Well, I’ve finally gone to the dark side. The place all garment makers think they’ll never go. The place where you cut perfectly good fabric into tiny little pieces, only to stitch them back together again…quilting!
I have a big quilting project in the back of my mind, but wanted to tackle something a bit simpler first. Before Summer hit, we had evaporative cooling installed in the house. It’s the lovely kind that means you can leave all the windows open, but it does work with ‘damp air’. One of the vents blows directly onto my sewing machines and I was a bit worried they’d rust up, so thought some pretty covers were in order.
So where to start? As much as I love reading blogs, I love using real books to get me going on new skills, so I did a bit of searching and Practical Guide to Patchwork (affiliate link) by Elizabeth Hartman kept popping up as the place to start. I’ve been following Elizabeth’s blog, Oh Fransson for years, so it seemed like the perfect book. After picking up my copy I read it through and felt ready to go! I measured up my machines and had a bit of fun with the maths to work out what size to cut all my pieces…yep, I’m nerdy like that!
The symmetry of quilting is quite beautiful! The gorgeous Tilda fabric used for this project was kindly supplied by the lovely ladies at Sew Creative Supplies. They are an Australian online sewing supply store and have a great selection of fabric, notions and bag hardware. I used this set from the Tilda Corner Shop Collection.
I added a piece of firm interfacing to the top of each cover to that it sits nicely. The overlocker cover could probably also do with some in the sides. The shape of overlockers is so tricky to cover nicely. The inside of the covers in lined with bemsilk dress lining. I had it lying around and my thinking was that it would stop the overlocker threads sticking to the inside.
I got a bit fancy with the sewing machine cover and cut out a notch for the cords. Binding around the edge of this was easier than I thought. Here’s a tute I used to bind the inside corners.
I liked the matchy-matchy of it all, so whipped up a macthing pin cushion and thread basket too. The pin cushion is a simple rectangle and I made the thread basket using this idea, also adding the loop to hold my scissors and finishing the outside with some scraps using the quilt-as-you-go method.
This project has taken a couple of months all up. I must admit having two kids takes up a lot more of my time than I thought it would. How do they manage to coordinate so that their naps are NEVER at the same time?!
Toni-Maree says
It is so gorgeous Abby! I really love it. I think I should buy some books too 🙂
Laura says
They look great, well done on your successful first trip into quilting!
abby @ thingsforboys says
thank you Laura! The piecing was fun and I’m very happy with how it turned out. The quilting is not as great, I think I need to work on my basting!
Katie Sparrow says
Gosh, you would never know it’s your first try at quilting! Look at those perfectly pressed seams! Look at the expertly lined-up corners! And the mitering (is that a word?) on your binding! I do hope you’re feeling very pleased with yourself; you should do! x
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Laura says
What a beautiful set Abby! It look so lovely all together and it’s all so neat. I have that same book – planning to review it when I eventually add the binding to my first quilt 🙂
abby @ thingsforboys says
Thank you. It’s a great book, very inspiring and easy to understand.
Ms Midge says
So so clever Abby! And yes – you’ve gone to the dark side. Beware xx
Kat says
haha you crack me up. I am the complete opposite to you as I call myself a “quilter” but just started a diploma of dressmaking and pattern making which is what I consider “the dark side” lol. Love all your quilty makes. Who would know it was your first try.
And just excuse me while I quietly stalk your blog for ideas of what to make you in our swap 😉
xx
abby @ thingsforboys says
Your diploma sounds very exciting! Haha! Go for it! I’ve been doing the same thing 😉
Cheri says
2 weeks ago I did my first project using scraps. I made a ironing board cover, love it.
A little bit country says
That is the best sewing machine cover ever! All my colours too xo
abby @ thingsforboys says
thanks Elaina! You’ll be whipping one up in no time 😉
Melissa says
You did a great job, love how you left the notch for the cords.
abby @ thingsforboys says
thanks Melissa. The notch definitely helps it to sit nice and flat on the sides.
Tania Brown says
Too funny, I just KNEW I’d seen you do a cover like this but hadn’t had time to sit & really look (4 kids, school hols, sewing to supply another wahm biz, trying to get a wahm biz of my own up & running…sheesh I’m rambling!) I’m guessing if this took you so long I’ll get mine done by oooh, I don’t know, Christmas? Beautiful work Abby, your blog is my go to now 🙂
abby @ thingsforboys says
with 4 kids, I’m impressed you can even manage to find time to sit down at a computer! The actual sewing is pretty quick once you get into it. Doing it with larger squares would be quicker. Good luck with all your sewing and enjoy your Christmas present to yourself 😉