Now you don't!
I've been meaning to make a cover for my sewing machine for ages, particularly since I started spreading my crafting wears out and about onto various surfaces in the living room (my stash is spilling out of the linen box I've been using to house everything). Poor number 2 son had lots of homework to do this afternoon so whilst I was sitting helping him along the way (NB why do 9 year olds have to have so much homework?) I decided to get going with the cover. I heard or read a great sewing motto the other day - something along the lines of "Measure Twice, Sew Once" so I measured my machine, again and again. I was roughly working to the guide that I had read at http://chezlarsson.typepad.com/myblog/2008/10/sewing-machine-cover-how-to.html so was confident that I had covered all areas. I added on seam allowances, thought I might do a flashy seam at the bottom so added a bit more on and then cut the first piece of fabric. I've told you before that my straight lines leave something to be desired but they were OK today. But the piece of fabric I had cut was clearly far too small. I had mis-measured everything! Don't ask me how - I think I hadn't taken into account that the cover needed to be a little loose. So I re-measured, adjusted for seam allowances etc, added a cm on each measurement to allow some movement and then - in a moment of inspiration - cut the pieces from some old curtain lining fabric that I had decided to use as a lining (I had initially thought I might make a quilted cover but decided against it). Sense at last! I pinned the piece together and tried the cover for fit and it was perfect. So I used those pieces as a pattern to cut the main fabric from and then pieced everything together and - voila! Dare I say it is a bit too loose now? Not that I mind - at least there is plenty of room for me to pick the machine up using the handle whilst it's still covered. And I love this fabric and can now look at it everyday which is a bonus. A job ticked off the To Do List!
I've also been making a few more hanging hearts for my craft fair stock. I made a few lavender hearts
and I also made a couple of the felt ones
It was a bit windy when I was taking these photos, hence the peculiar way the hearts are hanging. If anyone recognises the pink cupcake material in the centre of the photo of lavender hearts, could you let me know where I could buy more? I bought a yard of it at a craft fair last year and have used it for quite a few projects but I've now run out of it and I'd love some more.
As always, I'll be linking up with Handmade Monday at http://handmadeharbour.blogspot.co.uk/ so do pop over there and catch up with everyone.
Hope you have a great week,
Love Natalie
I just love the smell of lavendar, your hearts look really pretty too. Joan
ReplyDeleteThe hearts look lovely. Well done on the machine cover, too - mistakes are just part of the learning curve!
ReplyDeleteGreat cover for the machine - less dusting to do too :) I really like the buttons on the hearts :) No I don't know why 9yr olds have so much home work but I figure that 30 -40mins is enough. xx
ReplyDeleteAnother person making a nice cover for her machine! Mine think I don't love then enough as I keep saying I'll do it but haven't yet. Not seen quite that cup cake fabric around as most are cup cakes at odd angles, sorry.
ReplyDeleteWell done on getting your cover made. The fabric is lovely.
ReplyDeleteDon't worry it isn't just you who has problems measuring things. I blame the sewing gremlins. They put spells on tape measures !!! xx
I think I'm going to have to make a cover for my machine - I will measure three times before sewing though! It looks lovely as do the hearts. I love the fabric ones, they look so pretty. x
ReplyDeleteyay! you got there in the end and your cover looks fab :)
ReplyDeleteI just spotted your fab socks all finished on the post below... the look amazing, well done! x
It looks great - very smart. Love your hearts too. Hope you have a good week.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea to make a machine cover. I may have to make one, as my sewing machine gets everso dusty.
ReplyDeleteLovely work. Hope they sell well at your next fair
ReplyDeleteAnna x
Love the machine cover and the hearts :)
ReplyDeleteThe hearts look really cute and your sewing table looks waaayyyy neater than my pile of sewing toot in the corner of my room, even before you did the lovely machine cover!
ReplyDeleteYou've reminded me that I need to make sewing machine covers too (I have two machines)! I love the fabric you've used. Your hearts are lovely too.
ReplyDeleteHow can your sewing table be so neat *wails* The cover looks great... and spurs me on to sort out one for my three :)
ReplyDelete