Another Semester starts...and a quilty project tutorial

I so cannot keep up with blogging every day, shame on me.  But in my defense I stay very busy with work and other things. :)  I'm going to be even busier starting tomorrow since the Fall 2012 classes at UWF start tomorrow!  Yes, I am once again taking 4 classes:

COP 2334 - C++ Programming
EME 3406 - Web Environments for Learning & Information
ENC 1102 - English Comp II
MAC 1105 - College Algebra

I'm very excited but nervous as well.  I have done very well the last two semesters, making the Deans list each time.  I really want to make Dean's List or Presidents list this semester, but with the algebra and programming, plus all the writing in Eng comp I don't know if I can do that well.  But I will persevere and keep my head up and do the best, or better than I possibly can.  (on a side note, we have a Tropical Store (Issac) in the Gulf of Mexico right now, expected to become a Cat 1 or 2 before making landfall.  The path continues to change, as it is now expected to make landfall between New Orleans and Pensacola by Tuesday night so classes have been cancelled and schools closed for UWF and for my daughters' school.)

An update on my son Jamie...he is on his way to becoming one of The FEW...The PROUD...A U.S. Marine!  Yes!!!  He left for MCRD Parris Island, SC on Tuesday, August 21, 2012 and is now on day 6 of his journey to becoming a Marine. I have spent countless hours searching http://www.marineparents.com/ and http://www.recruitparents.com/ and the MCRD Parris Island website at https://www.mcrdpi.usmc.mil/SitePages/Home.aspx.  Now Military service is not unknown to me since I am an Army Brat myself and my ex-husband was in both the Army and the Marines so I am not as apprehensive as many parents may be who know very little of the military.  However, I am still longing to receive his first letter home.  According to the website it should arrive around day 10-14.  We are already making plans to attend his graduation sometime in November, assuming no setbacks.  I'm very proud of him and know that he will do very well at this; he's stubborn enough lol.  I LOVE MY SON! <3


On a quilty note I finished a new project!  In one day at that!!! :)  I saw this upcycling denim pocket hanging organizer on pinterest and then someone posted it on Facebook as well so I decided to give it a go.  Here is the link to the actual project.
http://www.sewdaily.com/blogs/sewdaily/archive/2012/08/13/an-upcycling-project-for-denim-pockets.aspx


I've done a quick tutorial as well for those who want some step by step directions with pictures.  Don't expect a lot as I kept forgetting to take pictures here and there, but with the original directions and my photos I'm sure you can make this own your own. :D

The first step is, of course, to read the directions ;-) 

Once the directions have been read and fabric has been pulled, pressed and cut the next step is to cut out 9 jeans pockets.  In this step, be very careful that the pockets are not too large.  I had one that was only 1/4 of an inch smaller than the 8" square it was sewn on so it was extremely difficult when sewing the blocks together.  If your pockets are quite large I would suggest you go with 9 or 10" blocks.  Here are all the pockets cut out.  As you can see I left fabric around the pockets themselves so that I could be more precise when trimming them up.

 

 

The next step is to trim around the pockets being sure to cut off all of the excess fabric but not cutting into the seams.  If you tilt the scissors to the right it should go smoothly.

  

 

Next you will need to flip the pocket over and trim out the backing of the pockets.  I trimmed to about an 1/8" away from the inner seams

 

 

If there are any excess threads in the pocket, trim them off as close to the seams as possible. 

 

Finished trimming

 

Pockets all trimmed up nice and neat

 

Once all pockets have been trimmed up place them onto the 8" (or 9-10") squares you cut out earlier and decide how you want them placed.  Fold the squares in half and press them and fold the pockets in half to press them, then match up the lines to get the pockets centered on the squares. I pinned mine down.

 

Next I sewed the inside stitches and outside stitches, following along with the original stitching; don't sew the top of the pocket down, that would defeat the purpose lol

 

Once all pockets were sewn onto the blocks I sewed the blocks together using a 1/4" seam allowance per the instruction

 

Here is the "top" with all blocks sewn into rows and the rows sewn into the top (yes, that is a clue for my NYE 2011 mystery quilt still up on my design wall, I'm working on it, I promise, just a little at a time.  King size quilts take a while when you don't have much time you know lol)

 

Here is the "sandwich" layerd as such: batting, backing, top (this will be flipped "inside out" when done)

 

Light wasn't too good but you can see here where I stiched the entire outside around with a 1/4" seam allowance.  Make sure you follow the directions and leave about a 4" opening to turn inside out.

 

Here I am turning it "outside in" lol

 

Next, stitch in the ditch around every row

 

Here is where you slip / whip stitch the 4" opening closed.  I like to use hand quilting thread and a betweens needle

 

In this step I had already cut a 4.5" strip from one of my fat quarters that I used for the 8" blocks and made the hanging sleeve tube.  I then pinned it down so that I could hand stitch it onto the back of the organizer

 

Here I am in the process of hand stitching.  I have not perfected my handstitching yet but it is my favorite part, especially when having to add the binding onto a quilt. :) I love sitting back in my rocker/recliner, watching a movie and stitching.  One day I will learn to hand quilt!

 

Here is a view of the front and back of the organizer after all is done (yes, I kept the insides of the pockets for some other project later on down the road lol.

 

Here is the back of the organizer pinned to my design wall with the sleeve stitched down

 

Here is a close up of the front of the jeans pocket organizer

 

And here is the finished organizer on the wall.  I quite enjoyed making this and may have to make a few more... 

 

 

Well, that is about all I have for today.  Everyone has gone to bed on me, in the middle of watching Lord of the Rings - Fellowship of the Ring so I'm going to sit down and write to my son some more.  Have a great week everyone!

Kerensa