Is your trusty sewing machine sitting out, gathering dust? Maybe you worry about it getting bumped or little hands getting curious. Well, I’ve got a super fun and easy project for you today! We’re going to learn how to make sewing machine cover that will keep your machine safe, clean, and looking stylish too.
You don’t need to be a sewing expert to make one. If you’re just starting out, this is a great project to practice your skills. And the best part? You can choose fabrics that you absolutely love to match your sewing space. Imagine a bright, cheerful cover that makes you smile every time you see it! So, grab your enthusiasm, and let’s get started on this simple sewing machine cover tutorial.
Why Your Sewing Machine Deserves a Cozy Cover
You might be thinking, “Do I really need a cover for my sewing machine?” Oh, yes! A good cover is like a little hug for your machine. Here’s why making one is a brilliant idea:
- Dust Buster: Dust is a sewing machine’s enemy! It can sneak into all the little parts and make your machine grumpy. A cover keeps it sparkling clean.
- Bump Protection: Little knocks and bumps can happen, especially if your machine is out in a busy room. A padded cover gives it a bit of a shield.
- Sun Shield: Did you know sunlight can sometimes fade the plastic on your machine over time? A cover keeps it looking new.
- Pretty & Tidy: Let’s be honest, a custom cover just looks nice! It makes your sewing area look neater and more organized. Plus, it hides all the cords when you’re not using it.
- Keeps Little Fingers Away: If you have curious kids or pets, a cover can help keep them from playing with knobs, needles, or threads.
Making your own DIY sewing machine cover means you get all these good things, and you get to say, “I made that!”
Getting Ready: What You’ll Need for Your Cover
Before we dive into the fun part of sewing, let’s gather our supplies. You don’t need a lot of fancy stuff.
Choosing Your Fabric
This is where you can get really creative! You’ll need a few types of fabric:
- Main Fabric: This is the pretty fabric that will be on the outside of your cover. Choose something sturdy like cotton, canvas, or even a nice quilting cotton. Think about colors and patterns you love! Some people even design their own fabric on sites like Spoonflower to get a truly unique look with sewing themes or favorite colors.
- Lining Fabric: This fabric goes on the inside. A simple cotton fabric works perfectly. It can match your main fabric or be a fun surprise color.
- Stabilizer (Optional, but nice!): To give your cover some shape and a bit of padding, you can use a foam stabilizer or a thick interfacing. This helps your cover stand up nicely and gives extra protection.
Here’s a little table to help you think about fabric:
| Fabric Type | Why It’s Good | Tip for Beginners |
|---|---|---|
| Main Fabric | Shows off your style, durable | Medium-weight cotton is easy to sew. |
| Lining Fabric | Protects inside, finishes neatly | Lightweight cotton is great. |
| Foam Stabilizer | Adds shape, padding, and a professional look | Choose one made for bags or crafts. |
Essential Tools
Here are the other bits and bobs you’ll need:
- Sewing Machine: Of course!
- Thread: Choose a color that matches or contrasts nicely with your fabric. All-purpose polyester thread is a good choice.
- Fabric Scissors: Sharp scissors just for fabric make cutting easy.
- Measuring Tape: To get your machine’s measurements right.
- Pins: To hold your fabric pieces together.
- Fabric Marker or Chalk: To draw your cutting lines. Make sure it’s one that will wash out or fade.
- Iron and Ironing Board: Pressing your seams makes a big difference!
Measuring Up: Getting the Right Fit
To make a cover that fits your machine perfectly, we need to take some measurements. Don’t worry, it’s easy!
- Height: Measure from the very bottom of your machine to its highest point.
- Width: Measure from one side of your machine to the other, at its widest point. Make sure to include things like the handwheel on the side and the bobbin winder on top if they stick out.
- Depth (or Length): Measure from the front of your machine to the very back.
Super Important Tip: Once you have your measurements, we need to add a little extra. This is for two reasons:
- Seam Allowance: This is the little bit of fabric that gets used up when you sew seams. We’ll add about 1 inch (or 2.5 cm) to each measurement for this.
- Wiggle Room: You want the cover to slide on and off easily, not be super tight. So, add another 1/2 inch to 1 inch (or 1.5 to 2.5 cm) to your width and depth for this “ease.” This makes your custom machine cover much more user-friendly.
Let’s say your machine measures:
- Height: 12 inches
- Width: 16 inches (including handwheel)
- Depth: 7 inches
Your cutting measurements might look something like this after adding for seams and ease (this is just an example, use your machine’s numbers!):
| Measurement | Your Machine | Seam Allowance + Ease | Final Cut Size (Example) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Height | 12 inches | + 1 inch | 13 inches |
| Width | 16 inches | + 2 inches | 18 inches |
| Depth | 7 inches | + 2 inches | 9 inches |
Write down your final numbers so you don’t forget!
Cutting Your Fabric: The Blueprint for Your Cover
Now it’s time to cut out your fabric pieces. You’ll generally need these main parts for your protective sewing cover:
- Front Panel: Height x Width
- Back Panel: Height x Width (same as the front)
- Side Panels (x2): Height x Depth
- Top Panel: Width x Depth
So, using our example numbers from above:
- Front/Back Panels: 13 inches tall x 18 inches wide
- Side Panels (x2): 13 inches tall x 9 inches wide
- Top Panel: 18 inches wide x 9 inches deep
Cut these pieces from:
- Your Main Fabric
- Your Lining Fabric
Special note for Lining: The source video had a cool idea! For the lining pieces, you can add an extra half-inch to the height of the front, back, and side panels. This allows a little bit of the lining to peek out at the bottom edge, creating a nice border when your cover is finished. It’s a neat touch!
If you’re using Foam Stabilizer: Cut your foam pieces the same size as your main fabric panels, BUT then trim off about 1/2 inch (or 1.25 cm) from all around each edge of the foam. This is because foam can be very thick in the seams. Cutting it a bit smaller makes sewing much easier, especially at the corners.
Iron your fabric pieces so they are nice and flat before you start sewing.
Let’s Start Sewing! Step-by-Step Guide to Your Cover
This is where the magic happens! We’re going to put all those pieces together to learn how to make sewing machine cover. Take your time, and enjoy the process. A common seam allowance for projects like this is 3/8 of an inch, but you can use 1/2 inch if you prefer – just be consistent.
H3: Prepping Your Pieces (Optional but Nice!)
Before sewing the main body, you can add some cool features:
- Add a Handle: Cut a rectangle of main fabric (e.g., 9.5 inches by 4 inches). Fold it, press it, and topstitch the edges to make a strap. Sew this handle securely to the center of your Top Panel (main fabric). You can sew a box shape with an “X” in the middle for extra strength.
- Add Pockets: Pockets are super handy for storing small tools! Cut rectangles for pockets from your main fabric. Finish the top edge of the pocket (you can fold it over twice and stitch, or use pretty bias tape). Then, pin the pockets to your Side Panels (main fabric) and stitch around the other three sides. You could put pockets on the front too, but sometimes that hides a pretty fabric design.
Assembling the Main Cover Body (Outer Shell)
- Sides to Front: Take one Side Panel (main fabric) and your Front Panel (main fabric). Place them with the “pretty” sides of the fabric facing each other. Pin along one of the long (height) edges. Sew this seam.
- Other Side to Front: Take the other Side Panel and pin it to the other long edge of the Front Panel (pretty sides together). Sew this seam. You now have a piece that looks like: Side-Front-Side.
- Attach Back Panel: Now, take your Back Panel. Pin one long edge of the Back Panel to the free long edge of one of your Side Panels (pretty sides together). Sew. Then, pin and sew the other long edge of the Back Panel to the free long edge of the other Side Panel. You should now have a sort of open-ended box shape.
- Press Your Seams: Open up the seams you just sewed and press them flat with your iron. This makes everything neater.
Adding the Top Panel to the Body
This can be the trickiest bit, so go slow!
- Pin Carefully: With your main cover body still “pretty” side out, take your Top Panel (main fabric). You need to attach this to the top edges of the cover body. Start by matching one corner of the Top Panel to one top corner of the cover body, pretty sides together. Pin it.
- Work Around: Carefully pin the Top Panel all the way around the top opening of the cover body. You’ll need to ease the fabric around the corners. It helps to clip little notches into the seam allowance of the cover body at the corners to help it lay flat, but be careful not to cut your stitching line!
- Sew Slowly: Sew the Top Panel to the cover body. When you get to a corner, stop with your needle down in the fabric, lift your presser foot, turn the fabric, lower the presser foot, and then continue sewing. Using your machine’s handwheel to go stitch by stitch around corners can be very helpful, especially if you have foam stabilizer making it bulky.
- Tip for Bulk: If your machine struggles with thick layers, try placing a folded scrap of fabric of similar thickness under the back of your presser foot to help it glide over the bulk.
Turn your outer shell right side out. It should look like a sewing machine cover now! You can topstitch around the four vertical seams where the sides meet the front/back, and also around where the top panel joins the body. This helps it hold its shape and looks professional.
Creating the Lining
Now, you’re going to do almost the exact same thing with your Lining Fabric pieces.
- Sew the lining Side Panels to the lining Front Panel.
- Sew the lining Back Panel to the lining Side Panels to make the open-ended box.
- Sew the lining Top Panel to the lining body.
- VERY IMPORTANT: When you sew the lining Top Panel to the lining body, leave a gap of about 4 to 6 inches unsewn on one of the long sides. This is how we will turn the whole cover right side out later! Remember to backstitch at the start and end of this opening to secure it.
Do NOT turn the lining right side out. Leave it with the “wrong” sides (seams) facing out.
Putting It All Together
- Bag Inside Bag: Take your Main Fabric Cover (which should be right side out – pretty sides showing). Take your Lining Fabric Cover (which should be wrong side out – seams showing).
- Place Lining Inside: Carefully put the Main Fabric Cover inside the Lining Fabric Cover. It might feel a bit strange, but this is right! The “pretty” sides of both the main cover and the lining should now be facing each other.
- Align Edges: Match up the bottom raw edges of the main cover and the lining. Align the side seams carefully and pin all around this bottom opening.
- Sew the Bottom: Sew all the way around this bottom edge, joining the main cover to the lining.
The Big Reveal: Turning and Finishing
- Turn It Out: Reach into the gap you left in the lining’s top panel. Gently start pulling the main cover through this hole. Go slowly and carefully. It will look like a bit of a mess, but keep going!
- Poke Out Corners: Once it’s all turned, use a blunt tool (like a chopstick or a point turner) to gently poke out all the corners so they are nice and crisp.
- Close the Gap: Find that opening in the lining. Tuck the raw edges in neatly and either hand-stitch it closed with a slip stitch (for an invisible finish) or carefully topstitch it closed on your machine very close to the edge. Since this is inside the lining, it doesn’t have to be perfect.
- Push Lining Inside: Push the lining down neatly inside the main cover.
- Final Press: Give your finished sewing machine cover a good press with the iron, especially around the bottom edge. You can even topstitch around the bottom edge for a super neat finish if you like!
Awesome Tips for a Super Sewing Machine Cover
- Fabric Choice is Fun: Don’t be afraid to use bright, bold prints! This is your chance to add personality.
- Measure Twice, Cut Once: This old saying is so true. Double-check your measurements before cutting.
- Pressing is Key: Ironing your seams as you go makes a huge difference to the final look.
- Take Your Time with Corners: Corners can be tricky. Go slow, use your handwheel, and don’t be afraid to adjust.
- Stabilizer Placement: Remember, if using thick foam, cutting it slightly smaller than your fabric pieces (without seam allowance) helps reduce bulk in the seams.
FAQs
How to keep the sewing machine last longer?
Keep your machine clean. Use a good cover. Oil it if the book says so. Take it for a check-up sometimes. This helps it work well for a long time.
How much fabric to make a sewing machine cover?
It depends on how big your machine is. First, measure your machine carefully. You’ll need fabric for the outside part. You’ll also need fabric for the inside lining. For most machines, about 1 to 2 yards of fabric should be plenty. The article above helps you measure!
How to protect a sewing machine?
A cover is the best way. It keeps dust out. It stops little bumps. Store your machine in a safe place. Keep it dry too.
How do I keep my sewing machine in good condition?
Clean out the lint often. Change your needle when it’s old. Use the right kind of thread. Always put its cover on when you’re done sewing. Reading your machine’s little book helps too.
What is the lifespan of a sewing machine?
A sewing machine can last many, many years. Some work for 5 years, some for over 25 years! If you take good care of it, it will last much longer. Even old machines can sew great if they are cared for.
Your Machine Will Thank You!
Pat yourself on the back! You’ve just learned how to make sewing machine cover that’s practical and pretty. No more dusty machine! Now it has its own custom-made cozy home. This project is a fantastic way to practice basic sewing skills, and you end up with something really useful.
This DIY sewing machine cover not only protects your valuable tool but also adds a lovely touch to your creative space. You’ll smile every time you see it, knowing you made it yourself.
Ready to give it a go? Pick out some lovely fabric, follow these simple steps, and create a beautiful and protective sewing cover for your machine. Happy sewing, and may your bobbins always be full!
We’d love to see your finished sewing machine covers! Share a picture or tell us about your project in the comments below. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!
