Ucreate: July 2011

A few months ago Becky shared an image of this art packet she made for her son Ethan {my darling nephew by the way!} and I’m so excited that she’s here today sharing her awesome tutorial!

WARNING!! Once you make this, everybody will want one or want to know where you got yours! Trust me. This happens to me every Sunday!

She makes one for all of her nieces and nephews as a birthday gift and my kids love playing with their art packets from Aunt Becky during church!

Here’s Becky…

Remember this Sunday Art Packet I showed off a couple of months ago? I know many of you have been waiting for the tutorial and I feel so bad that it has been so long between me promising a tutorial and finally delivering. Have no fear the tutorial is here! Enjoy and let me know if you have any questions.

You can make this art packet using 4 fat quarters.

When I say outside fabric it’s the fabric you are using for the outside panels of the art packet. Inside fabric is the fabric you are using for the main inside panels. Then we will build upon the inside panels to make the crayon panel, the colored pencil panel, and the notebook/chalkboard panel.
LET’S START CUTTING!

Main Piece: 6 ½ inches x 9 inches

3 outside fabric

3 inside fabric

3 fusible interfacing

Cut a 3 ½ piece of thin elastic to loop around the button on the outside.

One large button

Crayon Flap: 3 ½ inches x 9 inches

1 outside fabric

1 inside fabric

1 fusible interfacing

Crayon Pockets Panel: 3 ¼ inches x 9 inches

2 Inside fabric

1 interfacing

Notebook Pocket Panel: 8 inches x 6 ½ inches

2 Inside Fabric

1 interfacing

Cut 2 inches of thick elastic to make a loop to hold the chalk.

Chalkboard Fabric: 5 ½ inches x 6 ½ inches

Colored Pencil Pockets Panel: 5 ½ inches x 6 ½ inches

2 inside fabric

1 interfacing

Once everything is cut place them in piles like this:

crayon pocket, inside panel, inside crayon flap, interfacing

notebook pocket, inside panel, chalkboard fabric, interfacing

colored pencil pocket, inside panel, interfacing

outside fabric panels, interfacing and outside crayon flap

We will work with the outside fabric first and finish the entire outside before we move to the inside.

OUTSIDE FABRIC:

Iron one of the 3 interfacing panels to each of the outside fabric panels.

Grab one of the outside panels and personalize it however you’d like…or not. Totally up to you!

Add the big button about an inch from the edge; this will be what secures the entire art packet closed.

Now to sew the outside together:

Start with the outside crayon flap. Iron your interfacing on the outside flap. Pin the flap to the cover panel and sew with a 1/2 seam. (HINT: Be careful not to knick the big button on the front of the other panel when you sew the flap on. I mark mine with a pin so I steer way clear of it. Trust me, if you hit it you will be buying a new sewing needle). Iron flap open when finished. Next, with the middle panels right sides together pin the edge and sew with 1/2 seam. Open and iron flat.

Now for the button loop. This can get tricky, but it’s not hard.

Fold the thin elastic in half and placing the right sides together sandwich it between the middle panel and the back panel. Make sure the elastic is in the middle of the panel and lines up with the big securing button.

Sew the button loop in between the panels with a zigzag stitch across the two ends of the loop. (HINT: Make sure the needle goes through the elastic pieces to secure them…don’t zigzag stitch over them; stitch through them. If you stitch over the ends the loop will come right out when you pull on it.)

Now pin the panels together and sew a straight stitch 1/2 seam. When you get to the elastic make sure to back stitch over it just to add more security. Open it all up and iron flat. You will have about a ½ inch of the ends of the thin elastic hanging over. Cut those off once you have sewn the two panels together and are certain the loop is secure. Give it a few tugs to make sure.

VIOLA! You are done with the outside…for now.

CRAYON POCKET PANEL:

Grab pile #1: Crayon Pocket Panel

Pin the inner crayon flap (right sides together) and sew (1/2 seam). Open and iron flat.

Now for the crayon pocket. Iron the interfacing to one of your crayon pocket pieces. Now, place both pieces right sides together. Sew the top (long side) and the bottom using ¼ inch seam. You now have tube-like thing.

Flip the “tube” right side out and iron flat. Top stitch the top of the long side. (You are going to top stitch the bottom too, but not until you attach it to the crayon panel.)

Now mark every 1 ¼ from the left side with a chalk mark (or something). This is where you will create the crayon separating stitches…every 1 ¼ inch. I mark the top and bottom with chalk and then use a ruler to mark a chalk line to show me where to sew. This keeps the lines from looking crooked and messy. We must have straight lines!

Now pin the crayon pocket about 1 1/2 inches from the bottom of the panel. top stitch the bottom of the crayon pockets (at the same time securing it to the crayon panel). Sew along your chalk lines to create your crayon separators; remember to back stitch at the top and bottom of your chalk lines. Remove the pins and that panel is done!! YEAH.

NOTEBOOK POCKET/CHALKBOARD PANEL

Grab pile #2: Notebook Pocket Panel

Iron the interfacing to one piece of the notebook pocket. Place/pin both pieces right sides together and sew along the top (1/2 seam). Open and iron flat. Put wrong sides together and iron flat. This will be your notebook pocket and your chalkboard base. Top stitch the top of this pocket.

Get the chalkboard fabric and run a piece of chalk across it to break it in then erase it really good. This prevents the first thing to be written on the chalkboard fabric from being permanently unerasable (so not a word, right?). Place the chalkboard on the front of the pocket in the middle. Pin the corners of the chalkboard fabric and with black thread zig-zag stitch all the way around. Get the 2 inches of thick elastic you cut earlier. Fold it in half and place it an inch or so below the opening of notebook pocket. Pin it in there good. This will be the loop that holds the chalk.

Place the finished pocket/chalkboard base on the inside panel and put aside. We will secure this on when we sew the panels together. (gosh, I hope this is making sense).

COLORED PENCIL PANEL

Grab pile #3: Colored Pencil Panel

Iron the interfacing on one piece of the colored pencil pockets. With right sides together pin the two pocket pieces together at the top. Sew the top (the 6 ½ inch side). Open and iron flat. Then with wrong sides together, iron flat and top stitch the top (like you did with the notebook pocket).

Create the lines to sew the colored pencil separators by marking every inch on the top and every inch on the bottom. Grab your ruler and connect the marks to make a straight line where you will sew to create the colored pencil separators (just like with the crayon pockets). First, pin the colored pencil pocket so the bottom edges are flush together. Sew the separator lines and this will secure the colored pencil pocket to the inside panel.

DONE with the inside panels. Let’s sew them together now.

If you want to embellish the finished pockets, do this BEFORE you sew them together. It will make the embellishing process much easier. I added the colored pencil and crayon words with wonder under and they have stayed put for months now.

Pin the one side colored pencil panel to the corresponding side of the notebook/chalkboard panel (right sides together). Now with a ½ seam sew along the side making sure to back stitch over the elastic to secure the chalk loop really good. Open and iron flat on the wrong side. (HINT: DO NOT iron the chalkboard fabric…TRUST ME).

Now pin the side of the crayon panel to the corresponding side of the notebook/chalkboard panel. With a ½ inch seam sew the panels together. Open and iron flat on the wrong side…again, remember the chalkboard fabric and iron are not friends.

DONE with the ENTIRE INSIDE!

Let’s sew it all together now.

Place outside panels and inside panels right sides together. Pin the outside panels and the inside panels all the way around EXCEPT for an 8 inch opening. (This is where you will turn the whole thing right side out later on.) After making about 10 of these I have learned the best place to leave open/unsewn is the top of the crayon flap just between the curves. On this one (it being my first) I left the opening at the top of the middle panels.

Pin the heck out of it. Make sure the seams of the inside panels line up with the seam of the outside panels. Starting sewing where your pins begin at the open/unsewn panel ½ seam around the entire thing. Make sure to back stitch at the start point and the stop point. Stop point is where your pins end and the open/unsewn panel.

Stick your hand in the open/unsewn panel and pull the whole thing right side out. Iron flat…taking note not to iron the chalkboard fabric!

Now turn the open/unsewn part under ½ inch and iron it flat and pin it (if you’d like). Starting at the open end that you just pinned closed sew ¼ inch top stitch ALL THE WAY AROUND the art packet. This will secure the open end shut as well as give the entire packet a nice finished look.

Do a ¼ stitch between each panel on either side of the seam. I find this helps it fold better and again just adds a touch of professionalism.

Stock it up with a notebook/activity book, chalk, crayons, colored pencils, etc., fold and enjoy. I put a paper towel in the notebook pocket to act as a chalkboard eraser. Works like a charm.

Another variations I made: