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Finishing The Sewing Project

Finishing The Sewing Project

by Jennifer Houlden

Today we’re going to pick up where we left off yesterday, therefore, finishing the sewing project. The zipper is in and the outer and inner panels are ready to be sewn into a case. Today the plan is to sew those sides together into a case but first I want to add in some fusible batting to give the case a bit more substance so it isn’t so flimsy.

Then the pencil case will be ready to go ‘back to school’ with.

Adding Some Batting

I wasn’t happy with just the two layers of fabric to create the case with as I found them to be too flimsy since I had only used regular quilting cotton. If I had used a heavier twill cotton then I wouldn’t need the layer of batting but since I didn’t I am going to add a fusible batting/fleece. The fusible batting has an adhesive glue on one side which binds to another surface when heated. I don’t find that I need to use an applique sheet or parchment paper over the batting as the glue doesn’t seem to get on anything as it can when using fusible web as I did last month for the applique pieces on the agenda bag. The type of fusible batting I used I do find that the glue adheres better with steam but always make sure to read the manufacturers instructions prior to using to achieve best results for that product.

The batting I fused to the wrong sides of each lining piece.

Fusible batting fused to lining fabric

Fusible batting fused to lining fabric

Topstitching

Now that the batting is in place it’s time for some topstitching. The Pfaff Passport 2.0 has a ‘topstitch’ stitch and it’s #02. The stitch itself is very heavy as each stitch is made up of 3 strands of thread per stitch. It uses a lot of thread and takes a bit longer to do but I think it’s worth it as I like the look of the heavier line of stitching. I am sure it would be great for garments such as blue jeans.

I used my WonderFil thread Tutti again for the topstitching in a variegated yellow which goes well with both fabrics. I changed the needle to a topstitch 90 needle seeing how I would now be stitching through several layers of fabric. Also, a good idea to make sure that a foot compatible with the IDT system is used to ensure a nice even feed of the fabric which will result in nice even stitches.

Yellow topstitching on either side of zipper

Yellow topstitching on either side of zipper

I also added in topstitching with the topstitch stitch on my duvet cover earlier this week and I used the new Perfect Quarter Inch foot to do this. It has a guide on the right-hand side which I set the edge of the fabric against. By using this guide I was able to maintain a perfect ¼″ seam allowance between the stitching and the edge of the duvet cover. It worked like a charm.

Perfect ¼″ foot in action

Perfect ¼″ foot in action

Bonus Feature

Did you know that you can wind a bobbin without unthreading the main thread on the machine. There is an extra spool stand that can be placed beside the regular one to wind a bobbin with another spool of thread. A very convenient feature to have especially when the top thread is different from the bobbin thread.

Winding a bobbin from a second spool

Winding a bobbin from a second spool

Quilting the Sewing Project

Once the topstitching was complete I used the same thread to add a little bit of quilting. Just straight line stitching but in the front I mimicked the zigzag pattern of the feature fabric and on the back, I just did parallel lines and inch apart. I drew the lines on with my Clover Chaco Liner which come in a multitude of colors, sizes, shapes and with refills. A free-motion design would have worked for this little project too.

The sky is the limit as to how you want to quilt your little sewing project.

Quilted pencil case

Quilted pencil case

Personalizing the Pencil Case

I wanted to add my niece’s name to the case but didn’t want to do any applique so I pulled out a piece of printable fabric to print her name on. I used my computer to create her name in a font I liked and in multiple colors – a different color for each letter. Then I printed it off on my inkjet printer and let it dry. I use this printable fabric for all of my labels as well.

I’m so close to finishing the sewing project now I can’t wait to see how it turns out.

Name on printable fabric

Name on printable fabric

Sewing the Case Together

Trimming up the piece to square off the sides and bottom, I then pinned it together using the longer flower headed quilting pins. I added in the name label to one end making sure the label was oriented so that the name would be on the front side of the case. Using a ⅝″ seam allowance I sewed around the case reinforcing the start and finish with back tacking as well as at each corner.

Since I didn’t use a lining that would cover up the seam allowances I then had to do something about the fraying edges. A dense zigzag stitching up and back again took care of all those little extra pieces of thread and made for a nice finish.

Case all sewn together

Case all sewn together

Voila! A Pencil Case

Now Abbygale has a wonderful little pencil case to accompany her agenda bag. I’m sure in a few years I’ll be needing to make her a case for the phone and ear buds but for now we’ll just let her be 5.

The topstitching certainly added a finishing touch to the pencil case creating a nice accent around the zipper.

Completed pencil case

Completed pencil case

I had a lot of fun with the Pfaff Passport 2.0 especially making and finishing the sewing project for back to schoolIt has certainly proved to be very versatile in its sewing abilities with many wonderful features. I certainly put it through its paces trying out different features such as straight sewing, buttonholes, decorative stitching, applique, quilting and zippers.

The compactness and lightweight features make this a great machine to take to class, retreats or the cottage to work on your sewing and quilting projects. A great little machine to complement your other quilting machines.

See you next month when the ghosts and goblins are out and about.

Happy Quilting!

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