Clean Control

In Asia the custom is to leave your shoes at the door, and use slippers in the house. Makes sense if you think of the lack of cleanliness of the street, versus your home. At the sewing operations in the more rural communities they also practice this tradition. It also makes controlling the sewing machine easier, kind of like a race car driver using thinner shoes for better control. Try taking your shoes off when using the sewing machine. Its easier to control the details.