Sewing Machine Thingee

Sorry it took me so long to get this typed up...this flu has had me down for several days! Enjoy!!




`SEWING MACHINE THINGIE (COPYRIGHT)
Pattern by Darla Keller

I give credit for this idea to one of my fellow Quilting Queens, Nancy S. She was making one at a recent in-town mini-retreat and I had to have one. Here's how I made it:

SUPPLIES:
**Two coordinating FQs (great use of conversational fabric you bought and don't know what to do with)
**Left over batting same size as FQ (can piece small leftover pieces together)
**About 85" of 2-1/2" strips from my leftovers to coordinate with FQ (make into binding)
**Thread to match the colors in each FQ

INSTRUCTIONS:
Sandwich the 2 FQs and batting. Decide which will be the back (makes the fold-up flap piece on front). If fabric is directional print, be sure and check that the front and back fold-up piece will look the way you want it to. I prefer to fol up the longer side of the fat quarter for a couple extra inches it gives, but did it both ways. If using directional print fabric, FQ may need to be positioned differently. I didn't do anything to hold the Q sandwich together as it's so small; just smoothed out the fabric on both sides so no creases or pleats. You could iron it so they stick together well, if you are worried about it. I only did it on the first two and then skipped after that.

Quilt as desired. Use thread that matches the back in the bobbin. I did straight line quilting about every 3". Good small piece to practice free motion or a quilt pattern you are thinking about using on a quilt. However, I just wanted them done, so did the easiest thing--channel quilting.

Square up cute little FQ quilt. I just trimmed the edges so all was even; doesn't really matter what size this is once done.

Apply binding (try one of those techniques you thought sounded interesting that have been posted recently). I preferred sewing onto the front with a 1/4" seam; iron binding towards the outside edge. Apply Steam-a-Seam 2 (1/4" role) on back side right along the edge and iron binding down so it is secure. From the right side, I used my stitch-in-the-ditch foot to quilt right in the well of the binding seam. This method sews the back side of the binding down too. If you don't have S-a-S, you could use a fabric glue, to temporarily hold back of binding in place. Or, you could do that dreaded pinning technique.

Turn up about 4" of backing side to front side. Machine stitch right along the binding on both edges. Be sure to back stitch at both top and bottom of the seam. I started my line of stitching right under the binding. Place piece on your rotary mat, lined up with a cutting line. Use a marking tool and mark straight lines wherever you want your pockets to be. I found I liked a 2" channel for my scissors and other miscellaneous tools; a 1" channel about in the middle for a pen; and a 4" channel on the far left side for my quilting gloves. Do whatever works for you...it's your "thingee". And, you're done!!

Lift up your sewing machine and put the "thingee" under it. Fill with your favorite tools. I haven't had to look for my scissors or EZ Bob all day. Yippee!!

You may 'pay it forward' and share this pattern with your friends.
Darla in St Paul, MN