5 Minute Sewing Machine Cover Free Tutorial

Learn how to sew a super simple, 5-minute sewing machine cover—even if you’re short on time or new to sewing! This free tutorial is perfect for using up extra fabric while giving your sewing machine a little love and protection.

No complicated patterns or zippers here—just straight-line sewing and a quick finish that gets the job done.

Whether you’re covering your machine to keep dust out or just want to pretty up your sewing space, this easy DIY is a great weekend (or even weekday!) win.

This past week or so I have been kicking around the sewing machine cover thing. I did purchase one and had it in my Christmas stocking…but my mom caught site of it’s cuteness and ran off with it. {it was a bit big for my machine though…so} any whosies.

I took a look at some free sewing machine tutorials around the web here and didn’t find quite what I had in mind. So, I of course had to come up with my own idea.

I was at first thinking that I wanted to use a heavier weight fabric– and that not require a lining…sweet. But, when I sat there spinning in my sewing chair and staring at the shelf full of folded fabric {still new enough in the room it isn’t all messed up yet} I glanced at some kitchen towels. That’s right. A kitchen towel. Guess what? It is a brilliant substitution for us girls who are a bit on the casual {not lazy} side of sewing. I mean, I want things done quickly! Who wants to spend all that time hemming and sizing and cutting? Not me!

So, go grab a kitchen towel and you are totally set to have yourself a cover in about 5 minutes.

Materials needed

• kitchen towel 30 X 18 1/2″ with 4 finished/hemmed edges
• OR Fabric 31″ X 19 1/2″  Hem all 4 edges
• Ribbons 2– 7″ long

Notice that if you have directional fabric– the back will be upside down! Most tea towels repeat the pattern on both edges, so there isn’t any upside down business.

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Step 1:

Fold towel in half and from the top folded edge measure down 7″.

Make a mark on the inside of BOTH sides

Butt both edges up to each other matching up the marks you made. Zig-Zag this edge all the way up to the fold. Don’t worry about getting it all the way, because you will be sewing a box pleat in the corner. Plus it’s a pain! So, stop when it gets difficult.

This is what the zig-zag seam will look like on the right sides:

Step 2:

Fold the top edge {see the corner not sewn with zig-zag} so that zig-zag stitching is right in the middle. Take your ruler and from edge to edge it should measure 4″. The zig-zag being right in the middle at 2″. Draw a line.

Sew on this Drawn line.

Turn right sides out and try on machine. If you need it wider, now is the time to adjust! Re-measure to 5″ and resew the line.

Trim off extra corner.

Step 3:

Grab your ribbon– Let’s get the ties on!

Re-fold the towel and from the folded edge measure 8″ and make a mark on the inside of each side. {Same process as the above steps.}

Lay the ribbon wrong side facing the wrong side of the towel. Sew it down. You want the edge of the ribbon to be just short of the edge.

Fold the ribbon over on the sew spot and sew it again.

Repeat for other side.

Slip onto your sewing machine and try it out.

These are perfect for a quick sewing night with friends… if your tea towel isn’t that fancy, no worries. Add an applique to it to fancy it up.

And that’s it—your sewing machine is now dressed to impress! Who knew a few fabric pieces and some quick stitches could turn into such a useful cover?

Whether you used a fun print, added a little trim, or kept it simple, this project is all about function and fast finishes.

So go ahead—make another one, gift one to a sewing buddy, or just enjoy how tidy your sewing space looks now.

Sewing the Machine Cover Helpful Tips:

• Use pre-quilted fabric to skip the batting and backing step. It adds extra padding and comes in fun textures.
• Add pockets on the sides to hold scissors, seam rippers, or your machine’s foot pedal.
• Measure your machine first! Not all are the same size, so grab the width, depth, and height to make sure your cover fits snugly.
• Try using bias tape or ribbon on the bottom edge instead of folding it under—this adds a pop of color and a polished look.
• Add a label or tag with your name if you take your machine to retreats or classes.
• If your machine lives in a sunny spot, choose a darker fabric or line it to help prevent fading.

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~ Additional Resources ~

• Fabric Book Covers
• Bread Basket Cover
• Heating Pad Cover
• 20 Sewing Machine Covers
• Simple Tissue Cover Pattern
• Crochet Pot Handle Cover Tutorial
• Reversible and Reusable Bowl Cover Pattern

FAQ’S

What size sewing machine does this cover fit?

This cover is designed for standard-sized machines, but you can adjust the measurements to fit yours.

Do I need to add a lining?

No, but adding a lining can give your cover a more finished look and extra durability.

Can I make this cover without a sewing machine?

While a sewing machine makes it quicker, you can hand-sew it if needed.

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