Quilted scissor holder in 6 easy steps – part 1

My scissors all seem to sit in a drawer and then when it’s time to take them to class I have nothing to put them in and they just get thrown into the bag with everything else. I even have the perfect ruler for making the shape of the scissor holder. Follow along with me to see which ruler is perfect for this project and to make a quilted scissor holder in 6 easy steps.

Part of my scissor collection

Yesterday I talked about 3 great reasons the Sunshine Mat Tote is a must for all quilters for taking your tools to class. Today’s scissor holder will fit quite nicely into one of the zippered pockets on the tote bag.

Scraps would be ideal to use as the basis for this piece but I don’t have any scraps as I gave them all away about a month ago to several ladies who enjoy scraps. Not really my thing so I have pulled out some coordinating fabrics from my stash to use for this project. I needed to add some sunshine to my studio so I chose rather bright and cheerful fabric.

Bright & cheerful fabrics to bring sunshine into my studio

Step 1: Cutting the fabrics

Cut varying widths of strips to create a piece 15″ x 20″. I cut my strips 3 different widths for a total of 8 strips.

Fabric 1: 2 – 3″ x 20″

Fabric 2: 2 – 2½″ x 20″

Fabric 3: 4 – 2″ x 20″

Backing: 1 – 18″ x 20″ – this piece will show on the inside of the scissor holder so I used another coordinating fabric to match the 3 on the front.

Batting: 1 – 18″ x 20″ – I used a 80/20 blend to get a bit more loft which will provide a bit more cushion for the scissors.

Backing and batting ready to be cut to size

Step 2: Sewing the strips together

I opted to use the stitch and flip method of construction for this little project. Using this construction method means that the piece is quilted when the sewing of the strips together is done.

Check out my blog for complete instructions on how to construct a quilt with the stitch and flip method.

To start place the backing on the batting. You can baste them together with 505 Spray Adhesive if you wish but don’t pin as the pins will just be in your way. I just layered them together with no basting of any sort.

Place the first strip on the batting right side up and then pin the second strip to the first strip right sides together.

Strips pinned in place ready for sewing

TIP Sew together using a walking foot since you are sewing through 3 layers and this will feed the fabrics along evenly.

TIP Use a thread in the bobbin that matches the backing material as the thread will show on the back as the quilting. I used red thread.

Press the piece over and continue with the next strip in the same fashion. Press after each strip is sewn in place.

Stitch and flip construction complete

Step 3: Cutting the pieces

I’ve had this wedge ruler in my ruler drawer for a good year now that I picked up at my local quilt shop last year as I was going to make a tree skirt with it and well as you know great plans don’t always materialize. I thought this would be the perfect ruler to cut my pieces with for the scissor holder.

The Sew Easy 10° wedge ruler

Place the Sew Easy 10° wedge ruler on the fabric with the narrow end at the bottom and the wide end flush with the top edge of the fabric. Cut along each side to make a wedge.

First cut with wedge ruler

Turn the wedge ruler around so that it fits along the diagonal edge of the fabric with the wide end at the bottom edge of the fabric and cut a second piece.

Second wedge ready to be cut

Make a marking line 10½″ from the bottom of the wedge and trim off the top bit. This piece will be used to make the front of the holder.

Trimming at 10½″ will fit a standard pair of scissors

Leave the second piece the full length as it will be the back and fold over to make a closure.

Tomorrow I’ll be finishing the edges with one of these threads from Sulky Blendables.

Front and back pieces with variegated thread in orange and pink

Well, I’m well on my way to having a quilted scissor holder for at least one pair of my scissors and maybe by the end of the day tomorrow I’ll have more than one as I do seem to have many pairs of scissors and a little extra fabric. Join me tomorrow to continue construction on the quilted scissor holder in 6 easy steps.

Happy Quilting

This is part 2 of 5 in this series.
Go back to part 1:  3 great reasons the Sunshine Mat Tote is a must for all quilters

Go to part 3: Quilted scissor holder in 6 easy steps – part 2

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11 comments

krysta d November 20, 2016 - 5:52 pm
Great idea and great instructions! Thank you!
Cecelia Bing November 20, 2016 - 12:47 pm
This is great! Reminds me of a quilted knitting needle holder my Mom had. :)
Elsie Esteve November 19, 2016 - 8:22 pm
I would love to win this so I can get organized when I go to classes. Thank you.
Jim Alix November 18, 2016 - 10:21 am
Scraps make great small projects!
Ashley Mahe November 18, 2016 - 10:18 am
Great gift idea :)
Anne Esteve November 17, 2016 - 8:07 pm
Great directions - thanks - going to make a few for my friends.
Laura G. November 16, 2016 - 11:26 pm
Sigh, another thing on my to be made list.
Michelle W November 16, 2016 - 1:31 pm
Great way to use up scraps of fabric!
Debbie November 15, 2016 - 2:20 pm
Is there a way to get your blog posts delivered to my email?
Carla A. Canonico November 15, 2016 - 4:52 pm
Hi Debbie. You can get our blog posts delivered to your email using BLOGLOVIN'. Sign up at https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/quiltsocial-12370031 Thank you!
Summer November 15, 2016 - 10:43 am
This is so pretty ♥
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