Sewing a dust-cover. No sewing experience. Looking for "good enough".

October 11, 2008 2:04 PM

I need to make a dust-cover for a plotter (dimensions: 36" x 11" x 10"). I would like it to be: cheap, easy, functional. I have no sewing experience, but can follow directions. I am also open to other suggestions. More detailed information and questions follow.

I have no access to a sewing machine; and while I hold those who possess sewing skills in high regard, I would like to learn the absolute minimum it takes to complete this dust-cover in a satisfactory manner. It doesn't have to be beautiful, and it doesn't have to be particularly durable, it will be gently and infrequently used.

A couple of questions:
* What, in your opinion, is the best fabric to use?
* What materials do I need?
* Is there a cheap, pre-made alternative to sewing it myself (or something that can be converted to this purpose)?
* What are some design features that I not addressing or overlooking that will only become apparent to me after the product is made?

The physical dimensions are 36" x 11" x 10", and a photograph of the object in question can be found here. Will provide any additional information should anyone need it. Thanks a ton.

posted by jjjjjjjijjjjjjj to home & garden (13 comments total)

If you don't have access to a machine, you might commission someone on Etsy Alchemy to make it. Sewing by hand would take a fair bit of effort. You could trace the shape of the end on a piece of paper, scan it and email a PDF of the shape to whoever takes the job. You could make it from any fabric that's woven tightly enough to exclude dust, or even a knit (T-Shirt) fabric if you wanted it to stretch-fit.
posted by jon1270 at 2:16 PM on October 11, 2008

Liking the "stretch fit" idea... Something that I hadn't really considered. I had toyed with the idea of having some sort of elastic "garter" something at the bottom (like those in fitted sheets). But your idea improves upon that.

Hadn't heard of the website you mentioned, but I will definitely give it a look. What do you think it would run, price-wise (ballpark, of course) ? Thanks for the suggestions.
posted by jjjjjjjijjjjjjj at 2:23 PM on October 11, 2008

What do you think it would run, price-wise (ballpark, of course) ?

Through Etsy, I'd guess maybe $20 plus shipping, so $25 out the door. It would require maybe 1 - 1.25 yards of fabric. A wide variety of cotton weaves and knits are available for perhaps $5-$7 a yard, some even cheaper, and making this is a piece of cake.

As to fabric choice and design, a couple of considerations come to mind. One is that lighter fabrics will fold and store away more easily (you mention using it only infrequently) while heavier wovens (like canvas) will hold their shape and perhaps look better. Also, if it's made to the shape of the plotter then it will have a distinct front and back, so you may want to make one end of the cover out of a contrasting fabric so that it's obvious which end goes to the right and which to the left.
posted by jon1270 at 2:36 PM on October 11, 2008

These guys seem to be able to make one out of vinyl for less than $20 based on your dimensions. I can't vouch for them, but that price is probably less than you would send on a DIY solution if you don't already have basic sewing supplies and skills.
posted by TedW at 2:42 PM on October 11, 2008

There are glues that can supposedly be used in place of a sewn seam; that would simplify your task, assuming you can cut and glue. I have no experience with any of these glues, but for something that isn't going to go through a lot of wear they might do the trick.
posted by le morte de bea arthur at 4:22 PM on October 11, 2008

Thanks to all for the help so far. Thoughtful suggestions and very helpful. One (large) thing remains unclear to me, though: I would like some help on designing the actual pattern that would be used.

The "I have no access to a sewing machine" part would've been better stated as "I have no access to a sewing machine that I can think of at the moment..." Meaning, I suppose that if this was an absolutely essential requirement (which, after reading the response, is looking more and more likely to be the case), I can ask around and call in favors, or whatever...

So, slightly re-focused: how does one go about designing a sewing pattern for a dust-cover?
posted by jjjjjjjijjjjjjj at 5:03 PM on October 11, 2008

I think you're overthinking this. If it's roughly a 3D rectangle that needs to be sewn, for one specific instance, kind of like a tea cozy for a machine, this is easy. A pattern really wouldn't need to be made, unless you're thinking of doing this again, or if you want complicated features on this (i.e. contrasting fabric inside/outside, puckering, pleats, pockets, etc.).

You could put your measurements and requirements up on the Etsy alchemy site, or just pick whatever fabric floats your boat, take the measurement to your local tailor, and have them make one.

Or buy some big felt pieces and glue them together with fabric glue.
posted by barnone at 5:13 PM on October 11, 2008

I actually think you could make this with a minimum amount of sewing-- here's a pattern for a sewing machine cover that you could adapt. if you're gentle with it, there's no reason hand sewing this wouldn't last.

otherwise: take a 47"x33" piece of fabric, sew two straight seams up the ends, and slide it over the plotter. it will look like it has an envelope with pointy corners at the two ends but you said pretty doesn't matter... :)

Fabric: If you're keeping it indoors, you could use pretty much any fabric. Muslin, pretty cotton you like...the stretchy fabric seems like a good idea. I'd just buy roughly the right amount and pin two straight seams up the ends so you know where to sew.

If you're keeping it in a garage, I'd look for a vinyl tablecloth with the fuzzy inside and create some kind of flap for the bottom as well--maybe just an extra-long envelope to set the plotter inside and roll down the top? Sew some ribbons on to keep it closed...
posted by lemonade at 5:29 PM on October 11, 2008

I would add that the fabric should be relatively lint-free, lest it generate the very dust you are trying to get rid of.
posted by TedW at 5:56 PM on October 11, 2008

Are you going to be at the St. Louis meetup? My wife thinks she could set you up.
posted by Kid Charlemagne at 6:54 PM on October 11, 2008

These guys have them for sale too.
posted by barnone at 8:12 PM on October 11, 2008

Last post, sorry. I was thinking about alternatives.

You know those big square plastic zipper bags that comforters come in? One of those would work perfectly. You could have the whole thing in there, then zip open to use. Or just cut off the bottom so you can slip it on and off. If you don't want plastic touching it for some reason, you could easily use spray-adhesive to lay some lint-free fabric down inside. Easy peasy, no sewing.
posted by barnone at 8:18 PM on October 11, 2008

Thanks so much. Great answers/guidance all-around. I will think on it for a couple of days and decide on how best to proceed with it (much better for all y'alls advice, most definitely).

Kid Charlemagne: Are you going to be at the St. Louis meetup? My wife thinks she could set you up.

Your wife's offer is a very kind one. Please thank her for me. Y'know... I've never once gone to any kind of internetpeople meet up, but I've got no good excuse, and this kind of settled it for me. I'm going. I live 3 minutes from the place where the meetup is and, dammit, I'll go.

(Do people call each other by their usernames at such things? I hope so. No short-cuts or nicknames, please, while addressing me. I simply must insist that you use my entire username. Let's keep it formal.)
posted by jjjjjjjijjjjjjj at 8:26 PM on October 11, 2008