Style File Finish

Front view

Here is my finished project from Saturday's workshop. It is called a Style File. The original pattern is from The Quilt Company in Allison Park, PA. We also had the option of making a smaller version to use as an Ipad cover. I believe one of our own members worked it up and figured out the proper dimensions (Gail, was that you?) Since I don't have an Ipad, I chose the Style File. It was a quick and easy project and everyone was finished shortly after lunch. It is so nice to go home from a workshop with a finished project in hand, rather than what will often become another UFO.

Back view

It is basically a padded zippered file with a front pocket. The best thing about this project was learning a new and very easy zipper application technique. Foolproof and great for those who have "zipper phobia"!! It can even be sewn in without a zipper foot. The first pocket I did was what I was not happy with, so I re-made it today. It is sometimes  difficult to plan fabrics and cut pieces when you haven't seen the project or you don't have a clear idea of what it is to look like. The strips for the front of the pocket were supposed to be angled. I didn't angle my first ones enough, so to me they just looked crooked. I knew it would drive me crazy so I re-did the front pocket, with new fabrics, and cut the strips a little more angled. Now that it's done, I'm happier with it but if I was making another, I would angle them even more - wider at one end and narrower at the other. I used batiks in my favourite colors for the pocket, the rest of the file is a blue-grey Fossil Fern fabric that I've had for ages. I quilted it with Sulky threads in green, blue and purple. The overall finished size is about 14" by 11".

Zipper Pull from twisted perle cotton

I will look for a cute sewing charm and then make a proper zipper pull with some nice beads, but for now I've just made one quickly with some size 5 Perle cotton. I took four equal lengths (2 purples- one light, one dark, a green and a blue) and knotted them together at one end. At this point I usually put a safety pin through the knot and pin it to my jeans.Then you just twist and twist until the entire length is tightly twisted. Then you grab the twisted length in the middle between thumb and index finger and bring the other end toward the knotted pinned end and the whole thing will coil upon itself. (Is that clear as mud?)  Just try it, it's very easy.
A fun project and a great day (half day!) spent sewing with friends. Thank you Jennifer for doing this class for us!

Piece,
Linda

"There are no shortcuts to any place worth going." ~ Beverley Sills