Dust Covers For Objects Stored On Hangers

This section describes three types of dust covers. The simple pull-over dust cover is used for objects in good condition. It is constructed of two pieces of muslin that are cut slightly larger than the width of the garment and sewn along the shoulders and down the sides (Fig. 1).

Figure 1. Simple pull-over muslin dust cover with a seam across the shoulders and down the sides.

For fragile garments, a dust cover that ties shut is more appropriate than the pull-over version (Fig. 2).

Figure 2. Dust cover with tie closures for fragile objects.

• 100% cotton muslin, washed
• 100% cotton twill tape
• Colorfast thread
• Dressmaker shears or pinking shears
• Hook and loop tape
• Padded hangers (See Wolf, “Hanging
• Storage for Garments, System No. 1,” this volume)
• Paper (to draw pattern)
• Pencil
• Pins and needles
• Sewing machine (optional)

Pull-over Dust Cover

1. Lay the garment on paper and using a pencil, trace the outline at least 1/2in from the garment. Add 3in to the width of the shape to allow for seams and some roominess in the bag. The general shape of the dust cover is shown in figure 1.
2. Cut two pieces of muslin using the paper pattern.
3. Machine stitch the sides of the bag using a 1/2in seam allowance. Leave the bottom open and a 1in wide hole at the top center for the hanger hook.
4. Turn the cover inside out (raw seam edges inside) and hem the lower edge.

Dust Cover with Ties

1. Using the paper pattern, cut two pieces of muslin.
2. Machine stitch the two pieces together across the shoulders and a minimum of 6in down the sides. Leave a 1in wide hole at the top center for the hanger hook.
3. Hem the remainder of the sides and bottom edges.
4. Cut 12 pieces of cotton twill tape, each 12in long.
5. Sew three pairs of tapes along each side of the dust cover for closures (Fig. 2).

Dust Cover with Bottom Flap

1. Using the paper pattern, cut one piece from the muslin.
2. Add 18in to the bottom of the paper pattern and use it to cut the second piece of muslin.
3. Finish the sides of the dust cover either as in the pull-over type or the tie-closure type.
4. Sew three 1in-long pieces of one side of the hook and loop tape to the hem of the extended end of the dust cover (Fig. 3).
   
   
   Figure 3. Dust cover with fold-up bottom flap to protect the lower edge of the object.
5. Fold the extended end of the dust cover up and mark the location where the hook and loop tape meets the front side of the dust cover.
6. Machine sew 1in-long pieces of matching side of the hook and loop tape to the muslin.
7. Close the bottom of the bag by pressing the two pieces of hook and loop tape together.