Summer Smooches Promotion

Enjoy some of the products coming in the new catalogue early! Summer Smooches has so much to offer, but I'm especially crazy about the fabric. This week I'm posting some sweet projects made with this bright and cheerful bundle of three fat quarters.

Sewing Box

Start with a striped fabric organizer from Dollarama and transform it into this pretty sewing box!

It has a drawstring top to keep your projects from falling out and lots of pockets for all your tools and notions.

Make a matching pin cushion and needle case, too!

















Here's How!
 I found this fabric covered organizer at Dollorama.








The removable fabric cover has velcro strips around the top. Set aside the wire frame.










Elastic Pockets
Cut two pieces of fabric 5 in. X 6 in.
Finish the top and bottom edges with a serger or a zigzag stitch.

Fold over 3/8 in. on the top edge.
Pin 4 in. of 1/4 in. elastic at both sides under the fold.

Using a zigzag stitch, sew 1/2 in. and leave the needle in the fabric.

Pull the other side, so the elastic stretches under the fold and sew to the end.

Fold 1-1/2 in. to the back.

Form and pin a 1/2 in. pleat with 1/2 in. seam allowance on both sides.
Baste across the bottom to hold the pleats.

Mark 4 in. on the middle of the bottom edge of the long side of the box cover.

Pin the pocket between the markings and sew to the cover.

Fold the pocket up. Pin and baste the sides to the cover.
Repeat on the other side of the cover.

Double Pocket

Cut a 6 in. X 9 in. piece of fabric.

Follow previous pocket instructions with these changes.

Fold under the side 1/2 in. seam allowance and sew close to the edge.

Make 1/2 in. pleats 1-1/2 in. from the left side and sew between the pleat to the cover.

Handles
Cut 4 strips 3 in. X 18 in.
Use 1/4 in. seam allowance and sew them into one length. Press the seams open.
Fold right sides together and sew the length with a 1/4 in. seam allowance. Press the seams back from the stitching on both sides so the seam lays flat when the strip is turned right side out.
Turn the strip right side out. I pin a safety pin to the end and push the pin through the tube, pulling it right side out.

Press the strip with the seam in the middle and sew 5 rows of stitching.
Join the ends with a zigzag stitch.

Add the finished width of a handle (1-1/4 in.) to half the finished width of the pocket (1-1/2 in.): that's 2-3/4 in.

Draw a centre line on the bottom of the cover and find the midpoint. Mark the placement for the handles on the bottom of the cover 2-3/4 in. from the midpoint on the centre line.



Pin the strip to the bottom of the cover at the markings.











Continue pinning the handles around the cover, hiding the seam allowances of the pockets.
Sew the handles close to the edges to the cover from 1/2 in. above the pocket, down the side, across the bottom and up the other side to 1/2 in. above the pocket.

Drawstring Top
Cut 2 strips 6 in. X 18 in. Use a 1/4 in seam allowance and sew into a loop.
Finish the edges with a serger or zigzag stitch.

Fold under 1/2 in. on the top edge.
Fix 2 eyelets through the top layer near the fold.
Stitch around the top forming a casing and leave an opening under the eyelets.

Cut 45 in. of 1/8 in. Taffeta ribbon.
Secure a safety pin to one end.

Use the pin to work the ribbon through the casing.

Thread the ends of the ribbon through the eyelets and tie a knot in each end.
Sew the opening in the casing closed.







Pin the bottom edge of the fabric to the cover under the strip of velcro.

Make a tuck in the corners.
Sew 1/4 in. from the finished edge.

Scissors Pocket
Make a mark in the middle of the left section of the Petal Cone die.

Cut a 4 in. X 7 in. piece of fabric and fold it in half lengthwise.
Place the fold next to the mark and the point of the shape.

Cut a 5 in. X 7 in. piece of fabric and place it over the shape and the folded fabric.

Cut the shape from quilt batting. Cut off the side tab.
Layer the fabrics in the order shown.

With edges even zigzag around the right side. Baste down the centre.

Turn the pocket over and zigzag the top of the pocket to the cover.

Fold the pocket over and zigzag the sides to the cover.
Fold the flap down and secure with a button.
Fit the cover over the wire frame and enjoy your Sewing Box.

Needle Case
Use the Big Shot and the Scallop Envelope die to cut two layers of fabric and a layer of quilt batting.
Cut off the side tab and the bottom of the envelope.

Zigzag around the shape leaving the bottom open.
Trim off the scallops on the top of the shape.

Cut 2 pieces of fabric and a layer of batting 3-1/2 in. X 4 in.
With edges even, zigzag around the edges.

Zigzag the bottom of the flap piece to the middle of the rectangle.
Zigzag across the bottom of the flap.

 Fold up and use velcro pieces on flap and front to close.

Pin Cushion Container
I used a Stampin' Up! button container for my pincushion.
Adhere Sticky Strip around the lid.
Cut 2-1/2 in. X 8-1/2 in. strip of fabric.
Adhere raw edge of fabric to Sticky Strip.
Hand sew seam and tie-off thread.
Fold under 1/4 in. and sew a running stitch around the edge.
Stuff with batting and pull up the thread to close the opening. Secure the gathers with small stitches and tie-off the thread.


Adhere Sticky Strip over the edge of the fabric and cover with a length of ribbon.
Sew a button on the top.





Supplies
Summer Smooches fabric 125411
Stack and Store containers 103659
Real Red 1/8 in. Taffeta ribbon 119251
Lucky Limeade 3/8 in. Ruffled ribbon 122977
Island Indigo Baker's Twine 125575
Brights buttons 119747
Big Shot 113439
Petal Cone die 121810
Scallop Envelope die 113462