"Tutorial" Sewing Machine Cover

Sewing Machine Cover made from a pair of used jeans. Follow the instructions below to make one for yourself. Be sure to read all the steps in the instructions before you begin so that you know what will come next and how easily it comes together.

Steps to Follow:

Get yourself a pair of used jeans (I used a size 14 pair of woman's jeans).

1. Cut the legs of the jeans off just below the crouch.2. Make sure the the bottom piece you cut is straight (see above photo) so you can either hem it or add trim later.

3. Stitch a straight line down inside front of the jeans just below the zipper to remove the crouch. Trim off the excess piece. (see photo below.)

4. Measure the waist of the jeans laying flat and add 1.5 inches to that measurement. (My waist measured 16" and I added 1.5 inches which made the total 17.5 inches*)

5. Mark a piece (using the leg of the jean) 5 inches in height by the length you measured *mine was 17.5 inches. (my piece was 5"x17.5") See photos below.

6. After you've cut this out, round off the four corners as shown in the photo below.

7. Make sure your jeans are inside out and pin the cut piece along the back of the waist just below the waist band. Sew along this piece, stitching just below the waist band. Tip: fold piece in half to measure your placement. Place fold on the center below the waist band and pin.

8. Now remove your pins from the back part and pin the front and sides, pinning darts down around the sides to round the corners on both sides. Now sew this part (just below the waist band) and you are done with the top part.

This photo shows it pinned down.

This photo also shows it pinned down with the darts around the corners.

This photo shows it sewn all around with the pins removed.

This photo shows it turned right side out and how it should look. As you can see in the photo, it's sewn below the waistband.

9. Sew the hem or add trim to the bottom edge and your sewing machine cover is complete.

10. Optional: add embroidery or applique to decorate your machine cover as you desire.

This is a really fun project and the pockets on both the front and back of the jeans add storage for your scissors, bobbins, etc. I hope you enjoy making one for yourself.

Machine Cover Challenge "Here's Mine"

What do you think Jenny? Last night I went to bed thinking how can I put together a quick cover for my machine to enter your giveaway and this morning the idea popped into my head the minute I woke up.

Use a pair of those jeans you have stashed away was my thought. Who doesn't like jeans (even my sewing machine could use a nice fitting pair). I have this large stash of jeans that I try to recycle, so I went right to it and picked out a pair of jeans I thought would make a cute cover.

I cut the legs off, cut out a piece to cover the top inside the waist band, added some trim to the bottom and embroidered "Love 2 Sew" on the bottom. The pockets in the front and back add storage for scissors, bobbins, etc.

I took pictures along the way and I'm going to put a tutorial together. When I finished I thought this is a quick and easy way to turn those old jeans into a cute skirt too.

Thanks for the challenge. I now have a machine cover for my Brother C-6000.

Check out the post below for more info on the challenge and giveaway - it ends 8/31.

Eye Glass Caddy

Last week I spent a few days at my daughters house while I was out of town and noticed that she had so many pairs of sunglasses hanging from her mirror from a scarf. I quickly got an idea to make a caddy for her to hang them on. When I got home, a whole week later, I was eagar to get back in my sewing room; my place of solitude. Don't you all feel like you need to do something creative to relax. I know I do. I put a simple pattern together in no time.

It took me less than 15 to 20 minutes to create the pattern and sew it together. It can hold up to a dozen pair of glasses. It can be hung from your mirror, a bed post, a peg or even a door knob, a great organization piece if I say so myself.

The project was fun and really easy, a great project for anyone

to make in a short period of time. Check out the Tutorial. I ended up making two and took quite a few

pictures to help guide you through to the finish. Believe me, this one is really easy.

I hung it from a wall hanging that I have to get a good picture of it. I was trying to get one hanging from the mirror but it wouldn't come out right and the strap wasn't long enough to go around the large square bed post on my bed.

The caddy is holding six pair of glasses and can easily hold several more.

Eye Glass Caddy Tutorial

Supplies: Piece of fabric 8x13 inches, 1/2 in wide twill tape or ribbon, and bias tape (2.75m double folded). Please read instructions all the way through so that you have an understanding of the steps. If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me. I hope you enjoy making the caddy. You won't believe how easy it is to make.

Cut a piece of Fabric 8 x 13 inches.

Fold it in half lengthwise and sew a 1/4 inch seam as shown creating a tube. (Leave both ends open.)

Turn right side out and press so that seam is in the center.

This picture shows what the front side should look like.

Picture of back side with seam in center.

Start pinning 1/2 inch Twill Tape approximately 1- 1/4 inch from the top and zig zag from side to side as shown till you get to the bottom. Cut off when you get to the bottom.

Fold in a 1/4 inch seam at the top and pin. This part will be sewn together when you stitch around to attach Twill Tape.

Pin top edge together as shown and described in previous photo.

Sew along the edge to hold the Twill Tape down. This will be covered when you put on the Bias Tape.

This picture shows how the caddy should look now. The bottom edge on the left is still open (it should not be sewn together). It will be sealed when you finish with the bias tape.

Cut a piece of card stock 3-1/4 x 11-1/2 inches. I used an old file folder. Any type of cardboard will do.

Slip it inside the caddy through the open end. You're almost done now.

After you've slipped the cardboard inside, flip it over to the side with the seam and stitch in the ditch. This will hold down the Twill Tape and make slots to insert the eye glasses when finished.

Your piece should look like this with the stitch down the middle. I rounded the corners of the unfinished side for ease when stitching the bias tape on.

Cut your bias tape approximately 48 inches long to go around the caddy and leave enough for the strap.

Start at the center of the bottom with the bias tape and begin sewing around. The wide side of the bias tape goes on the bottom and you stitch from the top. When you come to the top edge, sew along the bias tape to create the strap as shown below. Put a pin on the bias tape to mark the end of the strap.

TIP: Remember to leave enough bias tape to make it around the caddy to where you started. You can pin it if you like to be sure.

When you've sewn enough for the strap, insert the other side of the caddy under the bias tape and sew down to the bottom edge where you started and your done. See photo below.

Photo of where the bias tape should meet at the bottom of the caddy.

You're finished. Fill it with your glasses and make a few more for friends and family.

Photo of caddy being put to good use.

Leave me a comment if you make one for yourself. I'd love to see how yours turns out.