A sheet material cutting machine (10) includes a bristle bed (14) with generally vertically extending bristles having free ends defining a support surface for supporting sheet material to be cut and a carriage (32) movable over the bristle bed (14) and carrying at least one cutting tool (61 ) to selectively cut the sheet material. A vacuum cleaning system (28) provides vacuum at the carriage (32) to remove cutting debris as the cutting tool (61 ) is cutting the sheet material. Illustrated embodiments include providing the vacuum through a passage in the cutting tool (61) and providing the vacuum through a cavity in a presser foot (64).