My wheel chair cover

 

So I recently bought a wheel chair for myself. It took a bit of shopping around and trying different ones to find the best fit. I went for the excel G Logic (18" standard seat) in the end. However it came with a bright orange and black seat (other colours are usually available). Of course there is nothing wrong with this, but it isn't really my style, so I wanted to make a cover for it. I knew I needed to make it removable for washing so I used snap fastenings as they are quick and easy. I also wanted it reversible to be able to change the look, but also if I spilled anything, it can be quickly flipped until washing. I picked out a lovely patterned piece of cord fabric for the front, hopefully for some durability, and a cotton which I quilted for the reverse.  I will say the cord is totally not necessary and cotton for both sides would work just as well, you could also try a canvas or denim. 

I didn't take any photos during construction, so this can't be an in depth tutorial unfortunately. However these are the measurements and some instructions, which you might find useful I you want to make one. I will say not all wheel chairs are one size so unless you have the excel G logic, you will have to tweak them a bit. The main thing would be to measure the width of your seat and use a tape measure to check if you need to add to the length, making sure it folds over at the top and under at the front, remembering to add seam allowance too.

Measurements (HxW) :

main panel- 2@ 40 1/2" x 18 3/4" (plus 1x batting and 2x interfacing)

tab 1- 4@ 3" x 1 3/4" (plus 2x interfacing)

tab 2- 4@ 3" x 2 1/4" (plus 2x interfacing)

tab 3- 4@ 1 1/2" x 3" (plus 2x interfacing)

5 sets of kam snaps 

Instructions :

1.  Cut out the 2 main panels. For the first one add interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric. For the second piece of fabric, place wrong side to the batting and then add interfacing to the other side of the batting. Use a longer stitch length to quilt and hold all 3 layers together (for this side I cut the fabric bigger than needed then trimmed back after quilting).
2. Next make the 6 tabs. Interface the fabric then place 2 pieces right sides together. Sew 3 sides (leaving one Height side) , using a 1/4" seam allowance. Turn out through the unsewn edge, press and top stitch for a neat finish. 
3. Baste the tabs in place, with the raw/unsewn edge at the outer edge of the main panel. If you are using a different fabric for each side, check the matching fabric is right sides together. Tab 1 should be placed 3/4" from the top edge of the main panel. Tab 2 should be 5 1/4" down from the top edge. There should be 2" between tabs 1 and 2. Tab 3 should be 5" up from the bottom of the main panel. I would recommend placing on the chair, to check your happy with placement before doing the next step. 
4. Place one of the main panels right sides together with the other main panel that has all 6 tabs basted in place. Sew all the way around the edge, using a 1/4" seam allowance. Remembering to leave a turning gap at the bottom.
5. Once sewn together, turn out through the gap. Press and hand stitch up the turning gap. Don't worry if its not too neat, as it will not be seen easily under the wheel chair. Top stitch all the way around the edge for a neat finish, remembering to keep the tabs out of the way of this stitch line.
6. Add the snaps in place. You may wish to put it on your chair to check and mark placement of your snaps. The bottom snaps that go with tab 3 are placed through the main panel 3/4" in from the bottom corner.  
7. Finally fasten the cover in to the wheel chair and crease where the back of the seat meets the base. Use a hera marker or pins to mark the line, then top stitch along it. This is not necessary although does make the cover sit in place better.

The full cover laid flat.

Tab 3 and snap on main panel.

Tab 1 & 2 on main panel.

I hope these instructions and few photos make it understandable and will be useful if you are wanting to make one yourself.

Mx 

The sweet wonder quilt!

 

I recently had the pleasure of testing made just sew’s latest quilt pattern. It is fabulous! I’m in love with the baby quilt I made and the bonus is, it was so simple to make. It’s a quick make too, start to finish for me was about  10 days, but I know a lot of people in the test group did it faster. 

So more details about my quilt. I used dinosaur themed fabrics in blue and greens:

The dinosaur fabrics are camelot (no name on my cut), foot print is 'i love you this much' by leanne & kayttyn anderson for henry glass, teal dot print is upper case volume 3 circular logic for windham fabrics. Binding is the Navy Blue tonal fabric Spectrastatic II collection by Giucy Giuce for Andover Makower

I used aurifil 50wt thread, 2021 for Construction. Then 1320 and 2805 for the quilting.

I actually quilted this quilt myself, since it was a manageable 42” square. I used the walk book by jacquie Gering. It was still simple lines, but made an impactful design on the quilt.

I couldn’t resist making a cushion to be gifted with the quilt. I wanted it to match the centre of the quilt. I had to resize the pattern, but it was worth the effort to match. I also did matching quilting design and used my favourite way to sew a cushion back to complete it.

You can find the cushion back tutorial here!

I just had to take this quilt for a little trip out to get some #quiltsinthewild photos. I think I found the perfect background at the York museum gardens. More photos can been found on my Instagram @craftylilmouse

Overall I would highly recommend giving this pattern a try, Claire’s other patterns are great too, and you can buy them here!

There was plenty of amazing testers versions, which means there plenty of colour inspiration to get you started too. You can have a look on this handy blog post here or check out the #sweetwonderquilt on Instagram, why not give @madejustsew a follow too while you are there!

Mx