Are you ready to sew along with me?
Hello, Happy Stitchers! The time has come to discuss a dirty little secret many of us are holding onto: we’ve got naked sewing machines! Are you guilty of this one, too? Don’t be embarrassed; it’s a wide-spread problem in our community!
Many of us probably bought a sewing machine that didn’t come with a case or cover. Maybe you bought a hard case, but do you use it every day, or only when you travel with your machine? Are you letting your machine remain uncovered on your sewing table, or possibly still using a boring plastic cover that came in the box?
It’s time for this epidemic of naked sewing machines to come to an end. Do we need an intervention? Maybe not, but we definitely need a sew-along!
I’ve put together a great pattern for a sewing machine cover. This protective cover will keep your machine clean, which is essential if you want it to keep working for you, project after project. If you leave your machine exposed, little bits of dust, thread, pet hair, and debris can get into the gears, and over time it will break as a result. Keeping your machine covered is one easy way to prolong its life, and sewing a cover like this one is fun to boot!
So, who’s with me?
Sewing Machine Cover Sew Along
Here are the details:
- What: A sewing machine cover sew-along, featuring a FREE pattern download from The Sewing Loft
- When: Next week! February 2nd – February 6th
- Where: Right here – The Sewing Loft Blog
- Who: Anyone is welcome to play along! If you’re comfortable with basic sewing techniques and applique, then this project is for you!
If you’d like to participate, it’s time to gather your supplies and plan your sewing time. The sew-along will run each day next week, giving you the project piece by piece so you can space out your sewing and participate along with us, or wait until the end and do everything all at once.
Now it’s time to dive through your stash or head to the local fabric shop and gather your supplies. Here’s what you’ll need for the sewing machine cover sew along.
Supplies/tools:
- Sewing Machine
- Free Motion Transparent Foot
- 8 oz Canvas Drop Cloth or 3/4 yard of medium weight fabric*
- Heat Erasing Pen
- Heat n Bond Lite
- 6 1/2” Clear Quilter’s Ruler
- Basic Sewing Supplies
- Coordinating thread
- Scrap Fabrics
- 63” of binding
*For those of you interested in using a fun printed quilter’s cotton, the fabric consumption is based on a 44″ width.
Please note: We are sewing a machine cover with finished dimensions of approximately 11 1/2 inches high by 16.5 inches wide by 6 1/2 inches deep. Measure your machine now! If it doesn’t fit within these dimensions, you will have to adjust the size you cut your pattern pieces in the first step on Monday.
I hope you’ll consider covering up that naked machine sew along with us! Leave a note in the comments if you plan to play, and if you have any questions.
Sew Along Line Up
Day 1: Announcement & Material List
Day 2: Cutting Out
Day 3: Applique Template
Day 4: Stitching Together
Day 5: Details
Hello! Are you new to The Sewing Loft?
If so, I’m glad you stopped by and hope that something has inspired you to keep your needle moving! Don’t miss a single project and subscribe via email HERE! Bonus- free embroidery pattern with newsletter sign up. Another great way to connect with me is via Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Google+ or Follow along with Bloglovin. I’m looking forward to getting to know you and creating together!
Comments & Reviews
I can’t seem to find the pattern? I would like to sew a cover for my machine
That’s great Karen. The pattern will be shared next week during the sew along. Can’t wait to see yours finished!
~Heather
Yep, I’m in too!
Hi, Is it to late to participate in the sewing machine cover sew along.
You are not too late at all! The fun starts Monday.
~Heather
Oh dear… I four naked babies downstairs…. Can I adapte this for Pippa, my mid-arm Powerquilter too? She’s a little bigger…Well, Sergei does have a plastic cover, and Bernie has a drape, so please keep the info coming….they all need a coat….
How fun! I would love to join in 🙂
I definitely will be part of this sew along. Looking forward to joining in from the UK. Thank you for sharing this project x
Oh yes Heather I would like to sew along…I need a new one for my older machine…It is over 25=+ the cover that is….I find such cute things to make,,,and never cover…….So I will see you on 2/2……
I would love to make one! I think my girls would love seeing this one. (I teach sewing… I love cute things for the girls.). Plus, I haven’t done applique in… too many years. Thanks for offering this sewalong.
Oh this is exciting!! I have 4 ‘naked’ machines that I use regularly & they either have the hard plastic cover or the vinyl cover I bought just to keep the dust out. I’ve always wanted something to match them up since they’re all sitting side-by-side, but couldn’t find what I wanted. Thanks, Heather – can’t wait till Monday!
Well Brenda, we have to get those girls covered up!
Excited to have you join the fun.
~Heather
I plan to join. I will be heavy on mods because I’ll be covering a HuskyLock. It’s one of my 2015 goals so I’m pretty excited about the extra motivation of a sew along.
I would like to participate in the sew along .
I’m in! I’m going to go really wild and stashbust TWO…one for my machine, one for my serger:)
I can’t wait to get started. Hopefully my computer will keep working so I’ll be able to follow along.
Is the follow along only going to be presented at a certain time each day or can I see it and follow along at anytime on that particular day.
You can follow along any time MJ. And if for some reason you miss a day or want to wait to the end you can.
~Heather
Yes, I want to sew along with you on the sewing machine cover. I think it is very pretty, and my machine needs something other than the plastic one that I have.
Something I’ve always planned to make….count me in!
I am game. Thank you.
At what time will this encounter be? I live in Chile and would love to set up my time for when you are on line. Or will you just post the instructions? Please let me know. Txs.
Hello Elena,
Each day the instructions will go live and you will be able to see them here. No need to adjust your schedule.
~Heather
Sounds like fun. I’m in
As all sewing machines are slightly different in size, and there are plenty of people with sergers (I’m one of them), are you going to address the issue of fit and how to alter your pattern?
Hello Heather,
The first post will cover how to measure your machine and make slight pattern adjusts to customize. Plus, you can leave me a note if you come across any questions during the process and I will get back to you.
~Heather
Awesome! Thanks! I’m *sew* very excited! My machines have been naked for far too long!
Heather — I replied to this today, but now the comment is not here. Just wanted to let you know that I’m excited about this & can’t wait till Monday. Thanks for offering!
Jumping in. Oh! What fun…
I need one too! Hopefully my days aren’t too full to join along.
I NEED this. Thank you
Sounds like a lot of fun! My machine has been naked for too long so yes I am in!
I will look from my IPad, but how long will the directions be available. I am gone the 1st thru the 8th and maybe not able to download?
No worries about missing it Nancy, the instructions will stay live on the site.
~Heather
I would love to joy, have a lovely new machine in need of a cardi! My last cover i made i put handles on it like a bag so I could use it upside down to carry my machine to class
I’m in – I have three machines covered with bits of plastic and t-towels!
This is great, I will color coordinate all of my machines with new do’s and they will all match. Appreciate the follow along.
I’m in as well, I have two machines covered by plastic and my poor serger with a towel!
After I finished this one Sharon, my serger is next! That baby gets tucked away in the closet when not in use and needs some love.
~Heather
Heather I have some gorgeous cotton in my stash that is supposed to be a bag but I don’t like patterned bags. It is a lightweight cotton, so how firm should the interfacing be, eg will the Pellon be enough?
Hello Sharon,
This cover is stitched from a medium weight canvas so it does not need additional interfacing but if you are planning on stitching with something lightweight, I would definitely add it. Pellon comes in all different weights so, I would just pick one that provides the handfeel that you are happy with.
Can’t wait to see how your cover looks!
~Heather
Oh well…that looks promising! And I would really love to join in, otherwise this kind of project keeps being delayed.. 🙂
Fun idea! Added to my social sewing calendar http://swoodsonsays.com/sew-a-long-calendar/
Looking forward to participating with the sew along.
Excited to give this a try! Look forward to seeing if I can really complete this project. Thanks so much for the chance to be included.
Maybe I will actually get one made. I’ve had a pattern to do it but haven’t. Quilting calls me too often to stop and cover that naked machine.
I’m in! Very excited to get started.
I’d like to cover my ancient Bernina.
WHAT IS A FREE MOTION TRANSPARENT FOOT..
Looking forward to this. I need to make a Machine cover as a Valentine’s Day gift for my Mother’s machine I gave her for Christmas 😉
I have been putting off making a cover for my machine. I will be following along
Fun idea. And I need one. Not sure I’ll be able to follow along day by day, but hopefully I will catch up by the end.
This looks like fun! I’d like a new cover for my sweet machine!
I plan to join you.
Hi, I plan to join, but I like to do projects all at once.
I am with ya. I have wanted to make one for several years!
I’ll try!
Going to try to sew along, sounds like fun & I really do need a cover.
This is just what I need to make – wonderful…. 🙂
I’ll be here to,join in on this fun project!
Yes! I hope to make matching, or at least coordinating, covers for my sewing machine and serger. It’s been put off too long.
Would love to give it a try!
I just read your blog and at this late date I don’t know if I will be able to join or not. But I do have a couple of questions. For one I don’t have a Free Motion Transparent Foot. Do I have to have it? And two, what is Heat Erasing Pen? Thank you for taking the time to put on the sewing machine sew along. I would love to join. I hope I can fit it in. I love your blog and read everyone. Thank you for all your posts.
It’s never too late. We’d love to have you! The fun begins tomorrow.
~Heather
“m in. I need a cover for my serger and a new cover to replace the plastic one on my sewing machine.
I’m naked too- please let me sew something to cover me!
I’m in! Sounds like a fun project!
Would love to join in
I need to make this!
I would like to give it a try too! Not sure of what all the supplies are, but guess I will find out Monday. Is there a start time?
Yes I’m playing! Can’t wait to get started.
I’m in! Been putting this off for WAY TOO LONG!!! Love the idea of sewing along with everyone! Maybe I’ll actually finish it!!! Maybe you all can shame me into it!!! Gotta get some fabric – OH BOY, a trip to the fabric store! I love this idea already!!!!!!!! Oh I have lots of fabric, but you don’t actually want me to cut it up do you!?!
Oh dear! my embroidery machine is naked!! So I better join in!! I can’t wait! See you later today….
Ok this sounds like something I can work out with my beginner skills… I’m a visual learner so i hope I can follow along with ease lol
I’m going to give it a try!
if my sewing machine is naked, need a dress!!!
I want to participate , but I don’t know when or how
Hello Sondra,
We are happy to have you stitch along with us. You can catch up with our first post here. https://thesewingloftblog.com/2015/01/27/sewing-machine-cover-sew-along/
Can not wait to see your finished cover!
~Heather
This will be a lot of fun. I’m in.
I know its already Tuesday and I don’t have the time to actually sew with everyone this week. But can I still get in on the pattern?
You sure can Donna. The “Stitch Me” pattern template is available free to download. Be sure to share a few pictures once you get your cover all stitched up.
~Heather
You did a GREAT job on the free motion quilting and this newbie is ready for more!
THANK YOU!
Thank you Kathy! Free motion is quickly becoming my favorite past time.
~Heather
FUN! FUN! COUNT ME IN :))
I can’t access the pattern either and I would really like to participate in the sew along! Help!!!
Hello Marit,
The pattern template was shared in today’s post. You can find the template link here. It is free to download. https://thesewingloftblog.com/2015/02/03/sewing-machine-cover-sew-along-day-2/
I can’t wait to see your fabric selections!
~Heather
Hi I started the sew along but didn’t get the instructions for day3 and 4, how can I get them?
I’m sorry Val, it looks like they were not linked. I have updated the post and each day/step is there. Feel free to subscribe to our RSS here: https://thesewingloftblog.com/subscribe-to-the-sewing-loft/ and never miss a project again.
I can’t wait to see your finished cover!
~Heather