Sewing Machine cover too short - Help

I just spent the better part of today making a sewing machine cover from 5x5 charm squares, and after putting it all together - I discover it is too short. Even when I put the binding on it's still going to be way too short. I know there must be something I can do, but I am such a newbie to sewing, I just don't know what that would be. The pattern called for 24 charms....4 across and 6 down.....and I'm thinking it could have been at least 7 down because it's at least 2 inches short all around. If anyone out there is old enough to remember when we had covers on all our appliances in the kitchen, this is made very much like the toaster cover. I sure would appreciate any suggestions you girls might have.
Carol in MD

Can you post a picture? Do you have any more matching or coordinating fabric?

What about a border then adding wide lace like a frilly bottom? I made all mine from scraps so kept adding until they covered, sorry I can't help more!

If it is 2 inches too short, how about cutting some charm squares in half and adding them to the bottom as rectangles instead of squares? Or a band of coordinating fabric would work, too. Pictures, please.

Not sure if I did this right, but hopefully you're seeing the pictures below. Now please don't look too closely at my quilting.....I'm brand new to this!!!!


Attachment 51141Attachment 51142

You are on the right track.....just need to add another row...or at least a partial row to lengthen the whole cover. What bright colors in your fabric.....makes a happy cover!

I would probably put a wide solid color border around the bottom. Something that matches one of the colors in your charm squares.
LOVE your colors!

Okay, the real answer to your question of how to do this is ... you are going to have to add it as a quilt as you go method.

Make a band of batting the width of the additional inches needed. For example I am going to say 2 inches. By band I mean measure the length you need from one side seam, all the way around to the same side seam. zig zag the ends together, not overlapping, but butted up against each other. Now, zig zag this band of batting to the bottom of your cover.
On the outside of your cover place the additional fabric, whether you choose to do more charm squares or a solid band, right sides together with your cover. This fabric should also be in a continuous band. On the inside of your cover place a band of your lining fabric, right sides together. Slide the band of batting you attached over the arm of your sewing machine. Stitch through the additional fabrics and your cover, 1/4" from the edge. Fold down (over the newly attached batting) both the outside and inside bands of fabric. Your cover should now be long enough. Maybe run a couple lines of stitching around the added band and then bind.

Hopefully this makes sense.

Thanks everyone for all your kind comments and help. And, yes K McEuen your little tutorial does make sense, well sort of - LOL. I'm going to print out your instructions and give it a whirl, probably not for a couple of days now, lots of errands to run, but I'll post pics when finished. Thank you all soooooo much.

C

I immediately thought of wide lace, too. Or maybe satin ribbon.

A ruffle would be cute too! I can tell you why it turned out short like that. If the machine were in a cabinet, your cover would not be short at all, it would be tabletop length, as it should be.

I thought you might want to see the finished product.....it's very poorly done, but.....hey it'll still keep the dust off. Attachment 51344

I think it is a most excellent recovery! I like it!

Sounds like a good reason to buy a new machine to me :)

we need a picture , but I would just add a row of charms all around the bottom and hem.

As someone said to me earlier.....you made lemonade out of lemons!! What a great cover! I really need to make one for mine and will keep this in mind....since mine sits on a tabletop and not in a cabinet. Love the bright colors....just like something I would pick.

Well done, that looks great now.

Mazzer

Carol, I love it and think it looks like you planned it that way all along! No one but you (and the ladies here) would know there had been an oopsy moment!

the end result looks fantastic! nice job!

ooh! Love the pom-poms! I wouldn't of thought of using them! You did a great job, can't wait to see what your next project is.

Hugs,

Carol, don't be so hard on yourself and your project! It will keep the dust off and brighten up your sewing space! Cute and happy! The pom-pom trim adds a new touch, too! On to the next project!!!

BTW....where did you get the pattern for this?? If I want to make one, I'm thinking I need a pattern! lol

Terri,
I found the pattern online at
Sew Delicious: Quilted Sewing Machine Cover - Tutorial
I didn't do any measuring, just followed the pattern instructions......and as you see I had to do a lot of tweaking to get it to the right length.
Hope this helps
C

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Carol336

Terri,
I found the pattern online at
Sew Delicious: Quilted Sewing Machine Cover - Tutorial
I didn't do any measuring, just followed the pattern instructions......and as you see I had to do a lot of tweaking to get it to the right length.
Hope this helps
C

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Thanks so much! Will bookmark it....as I have sooooo many things that I want to do! lol BUT maybe a sewing machine cover should be the first thing that I do! Appreciate your help and have learned from your oops! :D I have had and am sure I will have many of my own.

its cute could it be something else or add to it

Great job!! Love it! I really need to make one for my machine and my serger!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Carol336

I thought you might want to see the finished product.....it's very poorly done, but.....hey it'll still keep the dust off. Attachment 51344

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It turned out great! You did a wonderful job and it looks stylish as well!

Love the way you solved the problem. I think it looks fantastic.