Thursday 1 January 2015

2015 - The Year of the Fabric Scrap

Year of the Scrap
I am naming 2015 the year of the FABRIC SCRAP.  Yes, you heard it here first - this is the year to use up those charm squares, candy squares, off-cuts and scraps that you've accumulated.   I am planning on using up many of my fabric scraps over the next twelve months as I make functional, useful things to keep and to give.  Of course that includes many, many mug rugs but right now I am in desperate need of a new sewing machine cover so that is this month's Across the Pond SAL project.

There are so many wonderful FREE tutorials and patterns available that choosing which to make is almost as hard as choosing which scraps to use first!   Here are just a few to whet your appetite....
Our own wonderful Susie's Sewing Machine Cover

Sew Delicious's Patchwork Cover

'Notes from the Patch' Unquilted Cover complete with Side Pockets

The Union Jack is a panel so it could easily become Stars-and-Stripes

The Long Thread's Free PDF Pattern

During Quiet Time's Stunning Cover

Ellyn's Place Sewing Machine Cover - love the button idea

Sew Inspired - so easy.
And here is one from Cotton Creations complete with GIANT rick-rack specially for our Amy (Amy loves playing with rick-rack, trim and fabulous fabric combinations) ....
Cotton Creations Tutorial over a Pine Needles
My machine is very small (15” wide x 12” high x 8” deep) as I need to take it out and about with me.  For this reason, I have decided to use the patchwork cover from Sew Delicious as inspiration but make a few changes (pockets on the side panels for stencils and cutters, a rounded top to fit snuggly and a hole in the top for the sewing machine handle to poke through).  
Pretty fabric scraps get a new lease of life
I will detail how I make these alterations next week but to begin I created the main panel using 4½” squares from fabric scraps left over from the Wishes SAL and some Bonnie & Camille off-cuts.
Side Panels with lined pockets
The two side panels, complete with pockets, are ready for quilting before I shape the top of them. Pop back next week to see how this project comes together.   

In the meantime, pop over to Susie's Sunroom to see what she's up to.  And if you have a cover you've made, whether recently or an old favourite, then be sure to post a photo of it on the Across the Pond Flickr group.  We all need a little eye-candy-inspiration.

Sew until next time .....

12 comments:

  1. What an excellent project for this month's ATPSA ! Your patchwork machine cover is going to be so pretty in those fabrics! I can't wait to see the extras you are adding. I am really curious about how you are making the handle hole, too!
    Susie

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    1. Ah, it is an easy method Susie. And I had a great idea to jazz it up even further. But more on that next week.
      xxx

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  2. I love this project idea. I already made one but I like an excuse to make another one! Love the ones you've highlighted too! Can't wait to see yours!

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    1. As you've followed me for a while you will not be surprised to hear that my hand-appliqued sewing machine cover went to the charity shop by accident!
      I was sorting through some clothes and bunched them up for the charity bag. It wasn't until I returned home that I realised my sewing machine cover had gotten caught up with the clothes! I popped in the charity shop the next day, hoping to buy it back but couldn't find it anywhere! Still, it gave me a great excuse to play with some fabric patches. But really - what am I like?

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    2. One of the drawbacks of having my sewing space in my bedroom.

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  3. Lovely sewing machine covers Amanda! Can't wait to see the finished cover you create! Have a very Happy New Year! Hope 2015 is a good year for you! :) xx

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    1. Happy New Year to you too Christine.
      p.s. I posted your wonderful Ticker Tape mug rug on my facebook page - it is so lovely.

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  4. What a great collection of covers! Your sewing machine is going to be so proud of its pretty new cover - I love those prints. Count me in on the Year of the Scraps!

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  5. Oooh - can't wait to see your cover!

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  6. They are lovely machine covers, but can't help noticing that only one has a handle. I've made a machine cover for my workshop machine a few years back and needed to cut out a slot at the top so the handle could come through to make it more portable.

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    1. Great minds think alike, Sue. I have just finished my cover and it includes a slot in the top for the sewing machine handle to poke through. Thus making is portable. I will blog about an easy way to do this next week.
      I have also include pockets on the side panels to hold the cable and rulers, templates and notions.

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  7. This was a detailed post with lots of tips. I love the colours and fabrics you chose. Thank you.

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