DIY Sewing Machine Cover

A few weekends ago, I finally finished converting a section of our basement into my workshop for Hoot & Bumble. That weekend, I completed a few projects I've been meaning to get to for a long time. It felt good to knock them out of the way.

One of those projects was a sewing machine cover. I had wanted to make one for a while, but since I didn't have a craft area, it was never a priority. Now that my sewing machine is in our unfinished basement, I figured now I must have one to keep my machine clean and free of dust.

I didn't set this project up to do a tutorial, so excuse the lack of pictures, and proper measuring. 

I had some soft apple fabric I bought over three years ago, and never used. I decided to use that along with some yellow ribbon (it doesn't match great, but I was trying to use up things I had sitting around).

I did this project without a pattern, so it's not perfect. I didn't measure great. Instead I kind of draped the fabric over my machine, and marked where it landed on the table. Then I cut out a rectangle using my markings. 

From there, I draped the fabric back over my machine, and marked where the corners were. Since the back of my sewing machine is wider than the front, the markings were not even. 

Then, I cut the corners out where I marked them, so the fabric looked like a big lopsided cross. 

I cut 8 pieces of ribbon a few inches in length, and sewed them as ties onto each corner a few inches down from the top.

If I wanted it to look perfect (I was being pretty lazy), I would have folded the edges all the way around, and created a hem for a more finished look. 

When finished sewing, I placed my cover on my sewing machine, and tied all 4 corners into a bow. 

And it's done! If you make one, link me to it in the comment section below. I would love to see it!

DIY Placemats- Easy Beginner Sewing Project

I have been wanting to make something like table place mat this for a long time.

(Say Yes to Hoboken)

I got some fabric a few weeks ago thinking I was going to make a new tote with it, but decided to make a few place mats with it instead. They looked pretty easy, and I was excited to finally have place mats. Well, I made the place mats, and then began working on the freezer paper stencil place settings (the plate, and utensils you see on the place mat above). I finished a plate in the middle of one of my pace mats, and hated how it came out. I couldn't bring myself to do the rest of them. So for now, I am leaving my place mats how they are. I may try to sew fabric cut outs on to my place mats next time I make a batch.

Materials to make 4 placemats
2 yards of fabric- this can be two yards of the same fabric, or 2 different coordinating fabrics
sewing machine
coordinating thread
iron
(I didn't use interfacing, but I will next time I make place mats. I recommend using interfacing.)

Pre wash and iron your fabric.
Cut out (4) 12.5" x 19" rectangles in each fabric (you should have 8 rectangles total)

Place 2 right sides together and pin all the way around.

Sew using a 1/2" seam allowance leaving a 3 inch gap for turning.
Clip the corners, and trim any excess from the sides.

Turn fabric right side out, and press.
Top stitch all the way around using a 1/8" or as close as you can get it, closing the opening. & you're done!

  This project is so easy, and you'll be so proud when you can tell your dinner guests you made the place mats. It's a great project for beginner seamstresses. 

I would love for you to send pictures of your completed place mats! HootandBumble@gmail.com