How To Make Reversible Kitchen Appliance Covers

Just in time for projects I was wanting to make — covers for my kitchen appliances! And this tutorial tells how to make them reversible — this comes to us from SarahSews blog via SewMamaSew blog. Try these and let us know how you do!

Reversible Appliance Cover Tutorial can be adapted for just about any appliance in your home. Do you want to protect your sewing machine from dust? Do you want to hide the TV? Show us what you create in the photo pool!

You’ll need:

1/3 yard each of 2 different 44” wide fabrics (henceforth referred to as fabric A and fabric for the outside of the cover*
1/3 yard of 44” wide flannel for the inner layer
½ yard of 44” wide fabric for bias trim
Matching thread
Sewing machine
Scissors
Straight pins
Tape measure
Tailor’s chalk or marking pen
Ruler
Rotary cutter and mat are helpful, but not necessary

*Note that these fabric requirements are for a standard size, two slice toaster. Fabric requirements will vary depending upon the size of the appliance you wish to cover.
Pre-wash and press all of your fabric.

Measurements and math:
Loosely measure your toaster with a tape measure. First measure all the way around the sides and write down this number (my toaster measured 28” around). Now measure from the midpoint along the top to where the countertop and appliance meet (for me, this was 8.5”).

Let’s do some math now! Divide the side measurement by 2, as we will construct the cover using two pieces (my measurement started as 28” and is now 14”). Now add 1” to both the width and height measurements to account for seam allowances. The final measurements for the fabric are now 15” for the width and 9.5” for the height.

Cut the fabric accordingly:
1. Cut 2 – 15” x 9.5” pieces from fabric A
2. Cut 2 – 15” x 9.5” pieces from fabric B
3. Cut 2 – 15” x 9.5” pieces from flannel
4. Cut 2” fabric strips on the bias from the ½ yard piece of fabric (explained in detail below). You will need about 30” total of bias strips, although it is always better to make too much than too little.

Cutting the Bias Tape:
To cut fabric on the bias, neatly lay out your fabric with one of the selvage edges closest to you. Align your ruler at a 45 degree angle to the nearest selvage edge and cut the fabric carefully along this angle. It is important that you maintain the correct angle while cutting, so go slowly.

Move your ruler over 2” and cut once more. You now have one 2” wide bias strip. Create more strips until you have at least 30” of bias strips. Remember, it’s just fine to make more than you will need, as it can be used for another project. The amount of bias tape you will need will vary depending upon the size of your appliance. To determine how much you will need, simply measure the item around all sides and add 2”.

It helps to have a rotary cutter, mat, and clear ruler for this step, but you can complete this step with a plain ruler, tailor’s chalk or a marking pen, and scissors. Use the chalk to draw out even bias strips before cutting your fabric.

Time to sew (use ½” seam allowances throughout):
1. With right sides together, pin both pieces of fabric A. Sew along the top and sides only, leaving one long edge untouched. Press seams open.
2. Place both pieces of fabric B with right sides together. Now place one flannel piece on the bottom and one on top.

You now have a four-layer “fabric sandwich”. Sew along the top and sides only. It helps to use a heavyweight needle and a longer stitch length when sewing all of these layers. Press seams open.

Create box corners:
1. Place fabric A over your toaster, with the wrong sides of the fabric facing out. The fabric will naturally mold itself around the toaster which will help you to create these corners. Pull the corner of the fabric out and find where the fabric and toaster edge meet. Now move your fingers out an inch (toward the fabric point) and place a pin through the fabric.

2. Now take the cover off of your toaster and with a ruler and chalk (or marking pen) draw a straight line right beside the pin.

3. Remove the pin now and shift the fabric so that the seams match up. Once the seams are aligned, place the pin through the fabric again.
4. Sew along the straight line that you made, creating the box corner.

5. Note that the corner should look like this when you turn the fabric out.

6. Measure the distance from the point to the stitching line. Write down this measurement.

7. Using the measurement you just took, draw a line that many inches in on the opposite corner of fabric A. Basically, we want these corners to measure up exactly for a clean symmetrical look when we’re done. Stitch along this line, making sure that the seams line up.

8. Now check the fit of the cover on your toaster. If you are pleased with the fit, then cut off the excess corner fabric.

*If the fit is too snug, rip out your seams and redraw your line closer to the point. If the fit is too loose, simply redraw your line further in and stitch (no need to rip seams).

9. Similarly, create box corners for fabric B. Simply use the measurement from step 6 to draw your lines and then stitch.
10. Press all four corner seams.

Put the cover together:
1. Turn fabric A right side out. Fit fabric B within, so that the wrong sides of both pieces are together.

2. If one of the pieces is longer than the other, pin the two sections together along the bottom edge. Carefully cut away any extra fabric so that both pieces are the same length.

3. Set the cover aside.

Create bias tape:
1. Piece the bias tape together by pinning the edges of two strips together, allowing the pointed corners to overlap slightly.

2. Stitch as close to the edge as possible.

3. It is important that the points overlap a bit and that the stitching is close to the edge. This will ensure that you end up with a fairly straight strip of bias tape. Continue to pin and sew the strips together until you have enough bias tape for the project. Press the tiny seams open.

4. Now fold the tape in half, with long edges together, and press.

5. Open the tape up and fold both edges in so that they meet at the crease you just made. Press.

6. Do not open the tape this time, but simply fold once more along the original crease line. The unfinished edges of the bias tape should be neatly tucked in now.

Finishing touches:
1. It’s time to sew the bias tape to the appliance cover. To do so, open up the bias tape and line up the unfinished edge of the tape to the bottom edge of the appliance cover. Pin the tape in place.

2. At the beginning and end of stitching the bias tape, be sure to fold over a small portion of the unfinished edges of the tape for a clean, finished look. Now stitch along the crease that is nearest to the bottom edge of the cover.

3. Once the bias tape is in place on one side, fold it down and under the appliance cover and pin it in place to the other side.

4. You have two choices here. You may either hand stitch the bias tape closed with a slip stitch or machine stitch the tape in place. If you machine stitch the tape, be sure to catch both sides of the bias tape in your stitching. It may help to trim the bottom edge of the cover pieces a bit to ensure that the tape matches up on both sides.

Now you’re done. Dress your toaster and begin planning the next appliance cover you’d like to make!

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