Instructions | Matzah Cover

posted on April 9, 2010, at 12:23 pm

matzah cover and afikomen cloth

This tutorial is for the Matzah Cover, which measures approximately 14½” x 14½” (37 x 37cm) without the bullion fringe. The Afikomen Cloth is from a pattern by Molly’s Sketchbook, from the purl bee website. Also, thank you to Trish Harper for your invaluable input.

MATERIALS

MAIN FABRIC : for top and bottom – 2 x 16″x16″ (41 x 41 cm) squares of decorative fabric

LINING FABRIC : for lining top and bottom, plus inner 2 layers – 4 x 16″x16″ (41 x 41 cm) squares of lightweight cotton fabric

DECORATIVE CENTRE PANEL : 8½” x 6″ (21.5 x 12.5 cm)

LETTERS AND CENTRE PANEL BORDER : 12″ (30 cm)

BINDING : 6″ (15cm) decorative fabric

NOTIONS :

gold cord
embroidery floss to match the colour of the letters
gold metallic embroidery floss
2 yds (1.8 m) bullion fringe
1 pkt (100) gold seed beads
sewing cottons in matching and contrast colours
8″ (20cm) vliesofix
18″ (45 cm) fusible interfacing for the bottom layer of the cover (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

STEP 1 : Cut the main pieces of your matzah cover as follows…

Main fabric : 2 x 15½” x 15½” (39.5 x 39.5 cm) pieces

Lining fabric : 4 x 15½” x 15½” (39.5 x 39.5 cm) pieces

STEP 2 : Create the centre panel

Cut a panel from your contrast fabric measuring 8½” x 6″ (21.5 x 12.5 cm).

Print the hebrew letters spelling out “matzah” (or if you prefer the more traditional “pesach”) on plain printer paper, and trace over them onto the vliesofix.

Next, iron them onto the reverse side of your contrast fabric, cut them out, peel off the back paper and iron the letters, right side up, onto the right side of your centre panel fabric.

Using a matching embroidery floss, stitch around the edges with a small blanket stitch.

Once that is complete, using a darker embroidery floss, stitch a daisy chain over the top of the blanket stitch.

Then, with a metallic gold thread, go over the daisy chain with a whipped chain stitch to create a rope stitch, like this…

As an aside, if you are new to embroidery, or need a reminder, I find this little book invaluable. I’m not sure if it’s still being printed. You could try calling Mrs Sew & So on 0061.3.5264.5227 (Victoria, Australia). Otherwise, there are others you can buy that are equally as good.

STEP 3 : Cut 4 strips of the same fabric you used for the letters, and sew them around the edges, creating a frame for the panel.

Next, using a fine slip-stitch, sew the panel onto the front of the matzah cover, centering it. I didn’t measure it, I just eyeballed it, but you can be more exact if you like.

Next, add a gold cord trim to accentuate the inside of the frame. Split the gold metallic thread to use only 3 strands, and slip stitch the cord in place, tucking the ends into the corners of the frame as shown.

So now, the top of your matzah cover is complete.

STEP 4 : Padding the bottom layer of the cover.

Cut a piece of fusible interfacing the same size as your bottom layer. Now, cut away ¼” from one edge. Lay the interfacing, fusible side down onto the wrong side of your bottom layer as shown:

Turn the “sandwich” over, and place another piece of cloth over the entire item to protect your iron from the fusible interfacing. Press your interfacing so that it fuses onto the bottom fabric.

Take a piece of the lining, cut it to the same measurements as your bottom layer, and, with right sides together, sew a seam along the part where you’ve cut the interfacing edge. Turn to the right side and press the seam.

STEP 5 : The inner layers

Now, take two pieces of lining, and turn in ½” on one of the edges. Fold this in half and pin. Take a contrast colour for the top thread and, leaving the bobbin thread to match the colour of the lining, topstitch two rows close together as shown.

STEP 6 : Take top of your matzah cover, and the last piece of lining and, with right sides together, stitch the front seam.

STEP 7 : Creating the “stack”


Place the padded bottom layer of your matzah cover lining-side-up on the table. Next, place the two inner layers on top, with the decorative topstitching facing up and in front. Finally, place your lined top layer, face up, on the top of your stack, creating three pockets. You’re now ready to sew all layers together.

Next, pin around the side and back edges, and rule lines with tailors chalk to create a guide for the stitching line.

Then, machine sew approximately 1/8″ inside my lines around the three sides, leaving the front of the cover open for placing three sheets of matzah inside.

At this point, lay your sewn matzah cover onto your cutting mat and check that your seams are straight to create a clean square. If you need to adjust one of the edges, this is the time to do that.

STEP 8 : We’re now ready to trim and edge the whole cover with our binding fabric. Cut 3 strips of fabric measuring 17″ x 2″ (43cm x 5cm).

First, iron along one of the long edges of each piece to create a neat seam. Then, sew the unturned edge of the binding onto the first side of your cover.

Fold the binding over the edge and hand-stitch in place. Continue around the remaining two sides in the same way, remembering to turn in the edges at the corners and the front ends.

You should have a cover that looks like this:

STEP 9 : Finishing with a bullion fringe

Pin the bullion fringe all the way around your cover, making sure that you only pin along the top layer of the front. Starting along the bottom edge of the fringe “top”, machine or hand sew it onto the cover. When you get to the corners, gently ease the fringe around. It will lay flat for you nicely, there’s usually a fair bit of give, and you can finish it off with a second row of stitching across the top edge of the fringe.