Today is week 20 of our sew along
using my latest book
Every Friday I try to post ideas and
different ways to use my Farm Girl blocks...
and I'm having so much fun!
There are so many blocks
and so I never run out of ideas:)
This week we have
Summer Star
on page 63.
What a perfect block for this week
as we near the end of a wonderful summer:)
Sunday Morning
is on page 64 of the book.
Both of this weeks blocks happen to
use my favorite method to
make quarter square triangles.
They turn out perfectly every time!
Step by step instructions for my method is
in the book within the block instructions:)
I'm looking forward to
seeing your blocks this week...
be sure to hashtag them!
to visit the home page and to see
who this weeks guest bloggers are:)
Today I want to show you
a fun little project using the 6" blocks.
This is my
Quilty Zip Pocket
perfect for all of your cute little
quilty projects and supplies.
I designed it in the most basic way possible
so that you would have no worries about
construction.
If you have never put in a zipper before...
this is the tutorial for you!
Here's what you need;
One 6" Farm girl Block
(I used Spring Star on page 62)
From outside fabric (mint)-
Cut 2 - 1 1/2" x 6 1/2"
for block sides
Cut 2 - 1 1/2" x 8 1/2"
for top and bottom of block
Cut 1 - 8 1/2" x 12 1/2"
From lining fabric (light brown)-
Cut 1 - 8 1/2" x 8 1/2"
for lining behind block
Cut 1 - 8 1/2" x 12 1/2"
for lining
From tab fabric - (optional)-
Cut 1 - 2" x 4"
1 - 12" to 14" zipper
(it could be longer...
you just cut off the ends anyway)
Start by sewing the borders
around the block.
It should measure 8 1/2" square
at this point.
Next...
sew the block lining
to the block top like this.
Also sew the two 8 1/2" x 12 1/2"
fabrics together at the top.
All seams are 1/4".
Fold the tab like this
and stitch down one side.
Turn it right side out
by pinning a safety pin
into the two layers of
the seam allowance
for stability...
Then turn the head of the pin
inside like this...
And push it out the other
end until its turned.
Remove the safety pin and press.
Fold in half like this and pin it.
Set aside for a minute.
Press the top edges of
the outside fabric and lining fabric
where you sewed them together
so it's nice and flat.
Do the same with the block and block lining.
At this point...
I like to topstitch around
the outside edge of the block
(through both the block and
block lining layers)
like this...
but it's not really needed.
Next up...
sew the block/lining segment
onto one side of the zipper
and the outside fabric/lining segments
on the other side of the zipper...
approximately in the center
so that you have the
zipper hanging over each side.
To do this...
simply top stitch it right next to the zipper teeth.
I use an open toed foot so that
I can see what I'm doing and
it doesn't get tin the way of the zipper.
(Bernina #20)
I also DO NOT pin because it distorts it.
I just start at the end...
hold it down into place...
and just take one stitch at a time!
When one side is finished ...
I line up the edges and do the other side:)
I also top stitch next to my first stitching lines
to secure the zipper even more
and because I like the way that it looks!
Make sure to backstitch when you start and stop:)
This is what it looks like on the back.
This next step is very important.
OPEN YOUR ZIPPER HALFWAY
so that you can turn it inside out
after sewing the sides of the pocket.
Pin the zipper together on the open end
so that the teeth touch and they lie flat.
Now cut the extra zipper ends off even with the side edges.
You did it!
You just sewed a zipper:)
Easy Peasy!
Pin the tab on the left side
above the zipper
with the raw edges
aligned like this.
Here's what the entire pocket
should look like at this point.
Now bring right sides together
and align the raw edges
of all 4 layers of fabric
on the bottom and the sides like this...
And pin into place for stitching.
Now simply sew down the two sides
and along the bottom edge...
(not the top folded edge)
catching the edges of the tab as you go.
Backstitch when starting and stopping
and also across the zipper edges on
both sides a few times just for extra security.
I like to zig zag the sides and bottom
edges to keep them from fraying.
Now turn your pocket
right side out through the zipper opening.
Open the zipper all the way and
push all 4 corners out so that they look nice:)
This is the back of pocket:)
And here is the finished pocket!
It's really a fun little project
and is perfect
for using some of those orphan blocks
you may have that need a cute home:)
You can see that I love these pockets!
They finish at a cute 8" x 10" size:)
Not too big and not too small.
I will be using them to even further
organize my studio and
they will also be perfect for retreat.
I like to divide up what I'm taking into
different bags instead of one big one...
to stay organized when I'm sewing
away from home as well")
This week I made several because
they are so easy and also addicting:)
It's so fun to choose the fabric
and color combos to
coordinate with the blocks.
I made this one using my
Apron strings block on page 8.
Because the block is scrappy ...
I thought it would be fun to make
the entire pocket scrappy as well!
Another good way to use your scrappy stash!
Wouldn't these pockets be
the cutest for
Christmas gifts?
You could choose to use a
Farm Girl Block
to go with the theme of
whatever you put inside...
again...
the possibilities are endless!
I have several more all
cut out and ready to sew:)
I made this one using
a block from my new
By the way...
I used my
Modern Minis fabric collection
for all of the pockets:)
I can't wait to see
your Quilty Zip Pockets!
So that I can...
be sure to use the hashtag
#QuiltyZipPocket
That's it for this weeks
Farm Girl Fridays post...
hope you enjoyed my
Quilty Zip Pocket Tutorial:)
See you next week!
xx
Lori
