Monday

Pinterest Project: Reversible Sewing Machine Cover

Now that I have a fancy craft table, I'm able to keep my sewing machine out all the time. It's amazing how much more I sew, knowing that I don't have to drag the machine out and take over our dining room table for a few days. Pretty awesome.

Now that my machine sits out all the time, I've noticed it gets kinda dusty. Plus, its not the nicest looking item to have out all the time (I still love you, sewing machine!).

I decided it was time for a sewing machine cover.

To start, I looked at the finished products from two different blogs (which I found through Pinterest, of course). I liked the one at Make It and Love It for it's simplicity. But I also really liked the one at Nap Time Journal since it was reversible. I change my mind a lot, so reversible just feeds my fickle side.

I just combined the two styles and kind of went about it in my own way.

Tucked into the corner. I chose the fabric to match the little citrus accents I already had on the table.


Just like the ruffle pillow cover, this project is super easy!! I promise! It took me about two hours total (I had to rip out a seam, arg), but an experienced sewer could probably knock it out in 30 minutes. I'm going to take you through it....

Supplies:
  • 3 Fat Quarters ($6.00) - Because I wanted to make this reversible, buying fabric off the bolt (that I liked) would have cost more than picking up the fat quarters.
  • White Ribbon ($0.50) - I used about 1/4th of a new spool. I'll use what's left over for other projects.
  • White thread (or a color that matches your fabrics)
  • No-Fray
Total: $ 6.50

Again, you could always use fabric in your stash or upcycle a sheet, curtain, etc. to make it free!

Let's get started! This is a pretty long post, with lots of pictures, so bear with me.

First, you will need to measure your sewing machine:


I measured the width of my machine, including the knob on the right, and got 17in.

Then, measure the sewing machine from front to back, going over the top, like this:


I included a spool of thread on the top, in case I wanted to put the cover on, while the machine was still threaded. This means that without the spool, the cover will be a little bit long, I didn't mind. Its completely optional whether you want to include the spool. My measurement was 29in.


After measuring, I went to pick out fabric and ended up getting fat quarters. Fat quarters measure 18in x 21in (all of mine actually measured about 22 inches long). The 18 inches was perfect for my width + seam allowance. However, I knew I would need to add about 9 inches of another fabric to get the right length (29in. + seam allowance). I decided to grab a third color and split it between my two, reversible sides.

If you don't have this problem/ you aren't using fat quarters, you can go ahead and cut out your fabric with a one inch seam allowance. Do a 1 and 1/2 inch allowance if you are going to be adding extra fabric length, like I do below. This helps account for the seams were you add the extra fabric AND the outside edge seams.

Now, you will iron your fabric and cut out any extra fabric you need for your sides. I split the nine inches in half and made two strips, each 4.5 in. tall (18 in wide, to match the other fabric width). I added a strip to each end of my two other fat quarters. The sequence goes like this:

4.5 in. strip (pink)
21-22 in. fat quarter (green or yellow)
4.5 in. strip (pink)

 I had a 3in tall strip of pink left after this (18 in. used to make other strips). If you're using fat quarters like this, make sure that the strips you sew on are the 4.5 in. ones not that leftover three inch one. I accidentally did this and didn't notice until I started ironing. I had to rip out the seam and sew on the right size strip. Pretty frustrating.  Anyway, if you pay more attention than I do, you should be fine.

To sew the strip onto your other fabric, line up the 18 in. edges, right sides (pretty sides) together, and pin. Like this:

Pinned, with right sides together.
Sew the pieces together and repeat at the other end of your fabric. The end product will look like this:


Iron your seams flat. Then repeat all the steps to add fabric strips to your other piece/fat quarter.


Once both of your pieces are sewn up and ironed, you can start laying out your sides to sew the whole thing together. Start by cutting your ribbon.

I chose to use satin ribbon, 10 inches long for each of my ties (4 pieces of ribbon, 10 in. each). I applied no-fray to each of the ends. 
 

Measure on your sewing machine, where you would want your ties to be. I decided I wanted mine to be 7 inches from the bottom. 

Lay out one fabric piece, right side up. Measure your desired length from each end (7 in. for me) and pin your ribbon in place. The ribbon should point inward, like this:

You can still see where the fabric was folded...because I get really tired of ironing, really fast.

Now place your other fabric piece over the first, right side down/facing inward, like so:

Told you I can't sew a straight line....



Pin all your pieces together. Keep in mind that you will need to leave an area open, to allow yourself to turn the cover right side out. I marked a 3 in. space on one of the pink edges. 

Start on one side of your open space (the space you marked to leave un-sewn). Reverse over your first few stitches to lock them in place. You will sew continuously around the whole cover. When you come to a corner, stop with your needle still in the fabric. If its not in the fabric, just lower it with the knob on the right. Lift the presser foot, then rotate your fabric so that the next side is lined up to be sewn. 

Rotating the fabric, needle down, foot up, to sew the next edge.

Keep sewing around all of your sides. Double check that the edges of your ribbon are still lined up before sewing over them. Stop sewing when you get to the other side of the space, marked to be left open. Reverse over your last stitches. 

Gently flip your cover right side out through the space you left open. Iron the cover, being sure to fold under the edges of fabric in the open spot, it should match up with the rest of the sides.

Now, top stitch around the outside edge. Be sure to catch those little edges in the open spot, so that it stays sewn shut.

Ta-Da! You have a simple, reversible, sewing machine cover!

Yellow side.


Green side.
That's it, everyone's getting a sewing machine cover for Christmas!



This project as easy as cake....because, let's be serious, cake is easier to make than pie.

So get to it and make your poor, naked sewing machine a cover! It looks cold.

Happy Frugal Crafting!





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4 comments:

  1. Love this cover! I'm a new follower from a blog hop. I would love if you followed me back at http://iheartpears.blogspot.com

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