Handmade Holiday Blog Hop: Day 3

It's Handmade Holiday Blog Hop time! Over the next days, we'll be sharing both gift and decor ideas here on the blog. Make them now; bookmark them for later. Either way, we hope you'll enjoy the inspiration and ideas to help you get in the holiday spirit and/or cross a few names off your gift list.

Today's project idea uses the Sew Easy collection from Kanvas. And yes, it's a gift idea, but we're pretty sure you'll want to make one for yourself too! This travel case will safely transport your rotary cutter, scissors, seam ripper, and other sharp objects any time you sew on the go (or head to a retreat, sew-in, etc.). No more tucking a scissors in a tote pocket and hoping you don't poke yourself when you reach in--keep your tools secure and organized! Scroll down to the bottom of this tutorial for a chance to win a bundle of this super-fun fabric collection!

This case includes a top flap that folds over so tools can't slide out the top:

Sew Easy fabrics:

(Ok, we didn't use the pin fabric in this project, 

but it's so cute we had to show it anyway!)

Materials:

1 fat quarter of the stripe

1 fat quarter of the needles on white

1 fat quarter black/white print

1 fat quarter button print

1 coordinating button

5-1/2" length of 1/4" wide black elastic

12-1/2" x 9-1/2" piece of Pellon Flex-Foam 2-Sided Fusible*

5" x 12-1/2" piece of Craft Fuse or other lightweight fusible stabilizer

*If you're not familiar with Flex-Foam, find out more here. You could use fusible fleece if you prefer, but the case won't hold its shape and will be much floppier.

Cutting:

From the stripe:

One 12-1/2" x 9-1/2" piece, fussy-cut to center the design you prefer

From the needles on white:

One 12-1/2" x 9-1/2" piece

From the black/white print:

Three 2-1/2" x 22" strips for binding

One 10" x 12" piece

From the button print:

One 12-1/2" x 10" piece

Make the Travel Case

Step 1: Press the button print piece in half wrong sides together so it measures 12-1/2" x 5". Unfold and position the 12-1/2" x 5" interfacing piece as shown. Following manufacturer's directions, press to adhere. Refold the button print piece. 

Step 2: Following manufacturer's directions, fuse the needles on white piece to the Flex-Foam piece. 

Step 3: Lay the folded button piece on top so raw edges align on sides and bottom. Pin or use Wonder Clips to secure. (Wonder Clips work better than pins with the thicker Flex-Foam.) Measure 3" in from left edge and mark a line on the button print pocket. Measure 6-1/4" in from left edge and mark another line. Stitch on both lines, backstitching at top edge of pocket to secure. Tip: Use a walking foot when stitching on Flex-Foam.

Step 4: Fuse the stripe piece to the remaining exposed side of the Flex-Foam.
Step 5: Fold the black elastic piece in half and pin to the center of the left edge of the stripe side. Stitch back and forth across the elastic several times (as shown by red line below), staying within 1/4" of the fabric edge.

Step 6: Fold the 12" x 10" black/white print piece in half right sides together to measure 12" x 5". Use a spool or other curved object to mark and cut rounded corners on the folded edge. Stitch the short edges of the folded piece with a 1/4" seam allowance, following the curve until you reach the fold.

Step 7: Turn flap right side out and topstitch along short sides and folded edge. Leave long raw edge open.
Step 8: Prepare binding from three 2-1/2" x 22" black/white print strips.
Step 9: Pin and/or baste the long raw edge of the flap to the top of the inside case (needles on white fabric). Stitch raw edge of binding to the outer edges of the case, making sure to catch top flap edge and side and bottom pocket edges. Be careful not to catch the side flap edges as you stitch.

Step 10: Hand or machine stitch binding to the opposite side. Be careful not to catch the side flap edges as you stitch. You can even pin them out of the way as shown, just in case.

Step 11: Fold travel case closed. Pull elastic across opening and mark position for the button. Stitch button in place. Use button and elastic to keep case closed.

Back side of travel case (love this fabric!)

Travel case with flap folded back:

For a chance to win a bundle of Sew Easy, leave a comment letting us know how you follow our blog (email or blog reader; both options are in the right hand sidebar!) and telling us which is your favorite Sew Easy fabric. This giveaway is open through Thursday, December 10 at 11:59 pm EST. 

Don't miss any days of our Handmade Holiday Blog Hop!

Day 2: Nesting Pocket Dolls by Debby Kratovil of Debby Kratovil Quilts using Little Katerina 
Day 4: Firewood Tote by Mary on Lake Pulaski featuring Shades of Winter
Day 5: Evergreen Pennant by Jessica of Quilty Habit featuring Snow Days
Day 6: Patchwork Apron by Kristen of KD Quilts featuring Frosty Forest
Day 7: Christmas Adorned quilt by Kelly of My Quilt Infatuation featuring Santa's Here