I needed a gift, a sewing machine cover. It has been long due, so I had enough time to at least think about how I wanted to make it. It should be rather quick, simple, look great, be made from scraps and also include some selvages. Quite ambitious, right?
I decided to go for fusible applique since it is a quick method but you can also use needle turn /then you don´t need double sided interfacing, simply print the template, cut it out with seam allowances and applique).
The sewing machine pattern has some retro vibes. It is inspired by the Singer sewing machine my mom had and it was the first one I ever got to use. It turned out I remembered by heart all these curves and the feeling of cold metal and how tired my arm got when I was spinning the wheel... All those memories came back when I started drawing the design...
You will need
- scraps for the sewing machine pattern and low volume fabric for the background (I used leftover pieces of white cotton) for the top
- pieces of fabric or 1 piece for the backing
- double sided interfacing (I prefer Steam a Seam 2 by Warm Company)
- a piece of freezer paper for template
- a template for sewing machine pattern - you can either draw your own or use mine
- water soluble marker
- batting
- 2.5 inch wide binding for the bottom of the cover
-1,5 inch wide binding for the machine handle opening /optional/
- 2 pieces of fabric 7 3/4 x 3 3/4 inch for the flap on the opening /optional/
- 7/8 inch wide ribbon for covering the seams /optional/
Pattern for the cover
Measure your machine and make a template (without seam allowance) according to your measurements.
Sewing machine template
You can download the template here
Piecing the background
This is how I started piecing the top using white fabric and some selvages.
Assembling the sewing machine pattern
1. Trace the template onto a piece of freezer paper (shiny side down). Cut it into 4 parts - base, machine body, wheel and spool. Mark the points of the body and wheel to match.
2. Cut pieces from the double sided fusible interfacing slightly bigger than paper template - in the picture below I used the base part as an example.
Yes, you will have some waste of fusible interfacing but this method allows to transfer templates on the fabric without tracing.
3. Take a piece of fabric for the base and iron freezer paper template onto the right side of fabric. You can cut the piece of fabric to the size of your fusible interfacing at this point.
Remove the paper from ONE side of fusible interfacing and stick it on to the back of the fabric piece, making sure that all area for the base is covered. This is how it looks from the back.
Cut the shape with scissors, remove the freezer paper and set aside.
Repeat for 3 other parts. You can use either a patchwork panel for the body or make it just from one fabric.
Now you will have everything ready for applique.
Applique
Now the fun part! Determine the place where you would like the applique and mark the line with water soluble marker. Take the fabric pieces, remove the paper from the back of the template and stick them on the right side of your background fabric. I like the fact that with this type of fusible interfacing (until it is ironed) you can re-adjust the positions of your pieces if necessary. Once you are happy with the layout, iron the pattern in place according the manufacturer´s instructions.
Draw the thread, needle and spool with a water soluble marker.
Thread drawing
Decrease the stitch length to 1.5 and stitch around the sewing machine close to the edge.
Making quilt sandwich, marking and quilting
Trace your template for the cover on the front of your background piece with applique and cut with 1 inch seam allowance.
Cut a slightly bigger piece of batting and backing fabric or you can piece both from leftover scraps. Pin or spray baste your quilt sandwich. Mark the quilting design with a water soluble marker. I marked here 1.5 inch asymmetric cross-hatch design (in 2 opposite corners). Quilt the sandwich with a walking foot.
Sewing machine handle opening (optional)
I added the opening for the handle but if you don´t want not to do it, then skip this part.
I used the tutorial by Nicole Young @lillyellastirchery for adding the handle opening. I just added a flap.
The handle opening for my machine was 7 1/4 x 3 inches. So I cut 2 pieces of fabric 7 3/4 x 3 3/4 inch, pinned them right sides together and sewed around 2 short and 1 long sides, clipped the corners, turned right side out, ironed and top stitched.
Cut the opening in your cover and pin the flap (back side up) to the bottom of the opening.
Then follow the tutorial how to add binding.
Here is the finished handle opening with the flap. I must admit it was the trickiest part and if you are a beginner sewist you might want to skip this part.
Sewing the cover
Now cut the cover with 1/4 inch seam allowance. First sew along the sides of the cover. You can either zig zag the seams or cover them with a ribbon for a neat finish. If you decide to cover, then simply fold the 7/8 inch wide ribbon in half, put the clips along the seam and sew close to the edge.
Now we will box the upper corners in the same way. Cut the ribbon 1 inch longer than the seam, fold half inch on each side and cover the seam.
Adding the binding to the bottom
Fold 2,5 inch wide binding in half and iron. Attach the binding to the front of the cover in the same way you bind a quilt, then fold it to the back, iron and sew by hand. If you are not sure how to do it, here is a great tutorial by Jemima @tiedwitharibbon.
Our fancy quilted sewing machine cover with handle opening and flap is now ready!
I see many possibilities in this sewing machine pattern, for instance a pillow for your studio or mini quilt for a swap. I think it will look good on a tote bag you take to your guild meeting or class. Or decreased to certain size and made from one fabric - it would be perfect for a pouch or project bag. I only had time to make a couple of pouches and an 18 inch pillow cover.
This pouch is from Liberty and linen with addition of hand stitching and some hexagons.
And, of course, denim version with Tilda fabric (below).
But I am curious to see what ideas you come up with for this pattern. Please, tag me @nordiccrafter, so I can admire your creativity. Please, use hash tag #nordiccrafterpatterns
Happy Stitching!
P.S. Please, respect the time and effort that it took to make the pattern and it is for personal use only and not intended for sale.