Thursday 21 May 2015

The sewing machine cover is finished

Good morning. At last a completed project to show. I was rushing to get this finished for yesterdays post, but ran out of time. So here is my new home made sewing machine cover. I got fed up of seeing the boring white plastic one that came with the machine. It sits on my dining room table so it's always there in my face. I needed something more cheerful. 
I've still got lots of small patchwork pieces, so this was a good opportunity to use some of them up. All the squares are hand sewn together. The seams joining the three sections are machined. 
I used the original cover as a guide, and measured it with a ruler. Two pieces front and back, and one long narrow piece to go from end to end over the top.

I made up the three sections separately, with the lining, making sure they were going to fit together by pinning and checking several times. Joining them together was machined on the outside. It helps to iron them flat before sewing. The other way of doing it would be to make the outside up, then the lining, put one inside the other like a box, and stitch them together around the bottom edge. I like the way I did it better because the lining is stitched into the seams and is less floppy and loose.

I didn't make a slot in the top for the carrying handle, this is just for the house. If I take the machine anywhere I can use the plastic one which does have a slot. 

The lining is cut from a blackout curtain I got out of a skip. It was a brand new curtain still in it's wrapper. I did think about using a plain cotton fabric for the inside with a thicker piece sandwiched between the two, sort of a bit quilty, but the blackout material is quite thick and does the job perfectly without the quilting.

So, which is best? the plain plastic cover.....
or the brightly coloured version which brings a bit of sunshine into the room? 
I am very pleased with this, it's nice to get something finished, it spurs me on to get a move on with other projects. Thanks very much for popping in.
Toodle pip

42 comments:

  1. It's lovely Ilona, well done.

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  2. That is lovely and YES, so much better than that boring white plastic cover. What a glorious pop of colour for your room, there's something so sunny and bright about it, it just makes me smile.

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  3. I love it, Ilona. So bright and colourful, and much nicer than the plastic cover. My sewing machine still has the boring plastic cover. I have seen various patterns and ideas for sewing a more attractive cover, but most of them seem so complicated. I think your method looks easy and I do like the seams on the outside, it gives a nice edging to it without having to fuss about with bias binding or something similar.

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  4. Just looking at your sewing machine cover and my day seems brighter. Now thinking about all the other household objects that look awful, your covers would cheer up a lot of things. Do not expect me to emulate you though as I cannot sew at all. Manage to knit and simple sewing like buttons etc., but not sewing. Of course my mum was a tailoress and tried very hard to teach me, but I gather it all jumps a generation. Keep up the good work Love Andie xx

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    1. Hi. You could knit yourself a cover. Go on, have a go.

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  5. Love it, its really pretty and bright and colourful xxx

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  6. what a great idea and a super way to use leftover pieces of fabric.

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  7. I love your new cover! Is there anything you can't do?:)

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  8. What a cheerful thing to see everyday to remind you why you like sewing. ( blimey that's terrible English, hope you know what I mean)

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  9. May steal this idea for a cover for my kitchen mixer. At the moment it has a jute shopping bag over it which looks quite nice but this would be a good start to doing patchwork. I have never done patchwork and want to make a quilt eventually but need to start off on something smaller. May just do the front and back in patchwork and the sides in plain.

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    1. Hi. It would work well with patchwork back and front, and plain fabric for the top and sides.

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  10. Brilliant bit of sewing! Colourful is certainly better than plain.

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  11. It's wonderful! I love to use scrappy squares and precuts!

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  12. No brainer Ilona! You have done a brilliant job there. I really should do something about my own sewing machine cover - I'll put it on the list (an ever growing list). Also sorry I missed your birthday, belated happy wishes to you.

    Sew (pun intended) what's next on the create craft list?

    Love

    Linda xxx

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  13. Its gorgeous! Definite improvement on the boring plastic one.

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  14. Gorgeous. Put me to shame.My sewing machine cover is a cut down pillowcase. My machine is just a little lilac John Lewis one. It weighs hardly anything though. Hubby wants to know why you are hand sewing,when you have a machine.ha ha.

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    1. There are some jobs which work better with hand sewing. With patchwork you can get a more accurate and neater join in the corners with a needle. What do men know about sewing anyway, ha ha.

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  15. Wow, how clever you are and how colourful and lovely it is!

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  16. I love this! You did a terrific job on it, I am impressed with your sewing skills! JanF

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  17. I like it; nice and tidy. I especially like your method of setting the center band against the sides. It's the sewing that makes it.

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  18. Very nice and expertly sewn. I like the way that you (and me) don't bother with a bought pattern. I urge everyone to make a paper pattern and use what you have in the house. Natalie.

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  19. The sunshine cover has my vote.
    xx

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  20. Hello.You've made a lovely cover, Ilona.It is very custom fit and cheerful patchwork-great job.I'm drawn to the handmade look of it -very creative.Just wondering if anyone out there has sewn teatowels ?I'm low on them and have spare thicker cotton-linen blend fabric remnant.I think once the sizing is washed out it would be absorbent enough.They would be pretty basic to sew,I think.Thank you for sharing,you are always doing something clever,and inspiring.Bye for now, D.

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  21. I would definitely vote for the colorful one you have created. It would make me smile each time I looked at it, for sure.

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  22. That is very snazzy Ilona. It looks rather like my patchwork curtains!
    Arilx

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  23. That's lovely! So much work must have gone into it, you are not only talented but you must have a lot of patience. Keep up the good work, I read your blog every day. x

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  24. Its beautiful. Thank you for the inspiration to have a go myself.

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  25. Definitely the patchwork one.

    Joan (Wales)

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  26. LOVE it... so colourful, practical and cheerful... full marks for creativity...Jo

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  27. I love it. so colorful. You are ingenious.

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  28. Hands down its no contest!! Your patchwork one is so cheerful and bright, its lovely. :D

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  29. love your colors, love the pretty patchwork too, this one is much better, good for you!

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  30. Hi Ilona

    The patchwork cover is absolutely lovely and so expertly made. What will you create next, I wonder?

    Julia

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  31. Lovely cover and a really well made piece of patchwork. Well done. Kristel

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  32. This is so lovely, bright and colourful and such a good use of scrap or spare or 'found' fabric!
    Love it!

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  33. Gosh I LOVE that sewing machine cover!! that brings a nice splash of color to your room I bet :)

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  34. that's lovely! I have made one, but just with one piece of fabric, love the idea of the patchwork one! Linda J

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  35. The new sewing machine cover is lovely - I love handsewn patchwork

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  36. That will make you feel happy every time it catches your eye! Great job, Ilona.

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  37. I love this! So pretty, it must have taken a long time to do that.

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