Sewing machinists, please opine

[Pegfreak]

I was thinking of making something like this sewing machine mat (not the cover) for my friend's Christmas present. I'm just wondering though if it's as practical as it looks, with the thing hanging down over your legs. Everyone will have their own, already established, way of working so much as I think it's pretty is it practical? What do you think? Has anyone got one?

I really like this! I use an old tablecloth for my machine - to stop the table getting scratched and love the idea of the tape measure sewn in. Not sure that I would use the pockets though - and the buttons might be annoying - but I think the mat on its own is lovely.

I think that looks like fun... but I would want the cover too! [greedy guts emoticon]

I like it but would find it may get in the way of my legs a bit. Could you keep the mat for under the machine but only have a long narrow panel coming down to one side only for the thread catcher and pocket.

I've made both the mat and the cover from that pattern. They're lovely. I don't use the pockets in the mat but it does reduce the noise from my sewing machine a lot (I do most of my sewing in the evening in the room directly above DD's bedroom) so for that alone (and the fact it looks so pretty!) I think it's worth it.

Thank you, all .

I think I would find the pockets over my legs annoying that's why I asked. I hadn't thought of the noise thing, Schrodinger, good point.

I think I'll make a smaller mat, with a pincushion, thread catcher and maybe a pot covered in the materials for scissors etc, that can all sit on top.

Wish me luck!

Good luck!