PRIMA PENCIL QUILT & PENCIL CASES

Instructions

Reference the downloadable project sheet for project pattern diagrams.

Quilt

Preparation & Cutting

From the White Prima Solid:

• Cut 5, 7" strips (WOF), and crosscut into 42, 4 1/2" x 7" rectangles for the Pencil Tips.
• Cut 7, 2 1/2" strips for binding.

From remaining white Prima solid, turn fabric and cut lengthwise, cut 2, 3 1/2" strips, crosscut these into lengths of 3 1/2" x 42" for sashing between pencil blocks.

• Cut 4, 5" strips for side borders
• Cut 4, 4" strips for top and bottom borders, these will be joined later.

From each of the Prima Solids, (7):

• Cut 3, 3" x 5" rectangles for pencil tips,
• Cut 3, 2 1/2" x 6 1/2" rectangles for the base of the pencils

From the Beige Prima Solid:

Cut 2, 6 1/2" strips, crosscut into 21, 3 1/2" x 6 1/2" pieces for pencil tops

From each of the Prima Spots & Checks, (14):

Cut 1, 6 1/2" x 14 1/2" rectangle from each for pencil bodies.

From the Prima Stripes, (7):

Cut 1, 6 1/2" x 14 1/2" rectangle from each, but turn fabric so that stripes run horizontal across the pencil.

Making The Foundation Pieces

Pencil Tip

Print out the pencil tip template.

Following the number sequence this is how we will stitch the block together:

Firstly, I like to fold the paper on each of the lines, so when you're ready to stitch it will easier to bend.

Now, take a coloured fabric rectangle for the tip of the pencil and pin it onto the template, generally right in the centre, making sure you're covering the whole of the pencil tip section (1), and that the rectangle goes over the line between section 1 & 2 by at least 1/4".

Next take the beige rectangle and place it over the coloured tip fabric, right sides together and pin that in place, making sure that when it is folded back down after sewing it will cover the whole of section 2.

Fold under the paper of section 2, and flip, you should have section 2 paper showing and stitch right along the edge of the paper, creating a seam. Trim this seam to 1/4".

Carefully flip paper over again, remove pins except the centre pin and carefully press seam towards the beige piece. Place a pin in the centre of the beige piece to hold in place as you sew the side white pieces.

Tip: Don't remove the pin from the centre of the pencil tip at any stage as this is your anchor to stop your block moving.

Take one of the white rectangles and place it over the right side of section 1 & 2, making it go on an angle, so when it's stitched it will flip back over section 3 and cover it completely.

Pin it in place and fold under section 3 paper corner on the line and flip over your block, and stitch a line right next to the paper. Trim seam to 1/4". Flip the block back over and remove the pins and press the seam to the white. Repeat this process for section 4.

Once all pieces are stitched in place and the block is pressed, and just leaving the pin in the tip and beige piece, trim your block around all edges right to the paper edges, as the seam allowance is included in pattern.

Repeat this process for all 21 pencil tips, making 3 of each colour.

Tip: Have a little play around with this method using some scrap fabrics until you feel confident in this process. Also, there are excellent tutorials online that can help too.

Next, stitch the finished pencil tips to the corresponding pencil body and then stitch the solid base fabric to the pencil body.

Taking all the pencils, stitch them together in rows, all the stripes together, all the checks, then all the spots.

With one of the 3 1/2" x 42" strips of white, stitch it to the base of the stripe block of pencils and then to the top of the check block of pencils. Then taking the other 3 1/2" x 42" white strip, stitch it to the bottom of the check pencil block and then to the top of the spot block of pencils. Press seams towards the sashing.

Take the 4, 5" strips and stitch together in pairs, creating 2 long strips. Cut each of these 2 strips into lengths of 70" for the side borders. Stitch the borders to either side.

Take the 4, 4" strips and stitch together in pairs, creating 2 long strips. Cut each of these 2 strips into lengths of 51" for the top and bottom borders. Stitch into place.

Tip: Before cutting your border pieces, always check measure your own quilt's measurements and cut your border pieces accordingly, as seams can sometimes vary.

Backing & Binding

To finish, cut the backing fabric into 2 lengths and stitch it together lengthwise, pressing the seam open. When you are ready to quilt it, sandwich the front and backing together with the wadding and pin your quilt thoroughly, then it's ready to machine quilt. Or alternatively you could take it to your local long-arm quilter to finish.

When your quilt has been quilted, it's ready to put the binding on. Stitch all the binding lengths together to create one long length. Fold the strip in half, wrong sides together and press down the length of the binding. Stitch the binding to the front edge of the quilt using a 1/4" seam, mitring the corners as you go. Hand stitch the binding to the back of your quilt.

Prima Pencil Case (Foundation Paper Pieced Pencils)

Preparation & Cutting

From the white prima solid:

• Cut 1, 10 1/2" x 8" for back of pencil block, this is to reinforce the pencil block once it is stitch.
• Cut 2, 2" x 6" for the sides of the pencils
• Cut 1, 2 1/2" x 10 1/2" for the top of the pencil block

From the fabric for the back of the pencil case:

Cut 1, 10 1/2" x 8" piece

From the lining fabric:

Cut 2, 10 1/2" x 8" pieces

For the pencil block:

Cut 1, 1 1/2" x 5" strip from each of the 7 fabrics you have chosen.

From one of your scraps for zipper tabs:

Cut 2, 2 1/2" squares

Making The Pencil Tips

The pencil tips are made using the foundation paper pieced method. If you are familiar with this method, the pattern piece is included.

Cut a small piece of each of the 7 prima solid scraps in rainbow order. Cut a small piece of beige for each of the pencils. Cut some squares of white for the corners of the pencil tips. All these cuts should be bigger than the area they are to cover. Follow the numbers on the pattern and proceed to foundation paper piece each tip. For more instructions on how to do this, there are many wonderful tutorials online to help.

Making The Pencil Block

Once the pencil tips are created, stitch the 1 1/2" x 5" pencil strips to each of the pencil tips, matching up the colours.

Next stitch all the pencils together, in rainbow order, or to your liking.

Stitch a 2" x 6" white strip to each side of the pencil block and stitch the 2 1/2" x 10 1/2" white strip to the top edge of the pencil block.

Place the 10 1/2" x 8" white solid piece of fabric behind the finished pencil block and stitch the two together all around the outer edge, to hold them together.

Creating The Zipper Tabs

Take your zipper and cut it at the bottom end. Then take the zipper pull down away from the top end a little bit and trim down a little bit. You want your finished zipper to be about an inch shorter than your pencil block.

To create the neat zipper ends, take one of the small fabric squares and fold it in half, then fold both edges inward to meet the centre fold. Press well to hold this shape. Place the folded zipper tabs over each end of the zipper and stitch them in place to secure the folds. Be careful going over the zipper teeth.

Inserting The Zipper

Now we will attach the zipper to the pencil case. We will be using the pencil pieced block and one lining piece first.

Place the zipper along the top edge of the pencil block piece, with the right side of the zipper facing the right side of the fabric. Make sure the zipper is centred along the fabric edge, leaving about 1/2" on either end. Pin in place.

Next, take one lining piece and pin it to the back side of the zipper, so it lines up with the main fabric piece (right side of the lining facing the wrong side of the zipper). Sew together running along the zipper. You might find using a zipper foot easier to do this.

Tip: When you reach the zipper pull, stop with your needle down, lift the presser foot, and carefully move the zipper pull behind it. Then continue stitching.

Now attach the back of the pencil case and the back lining, using the same process as you did for the front of the pencil case, making sure everything is lined up well. Press each side of the pencil case so the right sides and lining are nice and neat.

Topstitch on the right sides of the pencil case along the zipper to hold it altogether.

Putting It All Together

Now we are going to stitch the pencil case altogether.

To do this, firstly, make sure the zipper is at least halfway open. This step is important because you'll need this open to turn the pencil case right side out once it's sewn.

Now, fold the pencil case so the two outer fabric pieces (front and back) are right sides together.

Do the same for the lining pieces, placing them right sides together.

Make sure all the edges line up carefully, especially at the zipper seam where the outer fabric meets the lining and make sure the zipper tabs are facing towards the lining. Pin all around the pencil case securing it in place. Stitch all around the pencil case using a 1/4" seam. Be careful around the intersection of the zipper tabs. Don't stitch over them, but get as close as you can.

Now using the opening from the zip, turn your pencil case right way out and push out corners carefully and around the zipper tabs. Give your pencil case a light press and it's ready to use.

Note: An understanding of Foundation Paper Piecing will be helpful in this project, if not, there are some great tutorials online to help you.

Otherwise, you could make your own randomly pieced pencil tips by cutting 1" x 1 1/2" beige pieces and 1" x 1 1/2" solid coloured pieces and stitch them together. Then cut 1, 2" white square and cut this diagonally in half and stitch over the top of the coloured block, diagonally, to create a pencil tip of the beige and colour. Then trim the pencil tip back to a 1 1/2" square. As long as the pencil tip is finished at 1 1/2" you are good to go. Each pencil will look unique. Repeat process for each pencil.

Prima Pencil Case (Floating Pencils)

Preparation & Cutting

From the black prima solid:

Cut 2, 10" x 6 1/2"

From the lining fabric:

Cut 2, 10" x 6 1/2"

From one of your scraps for zipper tabs:

Cut 2, 2 1/2" squares

Making The Appliqued Pencils

From each of the 7 scrap print fabrics, cut a 1" x 3 1/2" rectangle piece.

From each of the 7 solid fabrics, cut a 1" x 3/4" rectangle.

From the beige solid fabric, cut 7, 1" x 3/4" squares.

Join a coloured print rectangle to a beige square, then to the matching coloured solid square, stitching along the 1" length.

From the Vliesofix, cut 7, 4 1/2" x 1" pieces and press to the back of each pencil carefully. Remove the backing paper from Vliseofix.

Trim each of your rectangles to the shape of a pencil.

Arrange the pencils onto the front of your pencil case and press in place with your iron.

Stitch around each pencil in black thread on the machine to secure.

Using back stitch and 2 threads of each of the white and red DMC, stitch the words "Back To School".

Creating The Zipper Tabs

Take your zipper and cut it at the bottom end. Then take the zipper pull down away from the top end a little bit and trim down a little bit. You want your finished zipper to be about an inch shorter than your pencil block.

To create the neat zipper ends, take one of the small fabric squares and fold it in half, then fold both edges inward to meet the centre fold. Press well to hold this shape. Place the folded zipper tabs over each end of the zipper and stitch them in place to secure the folds. Be careful going over the zipper teeth.

Inserting The Zipper

Now we will attach the zipper to the pencil case. We will be using the pencil block and one lining piece first.

Place the zipper along the top edge of the pencil block piece, with the right side of the zipper facing the right side of the fabric. Make sure the zipper is centred along the fabric edge, leaving about 1/2" on either end. Pin in place.

Next, take one lining piece and pin it to the back side of the zipper, so it lines up with the main fabric piece (right side of the lining facing the wrong side of the zipper). Sew together running along the zipper. You might find using a zipper foot easier to do this.

Tip: When you reach the zipper pull, stop with your needle down, lift the presser foot, and carefully move the zipper pull behind it. Then continue stitching.

Now attach the back of the pencil case and the back lining, using the same process as you did for the front of the pencil case, making sure everything is lined up well. Press each side of the pencil case so the right sides and lining are nice and neat.

Topstitch on the right sides of the pencil case along the zipper to hold it all together.

Putting It All Together

Now we are going to stitch the pencil case altogether.

To do this, firstly, make sure the zipper is at least halfway open. This step is important because you'll need this open to turn the pencil case right side out once it's sewn.

Now, fold the pencil case so the two outer fabric pieces (front and back) are right sides together.

Do the same for the lining pieces, placing them right sides together.

Make sure all the edges line up carefully, especially at the zipper seam where the outer fabric meets the lining and make sure the zipper tabs are facing towards the lining. Pin all around the pencil case securing it in place. Stitch all around the pencil case using a 1/4" seam. Be careful around the intersection of the zipper tabs. Don't stitch over them but get as close as you can.

Now using the opening from the zip, turn your pencil case right way out and push out corners carefully and around the zipper tabs. Give your pencil case a light press and it's ready to use.