Friday, September 10, 2010

Project: Printer Cover

Did you know Sept 10 is Sewing Machine Day? So is June 13. Who knew?

Anywho, I have this habit of starting new projects but never finishing. It's pretty bad... I pile them into my sewing cabinet and think to myself, "I'll finish this later, I don't need to label it." WRONG-O! I realize now that would have been so simple to just tie all the pieces together with some scrap fabric or ribbon and a little reminder note like, "Hi! I'm a tablecloth. Please don't forget to finish me!"


After such a long week, I'm excited to get to break out the sewing machine and actually FINISH a project! Or two... but I don't want to get ahead of myself.

I don't know about you, but my rooms serve multiple purposes: ie- my dining room is also my office and sewing room and opens right into my kitchen. I hate looking at my printer day in and day out, not to mention all the cat and dog hair that ends up clogging the ink cartridge (yuck!) So... why not make it pretty?

Project: Printer Cover
Level of difficulty: Easy
Time: 45 minutes


First, measure your printer. Mine is a huge thing that I love (when it works...) but I hate its size! 17 inches x 11 inches x 6 inches. Then, choose your fabric!


I opened my closet and took out a yard of Heather Bailer's Pop Garden. Isn't she gorgeous? I couldn't decide how to cut it: mat, ruler and rotary cutter? ruler, pencil and scissors? strip cutting machine? Whatever suits your fancy!

Cut your top, and add 1/4" for seam allowance! (17 1/2" x 11 1/2")
Next, cut your sides, and don't forget seam allowance! (2: 17 1/2" x 6 1/2" and 2: 11 1/2 " x 6 1/2")


Time to sew! If I was taking my time, I would have matched up the pattern on the fabric. I was just so excited to sew, I kind of forgot!


Turn under 1 (long) side of each of your 4 side pieces. Make sure that the good side faces out! This will create the finished edge. You can be all fancy and press and pin, or just freehand. A 1/4" foot is a lifesaver! Invest in one. Trust me.



Now, sew the 4 side pieces together (wrong sides together, 6 1/4" long at this point). Also, sew from the finished edge up, so that way your "hem" matches all the way around.

*If you tend to get excited and rush, like me, make sure to have a seam ripper on hand! Oops!*


Now, 1 side at a time and wrong sides together, sew it to the top piece. When you hit the edge, do a little backstitching to hold the stitch and remove from the machine. Add the next side and repeat. Do this 2 more times.

Turn right side out and voila! My husband thought I bought it :) Cute, huh?

Don't forget to trim any extra thread!!!!

8 comments:

  1. LOVE THIS! What a great idea! I might use this tutorial to make a cover (finally) for my sewing machine!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sew with wrong sides together? Won't that leave a seam on the right side...the side that shows?? I'm confused. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. No you always sew on the wrong side then turn it inside out when finishex

    ReplyDelete
  4. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi all :-)
      I got a printer I need a cover for, but got no sewing skills. Anybody able to help me? My printer is 18 cm high, 37,5 cm wide and 36 cm deep. Please take contact and name your price.
      Best regards
      Mr Eirik Sjo
      Vreimsida 603
      NO-3803 Bø i Telemark
      Norway
      eirik.sjo@gmail.com

      Delete
  5. I don t have the time at the moment to fully read your site but I have bookmarked it and also add your RSS feeds. I will be back in a day or two. thanks for a great site. Ongoing Maintenance Plan

    ReplyDelete
  6. Keep on putting up! You completely match our expectation and the variety of our information. network security

    ReplyDelete
  7. I loved it, I just did it today and I'm happy :) Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete