How do you Protect your Sit down Longarm?
#1
I have covers for my domestic machines, but not for my Q16 Bernina long arm and table. I just throw a flattie over it while it waits its turn to be quilted. I would like a more customized look. What do ya'll do?
#3
I don't have a longarm, but have made several covers for most of my machines. The Pfaff and my 99K both came in cases. There are some very simple (free) patterns on the internet. You might be able to find one for a longarm specifically. I always put a cover on the particular machine I am using once I am done sewing for the day.
Shari
Shari
#4
Power Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 18,340
My S16 sits there in all her nakedness!
Unless my machines are packed away, I do not cover them.
If you're wanting to cover yours, you could make a cover easy enough.
Perhaps orphan blocks? Or a quilt? Or a leader/ender project til you have enough?
I'd just fold in 1/2 for a flat sleeve and then do boxed corners.
Would take some measuring to make sure you had the right size needed.
Maybe add pockets on the side, to hold rulers/tools you use only with the machine?
Now you have me thinking ... perhaps I should spiff mine up, using a flimsy that has no specific destiny at this time! What better way than for me to keep enjoying that flimsy. All.By.Myself!
Unless my machines are packed away, I do not cover them.
If you're wanting to cover yours, you could make a cover easy enough.
Perhaps orphan blocks? Or a quilt? Or a leader/ender project til you have enough?
I'd just fold in 1/2 for a flat sleeve and then do boxed corners.
Would take some measuring to make sure you had the right size needed.
Maybe add pockets on the side, to hold rulers/tools you use only with the machine?
Now you have me thinking ... perhaps I should spiff mine up, using a flimsy that has no specific destiny at this time! What better way than for me to keep enjoying that flimsy. All.By.Myself!
Last edited by QuiltE; 07-27-2025 at 07:07 AM.
#6
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 1,102
I took quilted practice piece from when I first got my machine and made a cover for it. I folded it in thirds on a short end and sewed it closed to that the end fitted over the front handles of my machine. The rest just lays over the machine.
I took a couple of practice quilts and made sleeves for the table leaves for my dinning table. Also made dog bed for a friend.
When I made practice quilts I used cheapest fabric, muslin and batting. Perfect for these uses.
Don't make them anymore.
I took a couple of practice quilts and made sleeves for the table leaves for my dinning table. Also made dog bed for a friend.
When I made practice quilts I used cheapest fabric, muslin and batting. Perfect for these uses.
Don't make them anymore.
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Oregon
Posts: 3,417
I made some no-frills covers for a few of my antique machines which had no covers. I also have a Q-16 and looked for a pattern for making a cover for it. There is one for purchase by a Bernina representative, but it's crazy expensive. I have just been throwing a sample quilting piece over it, but I, too, want to make a cover for it. I think I may use a pattern for a sewing machine cover and just adapt the measurements to the long arm. If you make one, I hope you'll share what you did here!
#8
I live in the country with a caliche driveway. We get dust. I want to protect my expensive toy. I just need a pattern.
I made a boogie board case with a zipper using indoor/outdoor fabric by tracing around the surfboard, cutting 2 pieces, and a wide zipper strip to go around. I guess I could just go for it, but I/O fabric is not cheap, if I make mistakes.
Everyone loves pictures, so here are pics of my board project. BTW, I traded a custom t-shirt quilt (of surfing her competitions) for the custom made board. It is a treasure!
I made a boogie board case with a zipper using indoor/outdoor fabric by tracing around the surfboard, cutting 2 pieces, and a wide zipper strip to go around. I guess I could just go for it, but I/O fabric is not cheap, if I make mistakes.
Everyone loves pictures, so here are pics of my board project. BTW, I traded a custom t-shirt quilt (of surfing her competitions) for the custom made board. It is a treasure!
#9
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Carroll, Iowa
Posts: 3,980
For now I just use large tea towels to over my machines if they don't have a hard cover to go over them. For my quilt machine I have a towel over the backside where the thread spool is as I have a kitty that likes to pull on the threads and take off with them. Then I put one over the front side where the robotic tablet is just to keep the dust off in case its days or weeks before I get back to it. I also use Dollar Tree windshield shades to cover my quilt that's on the frame to keep any kitty that thinks it's a great place to snooze. So far it's worked for me and it was cheap. If it's going to be a very long time between uses, I'll use some flat sheets to go over the entire system as there was a time I didn't touch my quilt machine for almost 2 full years. Lots of dust can accumulate in that time when in the basement.
Someday I may find the time to make proper covers for everything but just not right now.
Someday I may find the time to make proper covers for everything but just not right now.
#10
Power Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 18,340
First of all ... great job on the boogie board cover!
Just thinking .... do you still have the box the machine came in?
Turn it upside down and over the machine when not in use.
For pretty-ness, you could always cover it with fabric or a quilt!
However, there is the issue of this big box in the way when you are stitching ... unless you have a lost corner to tuck it into?
Just thinking .... do you still have the box the machine came in?
Turn it upside down and over the machine when not in use.
For pretty-ness, you could always cover it with fabric or a quilt!
However, there is the issue of this big box in the way when you are stitching ... unless you have a lost corner to tuck it into?

