Tuesday 17 November 2015

Caravan Sewing Machine cover

How cute is this??

It's my new sewing machine cover, custom made by my mum and me to fit my new Bernina 550QE (with the table still attached).

Caravan Sewing Machine cover

It's always good to have a project to work on on when mum comes to stay.  She helps me with all the tricky bits I might get stuck on. Mum never lets me abandon projects - she always sorts them out for me.

I got my new machine back in June, and knew it needed a dust cover.  The machine came with a bag for transporting it, but I didn't want to lift it in and out of the bag each day. I wanted a cover I
could just pop over it at the end of each day.

the back view

I spend a fair bit of time on Instagram, and I'd spotted a great version of this machine cover a few months ago.  I went to Rainbow Hare on Etsy and purchased the pattern for only a few dollars.

It came as a downloadable pdf with many pages, so I just stored it on my iPad and only printed out the pages I really needed.  Mum and I changed the length and width of the pattern to suit my machine.  The height was fine.

We used Soft and Stable instead of interfacing.  It's a great product for this type of thing - it's soft, and yet stable, just like the name says.  It means the caravan is almost free standing, but can also be folded up if necessary.




If you're tempted to make one yourself, just allow plenty of time.  The doors and windows took me a whole afternoon. Cutting, assembling, quilting and fitting the caravan part was spread over 2 or 3 days.  Hand sewing on the windows and door, and turning up the grass on the bottom took time. As did hand sewing on the little daisies and making the bunting.  Of course you don't have to add all the little finishing touches like I did, but I think that's what makes it so cute.

Great idea and pattern thank you Rainbow Hare. You can see more information on her blog here.

19 comments:

Cricket-bug Corner said...

That is adorable!!!

Yvonne @ Quilting Jetgirl said...

It is super cute! I love that it is sized to accommodate the table still attached. :)

Granny Maud's Girl said...

I think your colour choices are so cheerful, Wendy. They make it super-special.
I have some Soft and Stable for a bag project I have not started. Hmmm.

Sandi said...

What a lovely collaboration with your mom Wendy. Quite some time ago I sketched out an idea to make one of my own design but have never followed through the with the idea. I made a cover several years ago at a retreat and leave it with the machine that I take to retreats and workshops to cover it at the end of the day. I think I need to go back to the drawing board and make my own trailer version. Love that you decided to make it big enough to cover your extension table...great idea!

margaret said...

this must be the best cover I have come accross it is super duper and well done the pair of yu on creating such a great cover far nicer than the covers a machine comes with, have said I will make some for my machines but so far only said! Mind you they will not be complicated like yours it really is a work of art

Oops-Lah said...

I've enjoyed watching as you progressed on this project on IG and FB. It really is one of a kind and so cute as well as decorative and of course handy to put your machine to sleep under!

barbaradougherty126 said...

Wow, it is soooo cute. I love it. Thanks for sharing.

Linda said...

Fabulous! Great that you and your mum combined forces to make this lovely Camper Van machine cover. Reminds me of a camper van trip my husband and I did in NZ about 15 years ago.

Her Indoors said...

This is fabulous, Wendy! I'm going to have to make something for mine as the new machines have a gaping hole in the top of the hard cover for the handle that also allows dust in. Must be designed by a man (;-)) I didn't have that problem with my 1980s machine - they don't make 'em like they used to

Daryl @ Patchouli Moon Studio said...

Wendy that is the cutest sewing machine cover ever!!!!!!! I'm pinning it.

Ruth said...

It looks great. I've admired that pattern for a while. Bet it looks lovely and cheery in your sewing room!

Raewyn said...

What a great finish and a fun cover... you'll smile every time you walk into your seing space! Good idea to use the Soft and Stable, too... I love that stuff :-)

Jessica said...

That is so incredibly cute!! Kudos to your mum, so helpful and encouraging.

Heide said...

So adorable!

Schulz Family said...

That is so amazing!!! Might be my sisters xmas present

Laney said...

L.O.V.E. Supercute!

Anonymous said...

That is really cute--reminds me that my machine is pining for a cover too. I keep ignoring the pleas.

Tiina said...

This is wonderful! Glad you made all finishing touches

Anonymous said...

I LOVE all your little details! You're right, it's worth it in the end! How fun to have your mom help you. I bet your sewing machine looks so cute now when not in use.