Dust Cover for the bernette 62/64/68 AIRLOCK

Dear Overlocker enthusiast, if you need a break from using your bernette 62, 64 or 68 AIRLOCK, you may want to store it temporarily with this fabric dust cover. It is a simple cover, because other than the faux cuffs of the pockets and the cuff at the hem, no decorative elements or stitches are used, only the fabric plays its magic.

Here you can see the front of the bernette dust cover with the machine underneath. Looks simple, right?

This is the sewing side with its pocket for the foot control and cord, or for the accessories box and the large/small coverstitch insert of the b62/68.

Same is the handwheel side with its pocket for accessories.

The pockets are hemmed with a faux cuff, folded like a blind hem. I will show you later how to sew it.

On the thread stand side I added a pocket for the extension table, knee lifter lever and quick start guide.

I finished the hem of the bernette dust cover with a cuff of 2 cm width.

Material list for a bernette dust cover

The bernette dust cover is sewn with 4-thread Overlock on the b64. In addition, I used the 2-thread Chainstitch of the b62 for basting. If you have a b68, then you can use one machine for both stitches!

Furthermore you need needles ELx705 CF, standard of the b60.

Fabrics and Notions

Choose a denim for the middle panel and the side pockets. Select quilting cotton or a fabric of similar quality for the side panels, the rear pocket and the cuff at the hem. The quilting cotton for my dust cover is from my fabric pile, the design is called “Peacock Flourish” by Ann Lauer. I’m sure you will find something suitable in your stash as well. Of course you are free to choose the fabric qualities you prefer. Maybe you have some remnants you would like to use instead of the denim?

Threads

As usual, I recommend using quality threads for longer lasting seams that withstand wear and tear and washing. My cupboard holds a variety of Mettler Seracor 120. Maybe you have Mettler Seracor 120 in the colours of your fabrics. A total of 6 spools is enough.

Besides grey I chose 5 different colours: yellow, green, blue, red, purple. It’s fun to switch it up and choose multiple colours!

Optional accessories

I made a simple version of the bernette dust cover which did not require any additional accessories. Of course you can also use decorative stitches or add decorations with the optional accessories, for example for pintucks, ruffles, strands of beads and sequins or piping. Let your imagination run wild.

Here is a picture of the optional Presser-Foot set for overlock stitches which provides you with the presser feet and instructions for various overlocker or cover techniques. Please find more information under www.bernette.com. Please note that the availability of the Presser-Foot sets differs from country to country. Best ask your bernette dealer if there is a set available for your machine.

Cutting

Middle panel, Denim: 42 x 82 cm (1 piece)
Side pockets, Denim: 32 x 36 cm (2 pieces, mirrored)
Rear pocket, Quilting Cotton: 42 x 32 cm (1 piece)
Cuff hem, Quilting Cotton, strip 6 x 150 cm (1 piece or assemble to become 1 piece)
Side panels, Quilting Cotton: see pattern (2 pieces, mirrored) outer line includes 1 cm seam allowance

And here the cutting instructions in inch:

Middle panel, Denim: 16 1/2 x 32 1/2″ (1 piece)
Side pockets, Denim: 13 x 14″ (2 pieces, mirrored)
Rear pocket, Quilting Cotton: 16 1/2 x 13″ (1 piece)
Cuff hem, Quilting Cotton, strip 2 1/2 y 59″ (1 piece or assemble to become 1 piece)
Side panels, Quilting Cotton: see pattern (2 pieces, mirrored) outer line includes 3/8″ seam allowance

Cutting like listed above, all pieces include a seam allowance of 1 cm (3/8″), i.e. when sewing with the overlocker, set a cutting width of 6 – 7 mm (1/4″) and trim approx. 3 mm (1/8″).

Here is a sketch of the bernette dust cover design with measurements. If you find this useful, you may download a .pdf for printing below:

If you prefer to print the sketch, you may download this pdf file: b60 dust cover b62-64 design and measurements

To download a pattern for the side panel in cm, please use this link to an A4 file containing 4 pages: pattern b60 cm EN incl seam allowance A4

If you prefer the pattern for the side panel in inch, letter format printing: pattern b60 inch EN incl seam allowance letter

How to sew the bernette dust cover

As usual, the small parts/details are sewn first before assembling the project and finishing it.

Stitches and Threading

Since no decorative elements are implemented, we could sew everything with a 4-thread overlock. However, I recommend basting the pockets onto the parts with 2-thread chainstitch before assembling the side panels with the centre strip, this helps to prevent pins from accidentally getting between the knives.

If you don’t have the possibility of sewing a chainstitch basting, use your sewing machine with the basting/long stitch.

My tip: for 4-thread overlock, thread the left needle with the thread colour that matches the fabric colour best, so that the seams that should not be visible can hide as good as possible.

Pocket hems

Thread the machine with 4-thread Overlock.

For both side pockets and the rear pocket, fold one long side under by 6 cm (2 1/2″) and then fold back again at 6 cm (2 1/2″) width, so that the folding imitates the one of a blind hem.

Stitch along the fold while cutting off 3 mm (1/8″).

Hem all three pockets in the same way.

Press all hems.

Baste pockets into place

Thread your coverstitch machine with 2-thread chainstitch. On my b62 I used the centre needle for easier guiding along the edge of the presser foot. Your needle/fabric edge distance should be approx. 7 mm (1/4″). Please consider this if you are using another machine/technique (for example when basting the pockets with your sewing machine).

Place the rear pocket onto the middle strip. Pin along the side seams as well as along the bottom seam.

Place the side pockets onto the side panels. Pin along the side seams as well as along the bottom seam.

Baste along the side seams and the bottom seams of all three pockets while guiding the fabric edge along the edge of the presser foot.

Sewn this looks as follows:

Joining the middle and side panels

Mark the checkmarks on the side panels according to the pattern in case you have not done this yet.

According to the checkmarks on the dust cover pattern sketch (respectively the side panel pattern), draw the checkmarks onto the middle panel.

Pin the first side panel right sides together with the middle panel, having the checkmarks aligned.

Pin the second side panel right sides together with the other side of the middle panel, also having the checkmarks aligned.

Baste the parts together, using the 2-thread chainstitch. Again I guide the fabrics along the edge of the presser foot, you have to consider the 7 mm (1/4″) distance again. My tip is to have the middle panel lying on top, that makes it easier to guide along the straight cut edge.

The feed dog will help guide the rounded side panel.

Does your sewn project look like mine?

You may notice that in the side panel the seam allowance is slightly off, but don’t worry about that. Just make sure you have not accidentally sewn pleats at the curves. Should you have sewn in pleats, it would be easy to undo the 2-thread chainstitch for a few centimetres and then baste again correctly.

Now, both sides can be stitched and neatened with 4-thread overlock. While sewing, guide the chainstitch towards the right needle mark on the tip of the presser foot. I recommend for this seam to have the side panels on the upper side to make sure no pleats are sewn in when sewing the curve.

However, I noticed that my b64 had some difficulties to cleanly cut-off less than the approx. 3 mm (1/8″) seam allowance, especially over seams. Therefore, I recommend, you sew slow and watch what happens under the presser foot and right in front of the knife, just in case you need to give a little help manually.

When successful, it can look like this.

A cuff for a neat finish

For the strip of the hem I had to join two pieces together, due to the width of the fabric. Even when my strips are with the grain, I prefer to sew the joints at a 45- degree angle to avoid thick over seams.

Using the chainstitch is useful as it allows to press the seam allowances apart. You could also do this step with your sewing machine.

To be on the safe side, I then measured the circumference of the bernette dust cover hem line and marked the same length on my hem strip, before closing the strip to a circle.

Press the seam allowances apart, then fold the strip in half, wrong sides facing, press.

Pin the cuff onto the dust cover, right sides facing.

Stitch the cuff in place using 4-thread overlock. Make sure to remove the pins before they reach the knife.

At the end of the circle, sew a few stitches over the first stitches to secure the seam.

I prefer to pull the thread chain under the stitches or between the layers to have a nice and durable finish.

I pressed the seam allowance towards the cuff because of the thicker seams of the panels with pockets.

There you have it, my bernette dust cover, and hopefully yours too, in action!

You may notice, the rear pocket is just tight enough for the slide-on table, but it should fit as you sticked to the 40 cm (15 3/8″) width. If it is too tight, store the table standing on its short side.