Happy New Year everyone! For the New Year, I was inspired to refresh my sewing space and FINALLY make a sewing machine cover.
As I looked around, many tutorials were a little too complex for me. And as I started making my own, it became clear that I wanted something simple and easy for everyone to make. I had to modify my original design, because it was more important to make a functional, easy tutorial than to get really intricate with it.
I was inspired by this vintage pattern by Simplicity. I decided to skip the pockets, but add a patchwork element to it.
I was keen to use the Sew Obsessed collection by Art Gallery Fabrics. This is the cutest collection featuring sewing machines, measuring tapes and thimbles…to name just a few of the cute notions it shows.
So without further ado, here are the instructions as well as a printable planning sheet! Every machine is different, so your size and fabric requirements will vary, but I promise I’ve made this as easy as possible! Just follow the planner sheet to make your math super simple.
Fabric Requirements:
Fabric requirements will vary, but this is what I used for my machine cover (and my machine is large)
1 FQ bundle of Sew Obsessed
1 yard of backing in Hello Bear Firefly Light
3.25 yards total of bias binding** (cut from a half yard of fabric--I had extra)
Special Notes:
**Here is a tutorial for making your own bias binding, but I've also partnered with Karen at Bessie Pearl Binding Co. for an exclusive, limited time coupon code!
Karen has the prettiest bias bindings and all you have to do is hit add to cart! Use code MIDLIFE for 15% off. Coupon valid through January 11, 2024, end of day.
If you are going to be making your own, I recommend this bias binding calculator for determining how much you will need: https://mygirlfriendsquiltshoppe.com/pages/binding-calculator
Other Supplies Needed:
Planning sheet (click here to print yours)
A soft measuring tape
A small plate or bowl if you want to do rounded corners
(4) 14” pieces of ½” twill tape or ribbon for ties
Instructions:
- Print out the planning sheet and measure your machine. You want to take 2 measurements: The length of the machine and up and over the machine.
- Using the planning sheet, calculate how many 5” squares you will need to make the cover. The sheet will walk you through the math to find out how many squares you will need for your cover.
Helpful hint: If you need fewer than 42 squares, you can use a charm pack instead!
- Once you know how many squares you need, cut the 5” squares to for the cover. The planning sheet will also show you how to plan your quilting grid (how many rows you will need).
- Sew your squares together. It’s just like making a mini quilt.
- Place the quilt top over your machine to see how it will fit. You can trim any excess from your quilt top so it lays properly. I recommend trimming equally around the cover. For example, I needed to trim 4” from the width and length, so I cut 2” off from each side.
- Create a quilt sandwich by layering your backing (wrong side up), a layer of batting, and your quilt top, right side up.
- Baste and quilt as desired! I did channel quilting, spacing it every 1 ½” inches.
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Decide on your corner style. I did rounded corners on mine. Use a small plate to trace the round corners then cut them. You can watch a video tutorialon how to make rounded corners by clicking here. Note: You will need bias binding if you are making rounded corners. Click here for a tutorial on how to make your own bias binding. (Or, you can buy it at Bessie Pearl Binding Co.)
If you don’t want to use bias binding, leave the corners square so you can make regular binding.
- Sew down your binding to the front of the top, but don’t sew it to the back just yet.
- Drape your cover over and determine the tie placement. Use binder clips to mark. I marked one place and then measured where the clip was placed. I then used that measurement to place three more binding clips for the other ties.
- Clip the twill pieces or ribbon in place.
- Finish sewing the binding to the back. If you are machine binding, be sure to keep the ties out of the way when sewing over the ties.
And now you have the cutest little machine cover. It’s quick and simple and keeps dust out of your machine. And did I mention it’s cute?
I would love to see your cover! Use the hashtag #midlifequiltermachinecover and tag me at @midlife_quilter
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