Check it!

Hello all!  Doing well?  I hope so. 

So, I think I'm suffering from a little bit of blogger's block.  For weeks I've logged onto to Typepad and I've just sat there staring at the blank page not knowing what to write.  Why?  Who knows.  I've thought about this immensely over the past few days and really haven't been able to come up with any reasons.  Lack of inspiration?  Too much inspiration?  Bored with blogging?  Nothing interesting to report?  *shrugs* I dunno. I guess I'm just in a bloggy funk.  Anyone else have this prob-lame-o?  Yeah, it is indeed pretty lame.  I will get out of it though!  No worries!  *does the running man for motivation*  ^_^

In other news, if you're looking for a fun Summer project, check out my Checkerboard and Pouch Tutorial over at Sew News!   I'm so thrilled because it's actually going to be on the cover of the August/September Issue.  It hits newstands on July 20, so be sure to grab yourself a copy.  Lot's of fun projects in this issue. 

Checkerboard

WHAT YOU NEED

• Eight 1 3/4"x7" rectangles of coordinating cotton fabric
• Eight 1 3/4"x7" rectangles of linen
• 10 1/2" square of backing fabric
• 12" square of batting
• Two 2"x27" strips of coordinating fabric for the binding
• Coordinating all-purpose thread
• Acrylic ruler
• Rotary cutter and mat

Checkerboard Piecing

Position the fabric rectangles in two rows, alternating the printed fabrics with the linen (1). Align one cotton print rectangle with one linen rectangle with right sides facing; stitch one long edge. Continue pairing the cotton rectangles and linen rectangles, stitching the strip long edges to form two rectangles of eight strips each. Press all seams in one direction.

Cut the two pieced rectangles into eight 1 3/4"x10 1/2" rectangles, using a rotary cutter, mat and acrylic ruler. Alternate the strip colors, aligning the long edges (2). Stitch the rectangle long edges together with right sides facing to form one 10 1/2" square; press all seams in one direction.

Lay the backing fabric right side down over a flat work surface. Position the batting over the backing, then position the checkerboard right side up, aligning all corners and edges. Baste the perimeter through all layers.

Stitch in the ditch through all layers. Remove the basting stitches.

Binding

With right sides facing, align the two binding strip short ends on the diagonal. Stitch the ends together; trim the seam allowance to 1/4" (3). Press open the seam.

Press one binding short end 1" to the fabric wrong side. Fold the binding in half lengthwise with wrong sides facing.

Position the binding strip end along one checkerboard edge center with right sides facing and raw edges aligned. Begin stitching 2" from the strip folded short edge, stitching through all layers.

At each corner, raise the needle, turn the fabric, and fold the binding up and back down over itself to form a mitered corner (4). Lower the needle and continue to sew.

End the stitching 1" before the binding beginning. Trim the binding end so it fits inside the beginning fold. Insert the short raw edge into the beginning fold and continue stitching to finish the binding (5).

Fold the loose binding edges to the checkerboard back. Slipstitch the binding to the checkerboard back side, mitering each corner and covering the machine stitching.

Checkers

WHAT YOU NEED

• 6"x4 1/2" rectangle of cotton fabric
• 6"x4 1/2" rectangle of linen
• Size 30 covered button kit (24 buttons total)

Cut the fabric and linen rectangles into twelve 1 1/2" squares each.

Cover each button with one fabric square, following the covered button kit manufacturer's instructions.

Pouch

WHAT YOU NEED

• 1 yard of linen
• Eight 2"x10 1/2" coordinating cotton strips
• 12 1/2"x10 1/2" rectangle of fusible fleece
• 13"-long zipper
• 18" length of cording
• Coordinating all-purpose thread
• Acrylic ruler
• Rotary cutter

Piecing

From the linen, cut one 5"x12 1/2" rectangle, one 7"x12 1/2" rectangle and one 12 1/2"x10 1/2" rectangle.

Position the patterned strips, alternating the patterns and aligning the long edges (6). Stitch each strip long edge with right sides facing to form a 12 1/2"x10 1/2" panel. This is the outer pouch piece.

Position the fusible fleece over the pouch piece, with the fusible side facing the fabric wrong side; fuse following the manufacturer's instructions.

Stitch in the ditch to quilt the outer pouch piece.

Experiment by using different quilting stitches and techniques to achieve unique looks and expand your quilting skills.

Zipper

Position the small linen rectangle on a flat work surface. Fold under one long edge 1/2"; finger-press. Center the fold on one right side of the closed zipper, so 1/4" of excess zipper extends beyond each fabric edge. Stitch 1/4" from the folded edge. Repeat to stitch the large linen rectangle on the opposite zipper side(7). Press the pieces flat.

Align the linen lower edges with wrong sides facing, leaving 3/4" of fabric beyond the zipper (8). Press the upper fold and pin the sides.

Pouch Assembly

Position the outer pouch right side down with one cording end centered along the upper edge. Position the zippered linen panel right side up along the outer pouch lower and side edges. Position the remaining linen rectangle over the stack, aligning all edges; pin (9).

Stitch the perimeter through all layers, beginning by backstitching slightly above the zipper beginning. End with a backstitch, leaving a 4" opening for turning along one pouch side edge.

Stitch the pouch upper corners at a slight angle for diagonal corners.

Clip the corners and turn the pouch right side out. Push out the corners and press the pouch.

Fold under the opening raw edge; press. Slipstitch the opening closed. Knot the thread ends; press. 

Enjoy!

Comments

[Concha]

Hi Rashida,

This is truly a brilliant project and I can't wait to make it as Xmas gift.

As far as blogging is concerned, I love your blog and miss you! I think there are lots of things you could write about: reading about your experience in writing a craft book, for instance, would have me glued to the computer.

I hope this is just a phase... maybe you just need some holidays!

Cheers,

Constança

[RosaMaría]

Hi!!

is really nice read you again!
thanks for the tutorial!

[Maritza]

Rashida, this is such a wonderful tutorial! This project is delightful.

[Jennalou]

Sometimes I just feel like what I'm doing isn't blog worthy. It gets me in a funk from time to time, but then I just start writing and sharing again even if I myself find it mundane. Eventually the juices flow and things feel inspirational again.

Hope you find your mojo soon!

[cindy : quaint]

could have to do with SUMMER!

[Kornelia Szabo]

This is a very nice tutorial, and a cool project too. Thanks.

[Liz Jury]

Thanks for the tute! I too been rather barren in the blogging department. Not sure what that is all about, but I think it sort of cyclic. I blog like a maniac, and then nothing. I also suffer from Craft Paralysis, where I just can't get going on anything. I think most crafters/bloggers suffer from this affliction. I like to think that it is just the creative genius in us, having a little break! Crickey we cant be fabulous all the time can we?? ;0)

[kelly]

Think I'm in a similar blogging rut. Comments, I can do, but no inspiration to post recently.

Guess its a summer malaise, or something. I'm trying to work my way out of mine thought the power of sock monkeys.

Just post as and when you feel like it. We'll wait for you! x

[Rachel]

Congratulations, that's fantastic! This checkerboard is SO cute! I'd love to link to it if you didn't mind.

[Kristen]

Totally having a funk myself. But saying it out loud helps.

[Tui]

Hi, I'm not a blogger but I am a writer and I find that when the well runs dry, I try to write something down anyway, then put it aside for later. It's often easier to edit/develop something I've previously written than to start afresh. Another approach is to brainstorm ideas I haven't explored before, or revisit old ideas looking for a fresh angle. You could look at your archives to see what you were doing this time last year: it might spark something. Good luck! (Love your work, BTW.)

[Wendy]

Same thing's happened to me over the last couple of weeks. I'm blaming summer.

Love this tutorial. They'd make great Christmas presents.

[Stefanie]

I havent had time to craft. So my blog only seems to be about the kids. I am keeping it up as best I can though since I am hoping it will become my version of a scrapbook that the kids can look at in the years to come.

[Liesl]

So adorable! Thanks for sharing. :)

[seo]

thanks for the creative post. :-)

[andrea]

Thanks for the tutorial.I can't wait to see your new book too:)
I think we all suffer from writer's (or bloggers )block once in awhile, it'll come back to you...
Take care~
Andrea

[Jennifer]

This is such a great idea. I will be adding this to my "To Do" list.

[PatchworkPottery]

Thanks for sharing your project Rashida!
Your brain is probably just taking a break from book overload! I haven't posted on my blog since May 5th... been staring at the screen too!!! Don't know why...
Hugs, Laurraine

[jaybird]

we all get in funks... when i get out of them i usually have 10 ideas of what to post so i write them down to have them to look at when the next funk comes!

[Jamie]

This is so cute! Thanks for the tutorial. I would love to make this for my boys. Love your blog!!

[Sarah]

Hey Rashida, that is too CUTE. Any chance we can put it up on SEWN? xx

[*Staci *]

Thanks for the tutorial. This will keep me occupied until I get your book. :)

[Silvia]

Wow! Thank you! What a great idea!!

[Rachel]

Great tutorial! This looks like a wonderful project : )

[Sophia]

That's lovely. Definitely a Christmas present project. Not sure who for yet but I think I'll take the "build/craft it and they will come" approach.

[Chara Michele]

Thanks for the tutorial! This looks like a fun project :)