sewing machine cover: a cautionary tale

A few weeks ago, do. Good Stitches set up a swap for all of the circle hosts.  I have never participated in a swap, so I was excited but a little nervous.  I decided to make a sewing machine cover using this pattern from Empty Bobbin.  I have had it sitting around for a while with the intention of making a cover for myself, but it was pretty far down on the priority list.

I was initially inspired by the colors in this quilt and I decided to make some string blocks using similar colors.  The pattern came together easily and I was happy with how everything was going.

 Until it came to cutting the holes in the cover to make it deeper (I don't know what they are called).  I totally cut them on the wrong side.  I was so sad.  I remember thinking, "That doesn't really make sense, but maybe it will make more sense once I cut them."  Ha ha, nope.

Oops.  Maybe I could have made it work, but I didn't think I would be very happy with the results so I decided to start over.  At first I thought I would just replicate the original, but then I thought maybe I would try something new.  I am glad that I did because I think I like version 2.0 better.


I made the center panel using a giant improv chevron (tutorial here).  After I trimmed the chevron in the center down to the right width, I flipped the leftovers over and sewed them back on.  I wasn't sure how well this would work but I am pretty happy with the results.

 My partner's machine isn't exactly the same size as mine so it should fit hers a little differently. But you get the idea.

The pattern is great and I would definitely recommend it.  I did make the center panel a little wider than the pattern calls for (mine was 10.5" unfinished).  My only complaint is that the cover doesn't go all the way down to the table.  I guess a little short is better than being too long, but next time I would make the pattern an inch or so longer.