Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Tutorial for Notepad/Pen Holder

As promised, I'm going to try to explain how I make the notepad/pen holders like the one I'm giving away in the Bloggy Giveaways Carnival.









To start, here's a materials list:






2 - 8 1/2" X 6 1/4 " pieces of material (This will be your outside covering and inner liner. You can use different materials or the same. I used the bears.)






1 - 8 1/2" X 6 1/4" interfacing (I used the stiffest Pellon I could find for all interfacing.)






1 - 4" X 5" fabric (This is for the pen holder, and you will double this one, right sides together with interfacing below sewn to it.)






1 - 2" X 5" interfacing (See, it matches the pen holder above when it's folded.)






1 - 1 3/4" X 5" fabric for tab to close notepad/pen holder.






1 - 1 1/4" X 2 1/4" interfacing



2 - 4" X 5" fabric for pocket to hold notepad




1 - 3 3/4" X 5" interfacing




2 - 4" X 4" fabric for pocket opposite notepad




1 - 4" X 4" interfacing







(I know I didn't picture these past two



items. What can I say? It was late:))






Okay, to start, take your outer cover fabric and inner liner fabric and put together, right sides facing. Top with interfacing and stitch 1/4" from edge of fabric. I stitch at least twice around and then zig zag on the outer edge of those lines of stitching, leaving about a two inch opening to turn.







You can see in both the front and back sides here if you make the pictures bigger by clicking on them, the opening on the left side.









Turn carefully to the right side, poking out the corners and pressing. Now, top stich all around the edges, cleverly closing the opening you turned it through. Then, quilt however you choose all over the cover.



Repeat this process with each of the other parts of the holder, and you will end up with 5 quilted pieces that look something like this.















I've pictured the handy-dandy ring snaps I like to use, along with the pliers made specially to put them on. Great gadget.






The ring snap with the sticking out part should be attached to the outside portion of the cover. I'm showing you the inside portion because I'm going to cover it up with a pocket.




At the bottom in the picture above is the tab that will close the notepad/pen holder. Attach its ring snap now.






Carefully sew the inside pocket over the ring snap, leaving the top edge open. (It will break your sewing machine needle if you hit it.)


Position the closer tab under the other pocket you're ready to attach to hold your notepad. Be sure the snap closures line up so they will actually close the notepad/pen holder.













Sew around the notepad pocket, leaving the top edge open. It's a good idea to reinforce the area where the tab closer lies between this pocket and the body of the notepad/pen holder.






Now, sew the pen holder to the edges of both the notepad pocket and the pocket opposite, and you're finished!





















I know this looks a little complicated, but if you'll take your time and be sure everything lines up, it is really simple.




I made a lot of these last year for Christmas presents, and I carry one in my purse all the time. It's great for grocery/to-do lists. You can put receipts and/or coupons in the pockets, and it doesn't take up a lot of room. I make mine in these dimensions because this size notepad is readily available here. It is easily alterable for whatever size you prefer.







Let me know if you try this. I'd love to know how it goes for you. If you have any questions, I'll try to answer.







~Elaine~








6 comments:

Thimbleanna said...

This looks great! I need to try one as I love carrying a little notebook in my purse!

Pantha said...

What a good idea and great tutorial. It's my next project. Need to go shop for some materials. Only got yarn at the moment!

dawn said...

That's a very nice idea! I like it a lot.

the 6 o'clock stitch said...

It was so nice meeting you. Thank you so much for participating in "Make & Tell Monday". Hope you'll join us again!

Gina

Paula #870 said...

love this! can't wait to make a bunch...great tute
xxx
Paula

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