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Dust Cover

January 9, 2012 By A Spoonful of Sugar - 12 Comments

It is that time of the year, when I have an urge to get organised around our home. Now that the busy Christmas season is behind us, I am gradually going through each room and cleaning, organising, and finding items to be donated/thrown out. It feels really good to have everything in its place.

One of the projects I came across today was a dust cover that I made to keep Sarah’s First Holy Communion  Dress free of dust while it is being stored. It was this dust cover which was later reworked to include a side zipper and a closed bottom to become the Monogrammed Clothing Cover in the book  Fabric by Fabric One Yard Wonders.

Sarah’s dress has been stored this way for several years now (I should have ironed it again before the photos – oops!). I am planning on making some more dust covers to store some of her cute dancing costumes that she wore for dancing concerts when she was small – all the precious outfits I can’t bare to throw away. I will also make a few for some of my winter jackets that always seem to collect dust on the shoulders when they are hanging in the walk in robe.

If you would like to make your own dust covers to protect some of your out of season clothes or kids clothing/costumes, here are the instructions:

 

Dust Cover:
 
Measures: 21 inches x 29 inches (53 x 74 cm)
* If you want to leave off the monogram, just follow steps 3 and 4.
 
Materials:
·         1 yard printed cotton
·         6 inch square of white cotton homespun fabric
·         scrap of contrasting fabric for monogram
·         20 inches of wide ric rac trim
·         co-ordinating thread
·         appliqué film (e.g. vliesofix)
·         5 inch square lightweight fusible interfacing
Supplies:
·         serger/overlocker
·         rotary cutter and cutting mat
·         compass and pencil
·         card
·         spray on starch
·         water soluble pen
·         pencil
·         computer and printer
·         pins
·         scissors
·         dinner plate

 

 

Method:
1.       Using your computer and printer, print out a monogram letter that is approximately 3 x 4 inches in size. (I used Notebook font, size 600). Cut out the letter. Trace the wrong side of the letter onto the back of appliqué film (i.e. paper side). Cut around the letter leaving approx ½ inch clearance. Press the appliqué film onto the wrong side of a piece of contrasting fabric. Cut around the letter. Peel off the paper.
2.       Using your compass, draw a circle that is 5 inches in diameter onto the card. Cut out the circle template. Trace the circle onto the back of the white fabric. Cut out the white fabric circle leaving ½ inch seam allowance. Iron a 5 inch circle of fusible interfacing on the back of the white fabric. Position the monogram on the centre of the white fabric circle and iron in place.  Using the sewing machine, stitch around the monogram using a buttonhole stitch. Moisten the edges of the white circle with spray on starch. Place it wrong side up on the ironing board. Place the card circle template on top, and then press the seam allowances over the edge of the card so that they are ironed under. Pin the ric rac trim around the circumference of the circle.
3.       From the yard of fabric, cut two rectangles that measure 22 inches x 32 inches. Use a dinner plate to round the top two corners on each piece.  Centre the monogram,  5 inches down from the centre top and stitch in place using a scant seam allowance so that the white circle and ric rac trim are sewn in place.
4.       Overlock the sides and top of each fabric piece. Pin right sides together. Sew from the bottom on one side around to the top and back down the other side, leaving a 2 inch gap in the centre top (for the hanger the fit through). Clip curves and press seam allowances open. On the bottom edge, fold up one inch and press. Fold up another inch and press. Stitch around hem. Press.
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Filed Under: Sewing, Sewing Tutorials

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Comments

  1. suzitee says

    January 9, 2012 at 1:38 am

    There are lots of great projects in that book Lisa…congratulations on another publication!

    Reply
  2. Patchwork and Play says

    January 9, 2012 at 1:59 am

    Great idea! I’ve also been doing an annual clean-up! Ah, purging is very cleansing!

    Reply
  3. Stephanie says

    January 9, 2012 at 4:56 am

    Gosh I can imagine a closet filled with such pretty dust covers! I think the “S” is for Stephanie. :o)

    Reply
  4. Chocolate Cat says

    January 9, 2012 at 10:45 am

    Not quite sure Lisa how you always seem to know just what project I need for my home!!! I have a few of those dancing concerts and special dresses that need protection too!

    Reply
  5. BLONDEDESIGN says

    January 9, 2012 at 1:05 pm

    perfect idea. Kx

    Reply
  6. Thimbleanna says

    January 9, 2012 at 3:36 pm

    So, So Cute Lisa!!! I love the colors and the monogram and everything about it!

    Reply
  7. Connie says

    January 9, 2012 at 5:17 pm

    Thank you! I was working on decluttering my master bedroom closet yesterday and thought about making some of these and then I find your post today without even looking!!!

    Reply
  8. Kirsty@Bonjour says

    January 10, 2012 at 1:15 am

    This is a great idea – I should do one for my wedding dress. I’m too lazy to get it professionally boxed (or whatever that hundred dollar procedure they sell at the drycleaners is called) but at least I could give her a cover.

    Reply
  9. keynko says

    January 17, 2012 at 12:53 pm

    I’m off to make some for me! neat idea

    Reply
  10. Anonymous says

    January 26, 2012 at 3:32 am

    As i am on the large side and my clothes are wider i used your idea but made it bigger. Tahnks for the idea

    Reply
  11. Jen Conlon says

    February 10, 2012 at 6:25 pm

    Great tutorial! You’ve been featured on the Quality Sewing Tutorials blog.

    We hand select only the best free tutorials and patterns for home sewers.

    Grab a brag button!

    Reply
  12. Anonymous says

    April 1, 2012 at 1:17 pm

    Why not make it longer, to “protect”
    the hemline?”

    Reply

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