{Quick Tutorial} Sewing Machine Cover

My sewing machine doesn't get anywhere near the attention it deserves these days.  However, I still look longingly at it sat in the corner, wishing I had a few hours to spare to start some of the many projects I have going around in my head.

So imagine my complete disgust when I did set it up this morning and found a spider happily making it home in my beloved sewing machine!!!  I was mortified, so decided to get rid of Mr Skinny Legs (could have been Mrs, it didnt stick around long for me to ask) and do the only thing I could do, decide which fabric to use to make a sewing machine cover.

I've put together a quick tutorial so you can have a go at making your own.  

For this I used - 1/2 metre Michael Miller Mod Blooms

3/4 metre of turquoise spotty ribbon

Sewing machine

White thread
Pins

1. Ok, this is how I worked out my measurements.  You'll need to cut two pieces from your fabric. For the first piece (the smallest piece) I measured to the highest point of my machine and the widest point at the side (where the handwheel is).  For the second piece (the biggest piece) I measured the widest point of the front of my machine then for the length I did two times the height of my machine plus the widest point at the side. Make sense??? (for those of you into equations, it would look something like this....h x 2 + w)

2. Cut two fabric pieces depending on your measurements.  My fabric measured 31 by 16 inches and the second piece 7 by 12 inches.  I allowed a 1/2 inch seam allowance throughout.  This will probably fit most machines if the above explanation confused you! 

3. Still with me??  Good.  Sew a 1/2 in hem around what will be your three open edges of your larger pieces of fabric (one long edge and both short edges).  You could line your cover with other fabric (or make it reversible!?) but for the purposes of this tutorial, I wanted to keep it simple.

4. Pin the second smaller piece of fabric, right side to right side, to the last long raw edge of the larger piece of fabric.  This will make the back panel that will give your cover shape and cover the part where your hand wheel is.  Sew into place using a half inch seam, carefully tucking and sewing across the corners, not leaving any gaps.

5.  Fit your cover over your machine and measure on both open edges where you would like your ribbon to fasten.  I used about 12 inches for each side so I could tie it in a nice bow.  Pin your ribbon in place and sew.  Two lines should do it, ensuring you back stitch to re-inforce your stitching, however you could also do a cross between the lines just to be sure.

6. Tie the ribbons and there you have it, one sewing machine all tucked up for the night and most importantly, safe from spiders!

Whats more, I now have this gorgeous fabric to stare at instead of just my white machine.  Not a bad thing!

I hope that all made sense and that you find the time to give it a go!  It really only took half an hour or so to do from start to finish.  Think the most difficult part is the measuring (my maths isnt the best).

Dont forget you can find all the materials I used over in the shop and if you give it a go, send us a picture!