Sewing Machine Cover finished

I’m so happy it’s finished! I think it came together pretty well considering I kind of planned it as I went. It also allowed me to try some technical sewing and see how the machine works, get acclimated to using it.

So I ended up taking the 790 Plus (Bernina) back, and bringing home a brand new 770 QEE. I really felt it was better to have the full warranty. They are very similar machines. So far, I’m very happy with the machine and am working through its differences and what not.

Love the HUGE bobbins!

I find the best way to make friends with a new machine is to sew a project together that utilizes different techniques. This way you can test different presser feet and get used to switching settings, using features that sort of thing.

First I made some quilt blocks. I figured I might end up with something to hang in the sewing room into the bargain.

The first block I made was this flower (on the B790 Plus) I struggled with the presser foot (97D) that came with the machine. Evidently, one cannot simply sew with a “D” presser foot without engaging the dual feed. I bought a couple other presser feet for regular sewing and tried them out.

The block is from my book, Me & My 18″ Doll book, Emma Quilt pattern. I left the borders off, not really knowing what I would be making with it.

The second one I made was a Tilda bird, designed by Tone Finnanger and available on her website. I resized it and figured out how to make it smaller (4″ block). That took a lot of time, so I didn’t end up doing that for the bee block she has on her website.

I searched around for other block ideas. I fell in love with these bunny blocks by Nadra Ridgeway, Ellis and Higgs.

Fabrics are Tilda, various collections. The sold blue is Tilda Solid Basic: Lupine.

Made a few more bunnies 🙂 I didn’t add the black “eye” in the patchwork design, so I could use button eyes instead.

I decided to turn the adorable bunny blocks into a machine cover for my new machine!

I bought and tried Ellis and Higgs Pansy block, but all I could see was a bug starring at me.

As mentioned, the flower I did use is from Me and My 18″ Doll book, Emma Quilt, doll size. I added haphazard looking leaves and stem to the flower block.

I had sketched this mushroom out years ago, while planning a different project that isn’t finished yet. This was done with turned applique, hand stitched to the block. The embroidery is also hand sewn.

As I set out to design my sewing machine cover using the bunny blocks, and it evolved as I went. I had an extra bunny block, so I used it on one of the sides.

I wanted to be able to leave the extension table on, so designed the cover to accommodate this. I quilted the pieces and rounded the corners of the side pieces using a Creative Grid curved corner ruler.

I handmade some matching piping.

After sewing all the quilted panels together with piping sewn into the seams, I finished the lower edge with binding.

Instead of just one handle on top, I added 2 handles on the top at the sides, since this is how I’ve been removing the cover that came with the machine. Having 2 handles makes it much easier to lift off the machine and replace it at the end of the day.

One handle sticks up higher than the other, but oh well.

Then I added all the button details, eyes for the bunnies, a mushroom house door knob, and some pretty flowers. I have been collecting buttons for years and it was so fun to explore them and use some in a project that I will look at every time I’m sewing.

The fabric buttons are Tilda buttons I purchased at Quilt Market Sample Spree years ago and the others are Dill Buttons. The bright pink flower is an unknown brand that I have had for years.

I added some additional embroidery for the stems and grass blades.

I’m looking forward to doing more sewing! Lot more techniques to test on the new machine 🙂 and so many ideas floating around.

Happy Sewing!

~Erin