Has anyone made a cover for their long arm?
 

I want to make a cover for my long arm, including the top of the frame, probably with a quilt in progress. I'm thinking of making it in 3 or 4 pieces. I have a 10' table, so I was thinking of 2 runners, each about 7' long X the width of the table plus maybe 12" or so for a bit of overhang. This way I wouldn't have to worry too much about where the head was left on the frame, with 14' total, I should have enough to cover it. Then I was thinking about a 2 pc cover for the machine that would be split sort of down the middle, front to back. I would attach the 2 sides with pieces of strategically placed velcro (not a continuous strip). I wouldn't try to cover the thread 'antenna', I'd let that poke out where the 2 pieces of the cover joined. I don't quilt for hire, and there are occasions the machine is idle for weeks at a time.
Couldn't find anything on google.
Anyone make one for their machine? do you have pictures? Any comments on my plan?

I've been thinking of using a sheet over mine. A quilt would be too heavy for me, even split into pieces, and a sheet would take up less of my storage space when not in use. I hadn't thought about the spool holder, figuring a sheet would be light enough to go over it, but now I'm thinking maybe I would make a hole for it. I could position the hole over the thread holder first, then spread the rest of the sheet out from there. I always try to leave the machine at the far left or far right of the frame, so that might work for me. A sheet would be easier for me to toss in the washer and dryer too.

I use a sheet over mine.

Cari

I don't know anything about long arm quilters but I did find this tutorial on how she made what she calls fabric leaders. Not sure if this is what you are looking for but it is interesting. And then there is one for the Handi Quilter.

http://www.justsewolivia.com/2012/09/tutorial-fabric-leaders-for-longarm.html



http://www.sallysaidsew.com/2016/09/a-new-dust-cover-for-my-handi-quilter.html

I made a quick cover for my machine out of a 2 yard practice I had finished. I simply folded over the raw edges for neatness. Then I folded one end in thirds and sewed the middle together for an inch or two. This created two corner "pockets" to put over the handles on one end of the machine with the rest to cover to the end of the machine. It could be a little longer but this works for me.
I park the machine at one end of the table and cover the table with two old sheets. I only started covering the table recently as we moved and the longarm is now in an unfinished basement(more chance of dust from the ceiling).

I just use a piece of fabric over the machine..clean out the dust and lint from channels and table every 2-3 quilts.

We have a cover over our long arm. My friend made it so it wouldn't collect dust when not in use.

All summer, my machine & frame are in an unfinished loft in our garage. l quilt there most mornings ( it gets too hot by noon). As the door gets openned/closed below when hubby gets out lawn tractor etc, l cover the entire rig ( including quilt-in -progress) with a thin plastic paint dropcloth from the $ store. l once had a bird get trapped up there...the plastic was a life saver!

ditto, I use 2 thin plastic paint dropcloths from the $ store.

Thanks, everyone. Right now I'm just using some ugly yardage I got by mistake, but she deserves so much more!

When I first got my machine, I practiced on a muslin sandwich and that's what I use to cover my longarm. I don't cover my frame but I do put a piece of batting under the machine to catch any oil drips.

When we got married, my Grandmother gave us a set of sheets. We used them for many years, but they are full-sized sheets. Now, I use those sheets and pillowcases as a cover for my long-arm (including the rails). I just lay them over all and then use safety pins to make a "tent" covering all. I think of my Grandmother everytime I go into my sewing room and precious memories abound!

I custom made covers for my sewing machine, serger and my 6 needle embroidery machine. When I got my longarm, I could not face designing and making another custom cover for it - I just wanted to make quilts! I had a 70 inch round table cloth that I was not using - got it out of the linen closet and have been using it ever since. It covers everything, including my prostitcher computer mounted on the top and it is long enough to cover it very well. It is light weight, folds up easily when not being used as a dust cover and washes easily. Since my sewing room is in an extra bedroom, I don't cover my frame when there isn't a quilt on it. I usually have whatever quilt top I am piecing together hanging on the poles, or completed blocks and then rows of the quilt top staged so that I can sew them together in the correct order.

Yes, I have a Tiara II sit down which faces needle front like a long arm. I found the pattern online as a tutorial, can't remember the name, but if you PM me with your email I will send you my directions. I'm sure you could adapt it. It opens in the back and all along the top with Velcro to accommodate the cords, and in your case handles. Sorry for the washed out pics but hopefully you get the idea.
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Not sure why this turned as I turned the file but you get the idea
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Left this open so you could see the Velcro across the top to accommodate the horizontal thread holder and the tall thread guides. Good luck.

I just measured the head, cut out the pieces from some fabric I had, and sewed them together. I measured the length, width, and height of the head. I allowed some slack for the handles from and back.

I have a poly sheet (won't use it on the bed--only cotton!) that I flip over the machine and most of the frame on my Gammill, I'm a little lazy about machine covers!

I just cover my machine with a large pieces of fleece I had laying around.

That's what I do...