Thursday 19 July 2012

{Quick Tutorial} Sewing Machine Cover

My sewing machine doesn't get anywhere near the attention it deserves these days.  However, I still look longingly at it sat in the corner, wishing I had a few hours to spare to start some of the many projects I have going around in my head.

So imagine my complete disgust when I did set it up this morning and found a spider happily making it home in my beloved sewing machine!!!  I was mortified, so decided to get rid of Mr Skinny Legs (could have been Mrs, it didnt stick around long for me to ask) and do the only thing I could do, decide which fabric to use to make a sewing machine cover.

I've put together a quick tutorial so you can have a go at making your own.  


Sewing machine
White thread
Pins



1. Ok, this is how I worked out my measurements.  You'll need to cut two pieces from your fabric. For the first piece (the smallest piece) I measured to the highest point of my machine and the widest point at the side (where the handwheel is).  For the second piece (the biggest piece) I measured the widest point of the front of my machine then for the length I did two times the height of my machine plus the widest point at the side. Make sense??? (for those of you into equations, it would look something like this....h x 2 + w)

2. Cut two fabric pieces depending on your measurements.  My fabric measured 31 by 16 inches and the second piece 7 by 12 inches.  I allowed a 1/2 inch seam allowance throughout.  This will probably fit most machines if the above explanation confused you! 



3. Still with me??  Good.  Sew a 1/2 in hem around what will be your three open edges of your larger pieces of fabric (one long edge and both short edges).  You could line your cover with other fabric (or make it reversible!?) but for the purposes of this tutorial, I wanted to keep it simple.



4. Pin the second smaller piece of fabric, right side to right side, to the last long raw edge of the larger piece of fabric.  This will make the back panel that will give your cover shape and cover the part where your hand wheel is.  Sew into place using a half inch seam, carefully tucking and sewing across the corners, not leaving any gaps.


5.  Fit your cover over your machine and measure on both open edges where you would like your ribbon to fasten.  I used about 12 inches for each side so I could tie it in a nice bow.  Pin your ribbon in place and sew.  Two lines should do it, ensuring you back stitch to re-inforce your stitching, however you could also do a cross between the lines just to be sure.

6. Tie the ribbons and there you have it, one sewing machine all tucked up for the night and most importantly, safe from spiders!


Whats more, I now have this gorgeous fabric to stare at instead of just my white machine.  Not a bad thing!

I hope that all made sense and that you find the time to give it a go!  It really only took half an hour or so to do from start to finish.  Think the most difficult part is the measuring (my maths isnt the best).

Dont forget you can find all the materials I used over in the shop and if you give it a go, send us a picture!


Monday 16 July 2012

{In The Shop} New Florals and Fruit

There's always lots of excitement around here (for me anyway) when new fabrics arrive.  Needless to say I was over the moon when a BIG fabric order arrived last week with lots and lots of new florals, strawberry ginghams, spotty fabric and some gorgeous "shabby chic" style fabric with flowers and hearts.  Here are a few favourites....

Strawberry Gingham - Red
Cottage Garden - Petal Pink
Pretty Peonys - Biscuit
Elephants Parade - Sugar Pink
The Elephants Parade fabric also comes in Wine, Biscuit and Navy and would be perfect for any new baby makes.  These are just a few of our newest fabrics in.  Lots more still to be listed so make sure you check back soon!

Something else new...
Also new on our shelves are some ribbon bundles, carefully put together to match our fabrics and, hopefully, any makes you might find yourself making!!  We have five types, Blacks & Reds, Candy Floss Pinks, HoHoHo, Little Boy Blue and Spring Has Sprung.

Candy Floss Pinks
HoHoHo
Have a lovely week everyone!




Friday 6 July 2012

{Giveaway} And The Winner Is.....

Thank you so much to everyone that entered our giveaway.  Not only were there lot and lots (and lots) of entries but there were so many lovely comments about the tutorial, the fabrics and just the blog in general!  So thank you, it is very much appreciated that you take the time to comment and say such nice things.



So without anymore ramblings, the winner, as picked by the Random Generator is....

Which by our calculations is....


Pip @ Sock Yarn Shop

 
CONGRATULATIONS!!  An email will be on its way shortly.

We truly wish everyone who entered could win a prize.  Next time, we wont leave it so long to have another giveaway!   

 

Monday 2 July 2012

{Design Team} New Makes and A New Fabric


This months makes from our Design Team are a bit special for two reasons.  Firstly, they are different to anything I've seen (and I see a lot of crafty stuff!) and secondly, they use a fabric that is going on sale in our shop today!

This is what they were sent.....


Looks like a napkin, but it is a FQ of a new fabric to us Michael Miller's Mod Blooms in White and a metre of co-ordinating turquoise spotty ribbon

I think they will all agree this months was a more difficult one as the print on the fabric is quite large.  However, they did not disappoint and this months makes are all so different from each other!  Anyway, here's what they came up with....

Copyright Sweet Williams Soft Furnishings, Cards and Gifts
Emma at Sweet Williams made the most amazing fabric basket.  The pink spotty lining is a perfect match and sets off the flowers beautifully!  She also came up with a lavender bag and, having seen a fair few lavender bags in my time, I think its fair to say this modern fabric jazzes it up!  Both will be available to buy via Emma's facebook page. 

Copyright Sew Ray Me
Copyright Sew Ray Me
Rachael from Sew Ray Me also made two gorgeous makes this month and really showed off the fabric well.  Rachael used embroidery to make some of the detail really stand out (in her words, she picked some co-ordinating threads and just started sewing!).  She then backed it onto some gingham and made it into this really sweet notebook cover, using the ribbon as detail on the front and as a book mark.  

Copyright Sew Ray Me

Having some fabric left, Rachaels second make was some lovely lavender pouches and again, this fabric makes them look so modern.  She finished them off with little ribbon tags.  

Copyright Willowlane Designs
Lane over at Willowlane Designs came up with THE most adorable 0-3 month baby skirt.  She used the Mod Bloom fabric for the top layer and underneath made a co-ordinating green skirt, all with an elasticated waist.  What a fantastic idea, this fabric would make some amazing kids clothes for the summer (should the summer ever decide to make an appearance).  I got the chance to see this on its owner on the weekend and I think she liked it a lot!

Copyright Heartstitch
Elli from Heartstitch, inspired by how bright and sunny this fabric is, took her thoughts to sunny places and created this fantastic passport cover.

Copyright Heartstitch

Copyright Heartstitch
As Elli said, this project is small enough to finish in an hour or so but big enough to suit the print.  Such a unique make and so well made, a must for anyone going on holiday this year! 

Feeling inspired?!  We hope so.  Its been another month of dazzling talent from our Design Team!  Do pop over to their blogs to say hi. 


The new fabric is now in the shop and can be purchased here.  We'd love to see what you create with it!