Quilting in the Rain

I got my husband a Kindle for Christmas and by special request I made him a ‘Kindle sleeve’ to keep it bundled up and safe from scratches. 🙂 It was a fun and quick project. The longest part was figuring out the measurements, but since I’ve already done that you don’t need to! 6 easy steps below. Enjoy!

Materials:

• Scrap fabric and batting (measurements are in step 1)
• Zipper (at least 8″ long)

Step 1 – Cut the following from your fabrics and batting:

• Backing fabric (this will be the inside lining of the sleeve; I used a thin felt fabric) – two 6.25” x 8.5” rectangles
• Batting – two 6.25” x 8.5” rectangles
• Top fabric – two 6.25” x 9” rectangles (the top fabric needs to be ½” longer than the backing and batting).

For one side of the top fabric, I pieced together scrap fabrics and then trimmed the final piece to measure 6.25” x 9” as specified above.

Step 2 –Make two quilt sandwiches: Sandwich the batting in between the backing fabric and top fabric; the wrong sides of the backing and top fabric should be facing the batting. Quilt the two sandwiches however you like (I quilted zig-zags for the beer print, and echoed the dia de los muertos print).

Step 3 – Iron over the extra ½” of top fabric as shown below.

Step 4 – Attach the zipper. As illustrated below, make sure there is ¼” of space between the edge of the fabric and the start of the zipper (click image to enlarge).

Sew along the zipper (align the side of your presser foot with the edge of the zipper to sew a ¼” seam).

Step 5 – Repeat the previous step, but on the other side of the zipper.

It should look like this when you’re done attaching the zipper.

Step 6 – Flip the two quilted panels together so that the right sides are facing each other. As shown below, sew a ¼” seam around the perimeter of the quilt (except for where the zipper is). Start and end your stitch with several backstitches to secure the ends of the zipper in place. Before sewing around the perimeter, make sure the zipper is at least ¾ of the way un-zipped.

Lastly, trim off any extra fabric along the edge and corners (but outside of the ¼” seam allowance) to prevent unnecessary bulges. Trim off the extra zipper as well.

Turn right side out and you’re done!

I just love quick little projects! Toss these yummy scented lavender sachets in your undie drawer ;), or bundle them with ribbon or rick-rack to make a cute little gift! The tutorial below is quick and easy, and is a fun way to use your scrap fabrics. Also, if you like to quilt you can use this pattern to make quick quilt blocks, simply start with a bigger square (e.g. 10″ square instead of 6.5″).

Materials (for 2 sachets):

• 2 different fabric prints (enough to cut a 6.5″ square from both prints)
• Thin backing fabric (enough to cut two 5.5″ squares)
• Dried lavender buds (optional: lavender oil)

Step 1 – Cut two 6.5” squares.

Step 2 – Layer both squares evenly. Then, make two diagonal cuts as shown below.

Step 3 – Because you layered both squares (previous step), you will have a total of 6 pieces. Lay them out as shown below.

Then, switch the middle top and bottom pieces (numbers 2 & 5).

Step 4 – Sew pieces 1, 5 and 3 together; and then sew pieces 4, 2 and 6 together. (Sew with right sides facing together, pin in place, stitch a ¼” seam, then press open).

Step 5 – Layer both pieced-together-squares evenly on top of one another.

Rotate the square 90 degrees as shown below. Similar to Step 2, make two diagonal cuts again.

Step 6 – Because you layered both squares (previous step), you will have a total of 6 pieces. Lay them out as shown below.

Then, switch the middle top and bottom pieces (numbers 2 & 5).

Step 7 – As shown below, sew pieces 1, 5 and 3 together; and then sew pieces 4, 2 and 6 together. (Sew with right sides facing together, pin in place, stitch a ¼” seam, then press open).

Step 8 – From the backing fabric, cut two 5.5” squares. Take one finished square (from previous step) and one backing square. Layer both squares with right sides facing together.

Step 9 – Sew a ¼” seam allowance around the perimeter of the square, leaving ~3” opening at the top. As shown below, snip the corners of the square off.

Step 10 – Turn right-side out through the 3″ opening, and then press flat with an iron.

Step 11 – Fill the sachet with dried lavender buds through the 3” opening. For a really fragrant sachet, add a few drops of lavender oil to the buds. Lastly, stitch the opening closed.

Yay you’re done!! :o) If you like the concept of this pattern, you might be interested in this tutorial: Cuttin’ Corners Quilt