M is for make a sewing machine cover

Following my tutorial on how to make a bedside tidy, next up is how to make a sewing machine cover. My sewing machine always seems to be kicking around somewhere in the house as it's not the prettiest thing to look at, the time has come to make it a coat and dress it up a bit. Here is how to do it...

1. Measure your sewing machine, the height, depth and width, taking into account all the bits that stick out from the sides. Using these measurements, make a pattern out of newspaper; 4 sides and a top.

2. If you have a handle on the top and want to make a hole so that you can pick it up with the cover on, follow these steps, if not, skip these bits. Mark on the top panel the size of the hole you will need and cut it out.

3. Put it back on the top and see if it is the right size, if not use masking tape (as I did) or stick on extra paper to adjust the size.

4. Once you are happy the hole is the right size, tape the sides to the top panel and place it over your machine, it's easier to leave the sides unstuck so that you can adjust the size if you need to. Make it a bit smaller/bigger shorter/longer as required.

 

5. Choose your fabric; do you want an all over print, a plain fabric with a pretty border, or plain all over with some applique to personalise it. I chose from these gorgeous Kokka prints. In the end I went for the smaller apple print on the left as it is a slightly heavier weight linen/cotton blend so felt better suited to a cover. The Echino or Kiyohara fabrics would also be ideal.

6. Cut out your pattern pieces in the fabric, adding a 1cm seam allowance to all the edges and a 2cm seam allowance (or larger if you like) for the 'hem' at the bottom of the cover. Be careful to cut your pieces accurately so that the width of the top panel matches the side panels perfectly otherwise it will be difficult to sew together.

7. Mark out the hole in your top panel onto the reverse side of the fabric using a washable marker. At this stage I strongly recommend placing the piece onto your sewing maching to make sure you have the hole in the right place as this is the last chance to change it.

8. Draw on a 2cm allowance all the way round outside of the hole, mark out the bit you need to cut out in the middle and then cut it out. You may wish to add some iron on interfacing to make the top panel a little stiffer. If so, use the pattern piece and make the hole 2cm bigger all the way round so that you don't have to sew through the interfacing too when finishing the edges of the hole.

 

9. Cut a diagonal line from the corner of the hole to the corner of the seam. Fold the seam over to the wrong side 1cm and iron, then repeat again. Pin in place.

10. Next sew as close to the fold as possible all the way around the outside, when you get to the corners, make sure you capture the diagonal of the fold (below). Also sew around the inside of the seam, again as close the the fold as possible, this will make it stronger. When finished, give it a good iron.

11. Matching the wrong sides together, sew together all the side panels so that you make a tube. Stop 1cm from the top at each seam. Make sure you include all 4 pieces and not do what I did, which was sew 3 together and wonder what the remaining piece was left on the table. Press open the seam allowances.

12. Cut out a 1cm x 1cm square out of the seam allowance (which is drawn on below) at each corner on the top panel, like this...

13. Pin the 'tube' to the top panel wrong sides together. Take care to pin it accurately, matching the corners together. Then sew each side separately, making sure that you go backwards and forwards at each corner to finish them off properly. It should look like this;

14. Press open the seams as far as possible, turn inside out and poke out the corners. Place your cover over your machine and reassess how high the hem should be. My cover ended up a lot more generous than I expected, so I had more hem to turn up, also I wanted it to be clear of the bottom of the machine so had about a 1cm gap between my table and the bottom of the cover. 

15. Whatever your resulting hem is, half the distance, fold the fabric onto the wrong side, iron it, fold it over the same distance again and iron again. Sew on the wrong side so that you catch the hem, and sew as close to the fold as you can. This fabric doesn't fray too badly, but I used my pinking shears on all the seam allowances as a precaution.

16. Give it one final iron and you are all done!

I think this is a great chance to be a bit more creative, adding some details to a plain cover like embroidery or appliqué, if you could measure a friend's sewing maching in secret, it could also make a lovely gift.

Handmade at home

I love getting pictures of things you have made, and today Kelly from Handmade at home sent me these pictures of a gorgeous top she made from Anna Maria Horner voile (colouring garden in sea). Read about it on her blog.

These pictures will soon be in the "M is for made' section on the website, and Kelly will receive 10% off her next order for her troubles. Take a closer look at the clothes hanger - she made that too!

Bird Song Tote

The first thing I made a few years ago when I got back into sewing was a tote bag in Echino fabric.  It's has lasted really well and hasn't really worn out, I just fancied a change. I've been wanting to make something from the Echino bird song fabric since it arrived and it just seemed perfect for a bag.

So here is the finished product, it's lined (in an attempt to make a dent in my fabric stash) and I made a pocket for my phone inside as I am always scrabbling around in the bottom of my bag for it.

I love this fabric, I think it might be my favourite Echino fabric at the moment, there is so much in the design to use. I would love to make my daughter a skirt from the dark pink leafy border on the bottom. And for myself, I was thinking the other side would make a great skirt too, something simple lined and A-line, what do you think? (modelled from the offcuts!)

(Note to self, wear shorter jeans)

or this way

 or (great idea Stash Avalanche) this way

Easter bunnies

The Martha Stewart website is a great resource for free patterns and general craft stuff. I found this pattern to make a bunny and have been meaning to make some for the kids for ages, what better time than Easter?

It was quite quick to make, and a great way to use up some left over fabric from the dress I made. Naturally, I managed to fill even the simplest of sewing projects with all sorts of mistakes, note the arms are not stuffed and the ears are rather, erm, wonky. It gives the rabbit character. The instructions suggested adding the features last, I added mine before I stuffed it, but it would have been much easier to do before I'd even started sewing it together. I'm going to be making another one, so will know better next time.

Another project that caught my eye were these gorgeous pettiskirts, but they look a bit more daunting. I can absolutely imagine being 5 years old and swishing round in one for hours, so I must make one when I can summon up the courage!