Ready-Pockets Tutorial

Do you have any denim pockets that have been waiting for a unique project? This may be it!

Why not try this quick and easy project using two denim jean pockets that will nicely decorate a small space on the wall next to your desk or work area or even bathroom.

Ready-Pocket filled with Notepad and Pencils

 

Materials List:

·         2 pieces fabric* (front and back) – 13” x 13” (minimum)

·         1 piece batting – 13” x 13” (same size as fabric pieces)

·         Two denim pockets (cut from old jeans) – two sizes

·         10” embroidery hoop 

·         Thread – either contrasting or matching

*Fabric can be any color you choose. It may be made from one piece or a pieced section cut to these dimensions. [IE: An orphaned block or scrappy block from a variety of fabrics cut to 13” x 13”.]



 

Instructions:

Quilted Block—

1.       Cut fabric and batting – all pieces are:  13” x 13” (minimum).

2.       Before layering, you may fold the top fabric to form a triangle and press to create a fold line to form an X to mark the first lines of stitching.

3.       Layer these three pieces with right side of bottom piece facing down and right side of top piece facing up, with the batting in the center.

Layering Pieces

 

4.       Fasten the layers with three or four pins to hold them together as you sew the grid lines.

5.       Begin stitching on the fold line and then continue stitching straight lines on both sides of this center line. Stitching lines are set two inches apart in this project.

Creating the Grid Lines

 

6.       Turn block and repeat Step 4 to stitch on the other fold line and continue until you have formed a grid.

7.       Your quilted block is now ready for adding the pockets.

Grid Lines Completed

 

 

Adding Pockets—

8.       Select two denim pockets from old jeans. You will need two different sizes. Or if you wish, you can add just one pocket.

9.       If your pockets have been cut with the leg material still attached, cut out around the pocket. Then trim around the pocket carefully to get rid of any stray threads.

10.   Turn the pocket over, and cut away the extra layer, as you’ll need to be able to stitch on the second pocket without closing up the bottom pocket.

Trimming Pocket--Backs

11.   Place the smaller pocket on top of the larger pocket. Then stitch around the sides and bottom of the smaller pocket to attach it to the larger pocket. Leave the top unstitched.

12.   Use a thread color to match the denim fabric or other color of your choosing. Stitch next to the outer edge of the decorative stitching line already on the pocket.

13.   Secure the beginning and ending points of your stitching with backstitching or a narrow zigzag. Carefully and slowly stitch over the bulky sections at the top of the pockets.

14.   Mark the center point on the bottom edge of the block with a pin or your finger as you place the pockets onto the quilted block.

15.   Measure two inches from bottom of quilted block and place bottom point of the pocket there. It should be centered now from each side of pocket to outer edges of quilted block.

Placement of Pockets

16.   For the larger pocket, sew two or three rows of stitching to secure it to the quilted block. First, sew a row of stitching as in Step 12.

17.   Then another row of stitching inside the outer decorative stitching already on the pocket. This can be done all in one round before cutting thread.

18.   I’d suggest stitching two lines around the sides and bottom of this pocket. [IE: between the decorative lines, as shown below:] 

Stitching Lines for Larger Pocket

 

 Inserting into Hoop—

19.   Open hoop and place bottom ring on table.

20.   Center quilted block on bottom ring and add top ring.

21.   Retighten hoop.

 

Inserting Into Hoop

 

22.   Then trim fabric away from back of hoop to complete project.

 

Trimming Away Excess Fabric

 

23.   If you wish, you may take it out again and serge or zigzag around the edge.

24.   It is ready to fill with items and hang on the wall. Enjoy.  

Completed Ready-Pocket

Note:  If desired, you could add binding and a hanging sleeve to create a mini quilt you can hang from a rod, instead of putting it into a hoop.

 

A Few Examples—Filling the Pockets: 

Pencils and Notepad

Concert Tickets

Toothpaste and Toothbrush

 

 

 

Discover other unique places where a Ready-Pocket might come in extra handy. Hope you enjoyed this tutorial.

 

 

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Amalie's Footwear

My main objectives for this project were:

1.      To create a unique quilt using the polka dot fabric that I was saving for a special occasion.

2.      To try something different on the borders, by using lettering to fill up the white space. 

What to Add to the Quilt

First, I needed text and names to represent what the theme was portraying.

Since, I had just completed my family tree quilts; I was intrigued by the names that were found in the genealogy record. Therefore, I would choose names from the past that appealed to me and were not common names found today.

So what would I decide?

1.      I wanted to create a special place, and thus after much thought; named it “Polka Dot Crossing’.  This would go on the top border.

2.      I needed a catchy phrase. What relates better to shoes than a sale. So the text, “Shoe Sale” was added to the bottom border.

3.      And after having worked on this quilt, came up with the idea of creating more similar quilts with different themes. So decided the collection would be called, “Shop to Shop”.

4.      So I needed a name for the shoe shop. Finding the name “Amalie”, it was named, “Amalie’s Footwear”. And these words would go on the side borders.

 

Second, I wanted to add elements to the quilt to make it more than one-dimensional.

Here was the perfect opportunity to use decorative buttons that just waited to be discovered, in my button jars; and add uniqueness to the quilt design.  This allowed me to pour out my button jars and see what interesting shapes and sizes were hiding in plain sight.

Here’s the finished quilt. It measures 21 3/4” wide by 18 1/2” high.

My Quilt

 

SPECIAL NOTE:
I really appreciate your visits and comments in this blog adventuring; and hope to see you join me again to read more about my creative interests and new projects. My plans involve adding several FREE pattern tutorials this year (mainly quilting) on the first Saturday of the month.

My first FREE project coming to this blog… August 3, 2013.

…..

Shoe Sale

Creating this quilt was a real energy boost during some really intense hot summer days. Now that we have figured out how to cool the upstairs with the placement of four floor fans, it is much better.

Since then, I’ve completed the first two quilts in my Shop to Shop collection. My plan is to create a variety of quilts using all four polka dot fabric colors shown in an earlier post—brown, green, yellow, and red; and then producing a PDF pattern for each quilt design.

Here is how QUILT ONE has evolved so far:

My final placement of the appliques turned out like this: I liked the handbags on the top row and the shoes below. This reminded me of a real store display. 

APPLIQUE LAYOUT

 

 

Adding buttons was a fun process. I have two jars of buttons, and really wanted to have a project to play with them again. Even though they look so decorative displayed that way, at some point they SHOULD be used!! 

MY BUTTONS



Then when I finished the stitching, and added the layers to add the binding, I did go with my gut feeling of using the polka dot fabric. It adds a unique look, tying in the polka dot theme to this project.  

BINDING

 

Come back next time, to see the finished project.

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