Friday, September 11, 2015

Farm Girl Friday - Week 20 - Quilty Zip Pocket Tutorial!!!




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






22 comments:

  1. Love those little zippy pouches! Thank you for sharingxx

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  2. What fun! I just ordered a jelly-roll of the modern minis and can't wait until they arrive. I also ordered your new ruler/template that fits on the machine. I have been having a blast doing this sew-along even though I am way behind. Thanks for all your tutorials.

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  3. Oh Lori!! You've warmed my heart again with these extra special and beautiful 'pockets'. I KNOW my daughters will love these and 'need' them :)! Your Modern Mini Fabric is perfect for these with all the special sayings, pictures and colors! Thank you for another amazing blog post and tutorial!!

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  4. What a great idea to use up orphan blocks!

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  5. Lori, I will definitely be making some of these little cuties!!! They are so adorable and look so easy to make...I can think of about a "hundred" ways to use them! And gifts!!! Perfect!! πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ˜‰❤️

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  6. THIS IS JUST WAY TOO CUTE !!!!

    THANKS FOR THE TUTORIAL AND TIPS

    ANOTHER CHRISTMAS GIFT ON THE WAY !!

    THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR HARD AND BEAUTIFUL WORK!!!!

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  7. thank you for sharing, this is such a sweet little zip pocket, and i do appreciate the tutorial very much. wish you blogged more often, i miss seeing what's going on around your 'neck of the woods.'

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  8. Just darling! You never cease to amaze me! Can't wait to get the book out and choose a block to make this bag.

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  9. Thanks for sharing, they are so cute! Wish you a great and creative weekend :o)

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  10. Love ❤ these. Thankyou so much
    HAPPY 😊 CHRISTMAS presents here we come!

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  11. What a great tutorial . . . I'm going to bookmark this post. Thank you for sharing and for making each step so easy to follow. Your the greatest!
    Connie :)

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  12. Lori, you have a sweetest ideas and make them easy as pie. Thank you for sharing all of your creativity

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  13. Thank you for excellent instructions!
    And for sharing your pattern ideas,
    this will make gifts for granddaughters
    And dil too!

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  14. Wow! Simply amazing!!! Love them!

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  15. I just have to tell you that I love your blog and I love your patterns. Your instructions are so good and I love the things you design. You are always willing to share cute project ideas with us. You are awesome.

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  16. Thank you sew very much Lori for another wonderful tutorial!😘 I'm going to make one of these for my," Lori Holt Mini Quilt Swap" partner!😍

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  17. Thank you for the quick fun tutorial! I'm afraid to do zippers but you make it look so easy! Thanks for that!

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  18. Love, love the Quilty Zip Pocket - great instructions and pics. I have so enjoyed looking through your book and now must decide on another project. I made the sheep block into a pocket using Texas floor fabric - a gift for my best friend in Texas who runs a sheep farm. Love your blog. Would be delighted to send you a pic of the pocket if you tell me where/how.

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  19. Your tutorial is very easy to follow - each and every step detailed. Kudos!!

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  20. This is absolutely adorable. Your tutorial is perfection. I think even I can do this. I will give it a try, for sure. Thank you so much!!!!!

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  21. Thank you for mentioning these on your latest floss tube! I found this and can’t wait to make one!

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