Sewing Machine Bag

I didn’t realise how many nice bits of fabric I had accumulated over time! You know, when you see a really nice print or just like the feel of the fabric and it would be rude not to buy it! So, yeah, I have lots of fat quarts and no idea what to do with them. Then I looked at my sewing machine, sat sad and covered in the horrible off-white plastic dust cover it came with when I bought it and it occurred to me that it’s the old two birds one stone situation. I really wanted to try patchwork and making a cover for the machine as a means of showing off some of the selection I have built up.

I measured the machine to figure out what I’d need and 5cm squares would mean I needed 180 squares. Seen as this is my first patchwork project the thought of having to get 180 squares exact was a lot of pressure! So I changed from squares to strips. I needed 8 long strips for the wide sides and bottom of the machine and 3 strips for the shorter sides of the machine. So I measured it all up, cut out my strips and sewed them together. Then ironed all the seams flat.

From here all I was going to do was add side panels and lining and open part of the seam on the top for the sewing machine handle to pop through, maybe add some piping et voila. One dust cover for the sewing machine. But wait what if I made a bag? Having a padded bag would be good and if\when I move it will protect it. Decision made.

I already had the body and side panels plus the lining but I wanted it padded so I bought some wadding and cut out 2 short side panels, 2 big side panels and a base.

I stitched the padding together with the lining but left one of the corners open to turn everything though at the end (like the drawstring bag and protective case posts). I was hoping the wadding would add structure but also help take the weight of the sewing machine. There would be no point in a bag if when lifted, it bottomed out and my sewing machine lay in bits on the floor! So in a panic I asked Mr TimeForCrafts to buy some bag handle cord stuff, heavy duty and either black or white! He made the best choice, it was the strongest stuff I’ve ever seen and the colour choice was perfect he found some that was grey with a cream trim that really suited the patchwork! I had 3 metres which I stitched together to make a loop and stitched it under the bag and up the sides, this way the bag strap also holds a lot of the weight of the sewing machine.

I would have liked to add a zip to the top but at this point I had struggled with the wadding, confused myself on how it would be put together, snapped a needle on the hard core handle and spent over a week on the project that should have only taken a couple of days! So next time I make a bag I’ll add a zip!

At this point it’s pretty simple. Stitch the patchwork layer together, place it inside the padded layer (right sides facing) stitch round the top and pull through the bottom. Ladder stitch the hole and push the inner layer inside the patchwork layer.

I ironed everything to make it all nice, the only thing I found was where I turned the bag right side round there was a little lip on the bag handles but I ironed them down and it’s not a problem.

So I have made a bag! It is padded and reinforced to withstand the weight of a sewing machine. I will add a patchwork panel and zip on the inside to act as a dust cover soon but for now I think I am happy!