Sewing Machine Cover . . . Done!

My trusty Janome 6500 has a new coat for fall:

Sewing Machine Cover

 

Designed by Monique Dillard of Open Gate Quilts, the pattern is from the Aug 2012 issue of American Patchwork and Quilting magazine:

Monique Dillard’s design

 

Thelma at CupcakesnDaisies and I both put this project on our summer “to do” list, with the goal of finishing it by Labor Day. I made it, and I think Thelma will, too, though I know she has been distracted by the siren call of wool applique.

I started working on my sewing machine cover in July while I was in Sisters, Oregon with my quilt group. I got as far as the block on the front (which is a little different from the pattern):

Center Block

 

Weeks passed. By the time I got back to this project near the end of August, I had decided not to make a duplicate block for the other side, as called for in the pattern, but to put a pocket across the back instead. Here is my work-in-progress with the front and back attached to the middle panel:

In Progress

 

When I pinned the sides and draped the cover over my machine, I realized it was going to be way too big, so I took it apart and cut it down to size. (If you are making this pattern, I recommend that you check the size after pinning but before sewing. I think the instructions are much too generous in determining the finished size of the cover in relation to the measurements of the sewing machine.)

Since I had to take the back off, I added a row of decorative stitching across the pocket, which you can see in the picture below. The binding has already been added to the bottom edges:

Downsized and partially bound

 

You may have noticed that I added an opening in the center striped panel to accommodate the handle on my sewing machine. I made a simple facing; this is what it looks like on the inside:

Facing of Handle Opening

 

Here is another view of my new sewing machine cover from the front . . .

another view, Sewing Machine Cover

. . . and from the back:

Back View

 

And here it is with its companion, the Billie Bag I made last year (you can read more about the Billie Bag in my Gallery under Small Pieces):

All Dressed Up with Somewhere To Go

 

As you can see, the sewing machine cover was made with fabric left over from my Billie Bag. On the front and back panels of my sewing machine cover, I quilted a stipple design with the occasional leaf thrown in, duplicating the quilting on my Billie Bag. For the middle striped panel I simply used three rows of decorative machine stitching perpendicular to the stripes.

Instead of finishing the binding by hand, I used ¼”-inch wide Steam-a-Seam 2, a double stick fusible web, which proved to be a huge time-saver. I wouldn’t recommend using Steam-a-Seam for binding a quilt that’s going to get washed a lot but it’s perfect for a project like this. I used it on my Billie Bag, too.

So . . . my sewing machine cover project has gone from a “to do” to a “ta-da!” And there’s a bonus involved. For some time I’ve been collecting pictures and jotting down ideas for a quilt made of house blocks. While taking pictures of the sewing machine cover both on and off the machine, I took this shot:

Do You See What I See?

 

Wouldn’t that make a great house block?!

 

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10 Responses to Sewing Machine Cover . . . Done!

  1. Peggy Kelly says:

    It is beautiful, Dawn! Need to put one on my to do list, too!
    Peg

  2. Dortha says:

    Love your machine cover. I like the matching bag, also. Do you love your Janome? I am looking at getting one and would love to hear your pros and cons.

    • Dawn says:

      Thanks, Dortha! Yes, I do love my Janome. I bought it in 2005 and have never been sorry. I looked at Berninas when I was shopping for a new machine and decided that the Janome gave me everything I needed at half the price. My only complaint is that my machine did not come with a hard carrying case. . .

  3. Thelma says:

    Dawn, I just finished writing my post about my sewing machine cover, which I finished this weekend. Mine came out too big the first try too! I love the pocket and handle hole you added to your cover. It’s lovely, and the fact that it has a matching bag makes me green with envy! I do have some fabric left over, maybe I need to make a matching bag, although my cover is for home use only, it only fits my machine when it’s in my sewing table! I linked back to your blog so folks can see two covers!

    Great Job!

    • Dawn says:

      I can’t wait to see your post, Thelma! So glad you got yours done. I was initially planning to make a cover for my machine at my sewing table, but something happened . . . subject of a future post!

  4. Merethe says:

    I love it Dawn. I saw it in the magazine, and thought I should make it. Maybe some day!

  5. Charlie says:

    A new coat for fall just before a week of 80 degree plus weather. Still, the machine can look forward to comfort for the upcoming winter.

  6. Gloria says:

    Thank you for posting your cover. I have this project on my “to do list” and my list keeps growing and growing! It is good to read blogs to know that yours and Thelma’s were too large so I can watch for that issue. Love the handle, would not have thought of that until it was too late.

    Gloria

  7. virginia zehr says:

    i was looking for a cover for my sewing machine and i love the one you have on this page with the star. do you sell them? if so, how much? it is beautiful and it match my colors. thanks, virginia zehr

    • Dawn says:

      So glad you like my sewing machine cover, Virginia! Sorry, I don’t make them to sell. Do you sew and/or quilt? If so, maybe this could be a project for you to take on.

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