How to Make a Quilted Sewing Machine Cover

If your sewing machine is going to sit out in your sewing space, it might as well look cute! This sewing machine cover is one of those projects that is both pretty and practical—and it’s surprisingly simple to make.

diy sewing machine cover.

This quilted sewing machine cover is made to fit your specific machine, so you don’t really need a specific pattern. You can follow the tutorial below and make it specifically to fit your machine.

Grab a few of your favorite fabrics, or some leftover fabric from a different project (like I did), and I promise this will come together so quickly!

Supplies for Your Sewing Machine Cover

For this project, you’ll need:

I did a little quilt block on the front of mine – it’s just a simple sawtooth star, and I made it to be 6 inches around. You can look up dimensions to do a 6-inch sawtooth star online, or choose your own dimensions! I chose fabrics that I knew would go well with my sewing space, and truly now I love turning off my machine every night and putting this cover on it. It feels so special and like something that will last a very long time.

How to Make a Sewing Machine Cover

Step 1: Measure Your Sewing Machine

drawing lines on fabric for quilting.

The great thing about making your own sewing machine cover is that you can customize it to fit your exact machine.

Start by measuring from the bottom of one side of your sewing machine, up and over the top, and down to the bottom on the opposite side.

Next, measure the machine from side to side.

You won’t need much of a seam allowance on this project because the edges will be bound, but I added about 1/4-inch to all of my measurements to account for any ease. The sewing machine cover should fit comfortably over your machine without being so snug that it’s difficult to take on and off.

These measurements will determine the size of your main quilted panel.

Step 2: Make the Quilted Panel

quilting sewing machine cover.

Cut your exterior fabric, batting, and backing slightly larger than the finished size you need.

Layer the three pieces together just like you would make a quilt sandwich, and quilt the layers together.

You can quilt this however you’d like! Straight lines, diagonal lines, or a simple grid would all work beautifully.

Once your quilting is finished, trim the panel down to your final measurements.

Step 3: Add an Opening for the Sewing Machine Handle

If your machine has a carrying handle on top, you can add an opening so that the handle is still accessible while the sewing machine cover is on.

Drape your quilted panel over the machine and mark where the handle sits.

Carefully cut a rectangular opening at that location and finish the raw edges with binding.

I recommend starting with an opening that’s slightly smaller than you think you’ll need. You can always make it a little larger if necessary!

Step 4: Add the Binding

adding binding to sewing machine cover.

The last step is finishing the raw edges with binding.

I love using a contrasting fabric here because the binding really frames the entire project and gives the sewing machine cover a clean, finished look.

Attach your binding around the unfinished edges, give everything a good press, and you’re done!

Step 5: Make the Fabric Ties

I made 4 strips of bias tape that are about 14 inches long. You can make your own bias tape or you can purchase store-bought tape. I cut my strips at 2-inches wide, which results in 1/2-inch wide bias tape when it’s finished. Again, sometimes store-bought is a little bit easier if you want to skip the hassle of making your own!

To make the bias tape into ties, fold one of the sides in 1 cm, and then another cm. Pin or clip in place. Then, sew a stitch on the long edge of the bias tape where the 2 folded edges meet. You just want to sew the bias tape closed. One short end should be left with raw edges and the other should be folded in.

Mark where you want the ties to go on the sides of your machine, and sew each tie (the raw edge end) to the wrong side of your cover, folding in the raw edges when you attach. You will need 2 ties on each side so that you can tie the sides together.

adding binding to sewing machine cover.

Done! 

That’s it! This project looks much more complicated than it actually is. You’re essentially making one quilted panel, adding a handle slot, and finishing everything with binding.

And since you’re working from your own measurements, you can use this same method to make a sewing machine cover for just about any machine.

This would also be such a fun project for using fabric you already have in your stash. You could piece together scraps, use leftover quilt blocks, make a patchwork pocket, or keep everything simple and let one favorite fabric be the star.

I hope you guys loved this tutorial and I can’t wait to see your finished projects!

diy sewing machine cover.

More DIY Inspiration

If you loved this project, and are looking for a few more beginner-friendly sewing projects, try one of these linked below! All three of them are reader-favorites and great for a quick, scrap-busting project.

Love,

Sarah

“For ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’” -Romans 10:13-