REMOVABLE SEWING CHAIR COVER TUTORIAL

(A SEWING CHAIR MAKEOVER)    

This is my sewing chair wearing the cover I made.  This was my first attempt at making a removable chair cover.  I am so pleased with the result considering I have never made a chair cover before.   I love the fabric I think it suits the chair.  The fabric is called Kiana by Harliquin fabrics.   I have had the fabric in my stash for a long while I knew it would come in handy one day.  My sister bought it at an auction for me.  She seen it and thought of me.  I think she knows I am a fabricaholic.  

  HERE ARE THE INSTRUCTIONS TO MAKE THE SEWING CHAIR COVER.









1/  Measure the chair back, from top front to  seating area, (lenght).  Measure back of the  chair from top to bottom . 

2/  Measure the width across the front and measure the width across the back.  However,you will need to take into consideration whether the back will  wrap around to meet  the front fabric like mine did. Measure the seating area to include overhang  of fabric. Measure width across and lenght  front to back.  Note:  The back measurements may be wider then the front.  In my case it was about 4" wider as the fabric wrapped around to the front.  But obviously this will depend on our chair measurements.  The main thing is to get the measurements    right for your chair.
  

3/   Choose your fabric.  You will also need tissue paper or pattern paper, scissors, pencil, and ruler.  I used inches but it is personal to you whether you use imperial or metic measurements.

4/  Transfer your measurements onto the pattern/tissue paper.  Cut the pattern out.

5/  Pin the pattern onto the fabric and cut the pieces out.  You should have the following pattern pieces:  Front/Back/Seat.  Three pattern pieces.

6/   Tack the back and front fabric pieces together and try on the upper part of the chair.  If alterations need to  be made, then this is the time to do it before the  pieces are sewn together permanently.   

 7/  Turn inside out and try the fully finished  back onto  the chair.   Then put the seating fabric piece onto the seating area of the chair. 

8/ Find the centre of the seating area fabric piece and match up to the centre of the back of chair, then machine stitch both pieces together.  Now the seat and back are attached.

9/   Pin the corners at the front of the seating area as shown on the pictures.  Machine  sew these corners and snip off excess fabric.
 Also machine sew the fabrics together where  the seat  fabric meets the back fabric in the area around back legs of the chair.  



10/   Measure around the full circle of the chair   around the bottom where the fabric ends.   Then cut a strip  of fabric to make a skirt  for the bottom to go all around the chair.    How far you want the skirt to hang is your  personal choice.   Remove the cover and  attach the skirt all around the bottom of the cover.   The cover is complete.  All you need  to do now is  press it and put your creation  on your chair  and pat  yourself on the back for a job well done.   

Why not have a go at making a removable chair cover. You will not only save yourself money but you will also have a pattern to make more if ever you fancy a change.   I hope my tutorial has given you inspiration to have a go yourself.   

Bye for now........Margaret

YIPPEE!! MY SEWING ROOM IS FINISHED

Hello again,

My sewing room is now finished and ready for me to start sewing again. Have a look at the pictures below.  I love my new sewing room and can't wait to start creating again.


This is the right side of the room
 which will be used for cutting out and ironing

A view of both sides of the room with
plenty of storage underneath and above.



Finished at last. 
 The section  to the right of the chair
is where the spare sewing machine will go so
my granddaughters can join me sewing if they wish.



A view showing my quilting/sewing machine
and my embroidery machine.

A view of my cutting out and ironing section.
You will notice a piece of wood at the end which will be my new ironing pad. 
 My first task will be to make my ironing pad.   

I will be back soon with news of my latest creations.
bye for now.........................Margaret

HORRAY!!! NEARLY THERE

The middle section is designated
for my quilting/sewing with lots
of storage underneath and above.

Hello everyone,  My sewing room is half way to being finished.  The section finished is where my sewing/embroidery machines will go and lots of storage. I am very pleased with it so far.  Have a look for yourself.  The other side of the room will be designated to cutting out and ironing.  Once that side is finished I will be back with more pictures to show you.
Happy Crafting all .........Margaret           .

One end section will house my
Embroidery machine
 

The other end section will house
my spare sewing machine so 
 my granddaughters  can
 join me sewing

MY SEWING ROOM MAKOVER

Hello again,

This week I will be busy emptying my sewing room ready for a complete makeover.  I have already started to empty it and I can't believe all the stuff I have in a small space.  My sewing room is the smallest room in the house, it is only about 10 x 8 foot.

I have recently bought an embroidery machine.  A Janome 200e.  I have only used it a few times but I love it.  The only problem is my sewing room does not have enough spare work top to give it its own designated space.  I have to move other things around in my sewing room every time I want to use it.  I am not happy with that arrangement so I have decided to revamp my sewing room to accommodate my machines, as well as getting my sewing room more organised in the process.

 I have drafted a plan showing how I would like my room to be, taking into account the space for sewing and embroidery machines, also cutting space, ironing space, also my big shot cutting machine, cutting dies and all fabrics, notions, tools etc.  This is a tall order given the size of my room, But I think it will be possible if I am very organised.  The downside is I will be out of action for a couple of weeks while it is being done.  I wont be able to do any sewing or creating for the next couple of weeks, I may develop withdrawal systems.  I think it will be worth it.  Once it is done I will be rearing to go.  See picture below:  Moving out of my sewing room ready for a makeover.

I  will be back very soon to let you know how my sewing room makeover is coming along .   Hopefully within the next week.   Watch this space bye for now.................Margaret

SEW EASY TOTE BAG TUTORIAL

Hello again,

This week I have been busy making a tote bag for someone who liked the bag I showed on my blog last week.  I thought I would take the opportunity to share the process of making it with you.   It's a straight forward pattern which could be adapted to your own specification. You can add extras like embellishments,pockets, bows etc.  Making it personal to yourself.  Have a go you might surprise yourself.


Choosing The Fabric.  The first thing is to choose your fabric.  The fabric you choose is a personal decision.  I did not choose the fabric for this particular bag, the customer did.  However, if you are making a bag for yourself it is your decision which fabric you choose.  You can choose all the same fabric for the outside of the bag you do not have to have two fabrics for the main body of the bag like I have.
Deciding on Bag Size.   The finished measurements of the bag I made is: 13" x 16".  Again this is a personal preference depending on what you intend to use the bag for.  The same applies to how long you would like the handles.  The same instructions apply no matter how big or small you make the bag.  Now you are ready to start making the bag.

Cut Out The Following.

• Two fabric pieces in your own size choice for the main external bag.  
• Two fabric pieces for the lining the same size as the main external fabric
• Two pieces of fabric for handles both measuring 3" wide. (lenght your preference)
• One piece of fabric measuring 6"x 1" for button tab. 
• You will also need thread to match your fabric.

Main Body of Bag

Once all your fabric pieces have been cut your next step is to sew the main external body of the bag. Sew the back and front of the bag together with the right sides facing each other. However, if you have decided to put any pockets or trimmings on the bag you will need to do this before sewing the pieces together.  Do the same with the lining, sew the back and front together with the right sides facing each other, leave  about a 6" open gap  at the bottom of the lining to allow the bag to be pulled through the lining.  ( You will learn how to do this at a later stage) Attach any pockets before sewing the right sides together.


See picture below:   I applied the inside pocket to the lining of the bag, and also sewed white ric rack to the main body of the bag before sewing them together.

Bag Handles

Fold the fabric in half and press with a steam iron * fold each side of the fabric into the  middle and press again. * Fold over again and press with a steam iron.  Do the same process for both handles.
*  Sew down the full length on both sides of the handles and press *  The handles are ready.
 See pictures below:

***Use the same process above to make the button tab.  Then fold in half length ways***

Make the Base of The Bag (Optional)
Make a bottom to the bag by putting the side seam and bottom seam together to make a point, measure 1" inwards from the corner point.  Mark a line across to confirm where to sew. Sew across this line twice. Cut the access fabric towards the point off . Repeat the same process for the bag lining.  See pictures below:

Attach the handles and Button Tab
The button Tab: Fold the bag in half to get the centre of the bag.  Attach the button tab to the middle of the back of the bag on the right side of the fabric.  ***Measure  2" from both side seams inwards and attach the handle.  Repeat for the back of the bag.  Making sure back and front handles  match and handles are not twisted.  Secure them to the bag by machine stitching near the edge of the top of the bag.
Attaching The Bag To The Lining.
Put the main bag inside the lining.  making sure the handles are laying flat.   The bag should be the right side out.  The lining should be inside out.  Allign the bag seams to the lining seams and make sure the bag fits inside the lining all seams and bottoms matching snugly. The right side of the bag should be facing the right side of lining. Sew around the top of the bag.  When you have sewn all around the top of the bag.  Pull the bag through the gap you left at the bottom of the lining.
See pictures below:

Once all the main body of the bag has been pulled through  the gap in the lining the next step is to sew the gap closed.  Sew as close to the edge as possible.  That part of the lining will not be seen as it is at the bottom of the bag.  Push the lining into the main body of the bag, press with a steam iron and machine stitch around the top.
See picture below:

Hey Presto
Sew the button on the front of the bag and then press the complete bag with a steam iron and
hey presto you have made a tote bag

.Additional Notes:  You may decide to put interfacing to your bag to give it more structure.  Normally I would use medium weight interfacing on the main body of the bag depending on the fabric.  However, on this occasion the fabric I used is quite sturdy and will be folded when not in use.

I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial. I will be back next week to let you know what I have been up to.  In the meantime have a great week.   If you have any questions or perhaps tips to share with me do not hesitate to contact me..................  Regards Margaret. 

Yippee! I managed to upload the pictures of the bags I made and donated for the Macmillan funds raising Coffee and Cake morning.    Hope you like them.  

Sew Excited...

Welcome, to all you fellow Crafters.   My name is Margret and this is my new blog.  My aim is to add to the blog weekly, however, if I have some news I will update you sooner. This is where I share all  my knowledge and inspiring ideas with you. I am excited to share all my ideas and also hopefully learn  tips and tricks you want to share with me. I have been sewing for many years now and I really enjoy it; I have my own shop https://folksy.com/shops/SewMaggieD.    Sewing is a really fun way to spend my free time and I love being able to use my own patterns and create my own style. 

I have been a busy bee today at my friends house helping her host the Coffee and Cake event to raise money for Macmillan. We had a fab time, everyone who arrived brought either  a cake or prize with them for the raffle.  My contribution was two bags I made,  one was sold and the other was one of the raffle prizes.  In Total the coffee morning raised £120 for Macmillan.  Well done  to Julie my friend for being a great host and well done everyone for taking part to raise money for such a worthy cause.  I have been trying to upload a picture of my bags to show you but I am unable to do so at the moment.  (I am a novice) Once I have mastered it I will let you see some pictures. 

I have lots of creative ideas I want to share with you in due course. Don't forget to drop by again and happy creating to all you crafters. Keep in touch I would love to hear from you.

https://folksy.com/shops/SewMaggieD