Ready to Go Sewing Caddy

Carrying quilt supplies in your bag can be messy as well as dangerous, so create your own mini storage system with this tutorial for the Ready to Go Sewing Caddy. See how fat quarter quilt patterns can become small quilt projects that you can take with you wherever you go without having to worry about losing anything or poking holes in your regular bags and purses. When you're ready to start cleaning up your craft table, make this one of the first organizational new small quilt projects you try.

Janome Supplies:

• MC9900
• A foot (9mm)
• F foot (9mm)
• Janome pre-wound bobbins
• Janome Red Tip needle

Fabric and Notions:

• P3 Designs, Travel Case (available at www.p3designs.com)
• Notions according to pattern
• 4 coordinating fat quarter
• 8" x 20" piece of denim
• 3/4 yd 1/8" ribbon
• All purpose thread to match fabric
• 30 wt variegated cotton thread
• Tear away stabilizer (such as Jenny Haskins Tearaway Magic)
• Quilter's chalk pencil

Instructions:

1. The pattern lends itself to variations, and for the sample we added a faux binding to each pocket. For this technique, cut each pocket half the size recommended. If the suggested size for the pocket is 7 1/2" x 16", cut the pocket 7 1/2" x 8" and cut a contrasting lining 7 1/2" x 8 1/2". For a pocket 7 1/2" x 13", cut the pocket 7 1/2" x 6 1/2" and a pocket lining 7 1/2" x 7". For a pocket 7 1/2" x 10", cut the pocket 7 1/2' x 5" and a pocket lining 7 1/2" x 5 1/2". Select the fabrics according to the pattern instructions, and from the fourth fat quarter, cut all pocket linings.
   
   
    
2. To create the faux binding, sew the pocket lining to the matching pocket, right sides together, with a 1/4" seam. Press the seam toward the lining and then fold the lining to the back, matching the lower edges and sides. Press. Omit all references to the Velcro.
    
3. Mark the denim with diagonal lines spaced 1" apart. Place the denim fabric over a matching piece of tear away stabilizer. Use the following technique to combine decorative stitches:
    
4. Set up the MC9900 for Ordinary Sewing, with the F foot. Thread the machine with the 30 wt cotton thread, and put a pre-wound bobbin in the bobbin case.
    
5. Select the tab for decorative stitches. Page forward and press Pictograph Stitches. [fig. a]
    
6. Press the Combine button. Add Stitch #5. Add Stitch #6. [fig. b] To double check the combination, touch the preview bar. The combination will appear in the next screen. Press X to close the preview window. [fig. c]
    
7. Sew the combined stitches following the marked line for every other line.
   
8. When all of the selected rows are completed, press the Combine button to return to sewing a single pattern. Select Stitch #7. Sew Stitch #7 on every other row of the remaining rows, following the marked line. [fig. d]
    
9. When all of the selected rows are completed, use the mirror image buttons to flip the design horizontally, and then vertically. Sew the remaining marked lines. [fig. e]
    
10. Remove all the excess stabilizer. Trim the denim fabric to 7 1/2" x 19". Cut a matching piece of batting and a matching lining. After the pockets are layered and sewn, place a 12" length of ribbon centered at the bottom of the pocket, and pin in place. Place a second 12" length of ribbon at the bottom of the single pocket. Continue construction, following the pattern instructions.
     
11. Fill the sewing caddy with a mini cutting board and rotary cutter, and add scissors, pencils and other tools as desired to the layered pockets. Add a 5" x 8" notepad to the single pocket. Fold the caddy in half and secure with the ribbon ties.