Add a Quick and Easy Pocket Label to Your Quilt

Colorful Boy Quilt with a quick and easy pocket label

My favorite workshop at the Sewing Summit last week was Perfect Pockets with Deborah Moebes of Whipstitch .  That girl truly loves pockets and would like to see them on everything -  everything I tell you!  I signed up for the Perfect Pockets workshop because I avoid adding pockets to almost any and all projects I sew.  I think they add bulk to my already bulky body.  Deborah did, however, change my mind.  Her enthusiasm and humor were quite contagious.

As I was quilting my grandson's quilt upon returning home from Sewing Summit, I began to think back about the weekend and all the lovely, lovely women I met and all the great teachers and speakers from whom I was priveleged to learn.  Deborah Moebes and her Perfect Pockets workshop jumped to the forefront of my thoughts and I pondered adding pockets to everything as she encouraged us to do.  I envisioned pockets on the quilt, but I am a very practical person and I needed a reason for those pockets to be there.  The quilt was already sewn and halfway quilted so I knew I would not be incorporating pockets into the design.  The only other detail left to add after binding it was the appliqued quilt label on the back side.  Eureka!!!

I added a flap pocket to the back of the quilt and incorporated my embroidered quilt label onto the pocket.  And yes, the pocket actually serves a purpose.  My original intent was to give my little grandson a tooth fairy pocket.  Last year, my daughter inadvertently threw away a tooth that my granddaughter lost, so I reasoned this would be a "safe" place in which lost teeth could await the tooth fairy.  Then, the tooth fairy could just put the money exchanged for the tooth into the pocket for safe keeping until morning.

But in addition to tooth-fairy duty, this quick and easy pocket label could also be used to store small "treasures".  I did not put a closure on the flap.  I was concerned that hook & loop tape, a zipper, buttons, or snaps could be uncomfortable if my grandson rolled over on the quilt pocket while sleeping. 

Coat Sew Along Progress

My new winter coat is coming along nicely, thanks to Gertie's Coat Sew Along.  The bodice and skirt are sewn together, bound buttonholes are in place, and the sleeve hems are done.

I used a catchstitch to hem the sleeves.  The Colette Sewing Handbook is a great reference if you need a reminder of some basic hand stitches.





This week we are sewing the lining.  My lining fabric is lavender china silk.  I'm so excited about the progress of my coat and I'm thrilled to know that I will have a new winter coat in a couple short weeks.  I'm thoroughly enjoying the whole tailoring process.  It has been a number of years since I made a tailored garment.  What about you.  Do you like the process of sewing tailored clothing?

Binder Pouch

I'm heading down to Salt Lake for the Sewing Summit this afternoon and I decided this morning that I needed a cute pouch in which to carry my supplies.  After all, who goes to a sewing conference without a handmade item full of sewing supplies?  So I sewed up this pouch with fabrics I had on hand. 

I didn't have the time or desire to shop for supplies so this tutorial was the perfect answer to my search for the perfect little pouch.  Isn't it dang cute!!!  I only made a couple small changes to the original pattern.  I used laminate fabric (by Riley Blake) and instead of the fabric three ring binder tab called for in the pattern, I simply used a piece of canvas strapping that I found in my stash.  No, I do not have the grommets on it yet, because I did not have any on hand.  I will purchase those later.  As for now, I will just be carrying it in my purse anyway.

Here's a shot of the zipper edge.  You can see how nice and flat it lays.  Perfect for storing in a binder.  And the laminate fabric is especially nice if you are making this for your child's school supplies as it wipes clean easily.

I forgot to photograph the backside, but it is just a piece of the darker laminate.  And, BTW, if you are using laminate fabric, the teflon coated presser feet work marvelously.  Have a great sewing weekend.   :)