How to Make a Computer Mouse Cover

Dust and electronic items rarely make good friends, and your computer mouse is no exception. Particles of dust, dirt, hair and other sediment in the air can impede your computer mouse's functioning if they get in through the cracks. Though most mice are made to resist this problem, it's a good idea to take precautions if yours is kept in a particularly dusty area. A simple, homemade cloth cover is a great way to keep your mouse safe from dust while you're not using it.

Things You'll Need

• Felt (or other cloth) Scissors Needle and thread (or sewing machine) Dressmaker's chalk cutting board or self-healing mat Ruler or dressmaker's tape measure Pins (straight or safety)

Instructions

1. Lay your fabric on your cutting board or mat. You can use any fabric you like, but felt is a good choice for keeping dust out due to its thickness. It is also durable and does not require hemming.

2. Set your mouse flat on your fabric. Trace around it with your dressmaker's chalk. If you don't have dressmaker's chalk, you can use regular chalk, or you can use a magic marker if you're not concerned about measurement lines staying permanently marked on your mouse cover.

3. Remove the mouse. Around the edges of the outline you've drawn, measure and mark several points straight out of about 1/2" each. The purpose of this is to extend the outline to make room for about half the height of your mouse, so adjust this measurement if you have a larger or smaller than average mouse. Err on the side of too large, since you can adjust this pattern to make it smaller, but will have to start over if it needs to be bigger.

4. Extend the pattern line by connecting the dots. The more dots you've drawn, the more even your pattern will be.

5. Cut out the outline. Use this as a pattern to create a second cutout.

6. Pin the two cutouts face-to-face, leaving one edge open to slide the mouse in (this should be the side that corresponds to the one with the cord, if your mouse is not cordless). Test the pinned piece to make sure the mouse will fit inside it. If not, adjust the pins.

7. Trim any excess cloth from around the outside edge of the pins.

8. Sew the cover together where you've pinned it. Use a running stitch if you're sewing with a machine, but use a whip stitch (like the kind on a baseball) if you're sewing by hand.

9. Turn the cover inside-out and store your mouse.