It's a good idea to keep your sewing machine covered when not in use. A cover helps protect the machine's moving parts from dust and debris, and it looks so much cuter with a stylish hood. I also happen to think it helps my machine sleep, like when you cover a bird in a cage. The fact that I've never heard my sewing machine singing when its cover is in place is further proof of my theory.

This project takes just two ½-yard cuts of fabric. You'll see a lot of your cover, so make sure you pick two fabrics you really love.

Sewing Tools You Need

• Any Sewing Machine (we recommend the Janome Threadbanger-TB30)

Fabric and Other Supplies

• ½ yard each of two coordinating fabrics, we used Amy Butler's Nigella in Sky and River
• All purpose thread to match fabrics
• See-through ruler
• Regular ruler or measuring tape to measure machine
• Fabric pencil
• Iron and ironing board
• Scissors or rotary cutter and mat
• Straight pins

Getting Started

1. Take three measurements of your machine: length, width and height. As a comparison, mine measured 16" long x 7" wide x 11" high.
   
2. Divide the length measurement by three. In my example, I divided 16 by 3, which equaled 5.33" - say 5⅓". Then add 1" for your seam allowance on both sides. So, now I have 6⅓".
3. Next, take twice the height of the machine, add the width, then add 2" (1" for a hem on each end). Using my machine as the example, that's 11" + 11" + 7" + 2" = 31".
4. These two measurements give you the size you need to cut each of three body pieces. I'll need three pieces at 6⅓" x 31".
5. Cut two pieces from one fabric and the third piece from the second, coordinating fabric. I cut two pieces from Amy Butler's Nigella in River and one piece from Nigella in Sky .
   
6. For the side pieces, to figure the height: take your height dimension and add 1½" to account for a 1" hem and the ½" seam allowance at the top. Then take the width and add 1" to account for the ½" seam allowance on each side. In my example, my height was: 11 + 1½" = 12½"; my width was: 7" + 1" = 8". I'll need two pieces at 8" x 12½"
7. Cut two side pieces from the same fabric you used for the one body piece ( Nigella in Sky in our sample) .

At Your Sewing Machine

1. Take two your three body pieces and pin them, right sides together, along one long side. One piece from one fabric, one from the other - because you are alternating panels.
   
2. Stitch, using a ½" seam allowance.
3. Take the third body piece and pin it, right sides together, to the two-panel piece you just made to create your alternating pattern.
   
4. Stitch, using a ½" seam allowance.
5. Press seam allowances together toward the center panel. Zig zag the seam allowances to prevent fraying. For more information on finishing, see our tutorial, Finishing Raw Seams : Part One – Sewing Machine Finishes.
   
6. Take your side pieces and pin one, right sides together, to each side of the completed three-panel body piece.
   NOTE: To get everything lined up correctly, it helps to find the centers by folding each piece in half and marking the middle with a fabric pencil. You can then use these center marks to match the body to the side when pinning.
   
7. Stitch each side piece in place, using a ½" seam allowance. Press seam allowances toward the center. Zig zag the seam allowances to prevent fraying.
   NOTE: To make it easier to turn, make ½" clips at the corners before stitching.
   
8. Turn right side out and check the fit on your machine to make sure of your hemming measurements. I still needed a 1" hem, which is what I'd planned on in my cutting calculations. If you need to compensate, you can make the hem a little smaller or bigger to get the length just perfect.
9. To make a simple 1" double turn hem, turn up ½" all around the bottom and press. Then, turn up another ½", press, and pin in place. Stitch all around, close to the bottom folded edge. For more on hemming, see our tutorial, How To Make a Simple Hem.

OPTIONAL POCKET

I added a front pocket to my cover as a handy place to hold a few notions.

1. To figure the size of the pocket piece, measure the finished width of the center panel and add 2" (1" for fullness in the pocket and a ½" seam allowance on each side). My width was 7". To figure length, lay the finished cover down flat on your work surface and measure top to bottom. The front of my cover measured about 12" from top to hem. To that, I added 1" for seam allowances. So, for my pocket, I cut a piece 7" x 13"
   
2. Fold the pocket piece in half lengthwise, right sides together. I now had a folded piece 7" x 6½".
   
3. Pin and stitch, using a ½" seam allowance, around the three raw edges. Leave a 2" opening along one edge for turning right side out.
4. Clip corners.
   
5. Turn right side out and press. Poke out the corners with your finger or a long tool with a blunt end, like a large knitting needle.
6. Pin pocket to cover over the center panel, approximately 4" from bottom
   
   
   
7. Align the sides of the pocket so they are flush with the seams of the center panel. Make two even tucks along the bottom to create the fullness of the pocket.
   
8. Edge stitch the sides and bottom of the pocket.
   
   

Other machines suitable for this project include the Bernina 1008 and the Pfaff hobby 1122.

Comments (21)

adding the side piece said:

... Just a practical note to anyone trying this project: the cut side pieces need to be sewn onto the LONGER side of the body (ie the 31 inch side).

December 26, 2011

Liz Johnson, Editor, Sew4Home said:

... @ Mel - we used a home decor weight fabric for our sample, which I would recommend over a regular quilting weight cotton. It will help the cover hold its shape, and will allow the pocket to better hold tools or whatever.

July 15, 2011

Mel said:

... This is super cute!! What is the weight of the fabric you used? Would any cotton work or does it need to be stiffer? I just love it!!

July 14, 2011

C&DsMama said:

... Thank you for this tutorial and all of your tutorials! I am fairly new to sewing and I'm really eager to learn what I can. I don't know if you know how much I, as a beginner, appreciate your step by step directions. After completing a project from your site I feel more and more confident as a sewer. Thank you so much! And my cover looks super cute! It makes me so happy to look at it! Thank you thank you thank you!

June 27, 2011

liz.johnson said:

... @Sam99 -- our fabric is listed in the supplies section it is Amy Butler who designs for Rowan Fabrics ½ yard each of two coordinating fabrics, we used Amy Butler's Nigella in Sky and River

May 16, 2011

Sam99 said:

... What type of fabric did you use?

May 16, 2011

LoopyLatina said:

... Just what I've been needing to cover my machine (which I bought nearly two years ago), and exactly how I thought I should approach the measurements and construction. THANKS!

April 25, 2011

rita a 4324 said:

... excellent instructions. I am love my new cover!

February 27, 2011

vaheeda said:

... very nice and useful...tutorial..sure I will make one for my sewing machine...thanks..my friend.. http://zovascreations.blogspot.com

February 21, 2011

Mimi83 said:

... Wow! This is such a beautifully explained project! I'm a newbie to sewing and have been fortunate enough to inherit a Singer machine from my aunt. I'm dying to stitch a pretty cover for it and now I'm going to give this a go! I'm planning to coordinate it to accent my crafts room ... hopefully it'll be successful enough to post up photos. Thanks! I'm bookmarking your page !! xoxox

January 29, 2011

shira said:

... I'm going to do this project today ... I'll tell you if it turned out nice

January 28, 2011

Me said:

... Wow!! thanks friend useful

December 16, 2010

Myrna said:

... Is a greate idea!!! Wow, thank so much

September 22, 2010

alicia.thommas said:

... Pretty fabric is much classier than plastic! We agree. Glad you had success!

August 01, 2010

Georgia F said:

... I've had this bookmarked for...um...months, and I finally got around to it today! I love it; so much better than the cheap plastic one that came with my machine. Thanks so much!

August 01, 2010

Liz Johnson, Editor, Sew4Home said:

... LOL sahmcolorado! Awake for 6 months. Yes indeed - your sewing machine deserves a good night's rest

June 15, 2010

sahmcolorado said:

... Oh my gosh - my machine has not slept for 6 months! Perhaps I should whip up a cover.

June 14, 2010

Liz Johnson, Editor, Sew4Home said:

... You're welcome, pegger1, I'm glad you found the instructions easy to follow. Now your sewing machine can sleep

January 31, 2010

pegger1 said:

... I made this cover for my sewing machine. Very cute! Now, I need to cover the serger. Thanks so much for the clear instructions.

January 28, 2010

Liz Johnson, Editor, Sew4Home said:

... That's great! I LOVE this fabric. We have an ironing board cover project coming up soon. Stay tuned.

January 14, 2010

peggyann said:

... I need a new cover and it is the exact fabric I am going to use to recover my ironing board! How about that?!

January 12, 2010

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