idea!

What a great idea for like a memory mat. I would of never thought of something like that. The clear plastic pockets are awesome too.

How sweet! I know you will smile every time you sit down to sew.

Love your 'memory mat'! I like the clear pockets on the outside.

What a great looking mat & those pockets are just perfect !!

Your table topper really worked well, and it is pretty and practical too!

very nice!!!

Great mat and I would say this is a recycle item and lots of memories for you.

That turn out very nice and handy also.

Really like your mat - think I have a mat I could do that with.

What a fun project...I need to make one of those.

Plastic pockets are perfect for organizing. Enjoy using your machine mat and thank you for sharing your smart ideas.

I really like that idea; everything at hand and easy to see. I need one so things don't go rolling away on me when they hit the floor. They sure can roll a long way.

Very nice, I saw one recently with a rubber underside, has anyone seen this, and what kind of rubber would be used?

Great project--

Nice reuse.

Thank you for sharing this. Am new to quilting (have only made one rag quilt) and am awaiting a new machine to be delivered later this week. I saw a couple other posts about these mats but this is the nicest I've seen and the plastic pockets are a great idea. It will be the first thing I sew on my new Janome and will post pics when done (as long as it's not awful):)

Adding this to my list of "must make". Love it!

Clever girl! I agree with the others, it will be a nice memory of your aunt. It is almost like you are sewing with her sitting right next to you.