Scrappy Patchwork Tutorial and GIVEAWAY

Okay, time for another swap-related tutorial!  This time I will show you how to make a scrappy patchwork card case, but this patchwork technique could be applied to any sewn item.  Basically, you are just making a large piece of patchwork fabric, from which you will cut a piece to make your card case (or potholder, or pillow, or pouch...)  There is a giveaway at the end of this tutorial, so read (or at least scroll through) the whole thing!  And, if you love "scrappy" stuff and want more, more, more, join us on Craftster for the Scrap Happy Swap that my friend Susan (The Sloppy Sewer) and I will be starting within the next week or so.  You will be able to choose whatever you want to make for the swap; I'm offering this tutorial to show one way to make something "scrappy".

Card Case Wallet Tutorial

1.  Go to your scrap bag and choose some scraps.  I have a lot of blue, so that's what I'm using.  I chose similar shades of blue, with a few pops of color thrown in.  Iron your scraps. (A couple of mine were already sewn together from other projects--bonus!)

2. Start by sewing the scraps together in pairs, and iron flat. 

3. Using a rotary cutter and clear ruler, cut the sewn pairs into smaller pieces (3-6" long), but be sure not to cut at 90-degree angles!  You want as many different angles as possible to make it look random.

Here are my pieces all cut up:

4. Start sewing the cut-up pieces together in pairs.

You will need to straighten all the edges, so trim as needed.  I'm using this one as my center:

Other pieces ready to sew to my center:

You will sew scrappy units together, ironing and trimming after each one, to build up a piece of scrappy fabric large enough for the item you want to sew.  For the card case, we need a piece at least 9" x 4 3/4"

Here is my finished scrappy fabric.

5.  You will need iron-on interfacing; light-weight Pellon is what I use:

You will also need a backing fabric for the card case.  I'm using plain blue fabric, cut larger than 9" x 4 3/4".
Cut pieces of Pellon to fit both fabrics, and iron it on now.

6.  Cut your patchwork fabric to the size needed for the card case:  9" x 4 3/4"

Leave your backing fabric larger.

7.  This is my interfaced patchwork fabric face-down on the backing fabric.  Sew all around the edge of the patchwork fabric, using a 1/4" seam, and leave a 3" gap unsewn for turning.

8.  Trim the excess backing fabric and turn the case right-side out.  Press.  To make the card case, you will need to fold the short sides in 1 1/2"--I have marked mine with pins.  Fold in and iron.

...but before I sew the flaps, I think I will add an elastic loop so I can close my card case with a button. I'm using a hair elastic.  Tape it about 1/3 from the bottom, and cut it off.  I'm going to cover the raw end of the elastic with a piece of scrap fabric.

I ironed Heat n Bond Lite to the back of my scrap piece so I could iron it in place over the elastic before I sew.  If you want a scrappier look, skip the Heat n Bond.

Sewing the elastic and patch in place. 

9.  Okay, NOW I'm ready to sew the flaps.  Fold the short sides in on the crease you have already ironed.  Top stitch very close to the edge, not more than 1/8".  Go from one end to the other, then sew the other side.  Be sure to backstitch and the beginning and end of each seam.

Sew on a button and fill with cards!

 Okay, here's the giveaway I mentioned:

Because I LOVE loyal readers, I will send you an envelope of scrap fabrics to get you started on your own scrappy patchwork!  Just do two little things:
1.  Post a comment below.  It can be about anything.
2.  Send me an e-mail (click on my name near my picture...there is an e-mail link on my profile page)--I will need you to send me your mailing address and color preference for your scraps (and Craftster username, if you are active on Craftster, so I will know you when I see you!)

Thanks so much for reading this!  I hope we get lots of you in the Scrap Happy Swap on Craftster!