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Browsing the internet I came across a case with zip made using the Log Cabin patchwork technique and I must say, that in addition to the fun in making it, the final effect was truly satisfying.
As you surely know, the Log Cabin technique belongs to American patchwork. It is a way of composing fabrics in such a way as to reproduce the structure of a wooden house, created by interlocking tree trunks, typical of certain rural American landscapes of the late 19th century. In fact, the invention of the Log Cabin block by housewives who loved to sew and make patchwork throws and quilts using fabrics from discarded clothes dates back to this period.
So here’s a photo tutorial which reproduces all the manufacturing phases of this pencil case or clutch bag, following which you can make your own Log Cabin pencil case. I used mine to hold together the plastic templates I use to make English Paper Piecing projects, which you will soon see some tutorials for.
Materials:
- a 6x6cm square of fabric A
- 3.5cm high strips of matching fabrics (cut some off, if left over they can be used for other patchwork projects too) – fabrics A and B
- a 4 cm high strip for binding (outline bias)
- a rectangle of approximately 30x50cm quilting batting
- a rectangle of approximately 30x50cm of fabric C for the inside
- a custom label to sew on if you use any
- 1 zipper of 25cm
- sewing machine, thread and needle.
Construction phases of the Log Cabin case
Making the top
Let’s start by making this pencil case by sewing the fabric directly onto the padding sheet, following the Log Cabin case diagram. The seam allowance is that of the patchwork or 0.70 cm. It may be useful to use a patchwork foot, but the standard one is fine too.
We start from the padding rectangle. Using the cutting surface, you will find the center of the rectangle. You can draw on the quilting batting with a 5B pencil, which has a very soft lead.
Place the square of fabric in the center, making the corners coincide with the drawn lines and staple it. Following the numbering in the photo for the construction of the Log Cabin, proceed sewing one side at a time. Pin the fabric right sides together and cut the piece you need from time to time, alternating the patterns. That’s why it’s best to cut several strips of fabric before you start.
Finished the fourth round, use the paper pattern to draw the shape of the bag as shown in the photo. This delimitation will help you understand how to continue sewing the strips of fabric. In reality, only the four side corners remain to be filled.
Once the shape is filled, iron everything well and redraw the perimeter of the pattern. Cut out the outline. This operation can also be done before filling the sides. Proceed as you feel best.
Sew the inside of the case
At this point it is necessary to add the fabric that will constitute the inside of the case. You can sew yours, by hand or by machine label right side of the fabric.
Place the cut, inside out, under the batting, top side up. Baste as in the photo.
Sew inside the seams of the stripes following the contours of the various turns. For this operation there is a special foot, equipped with a central metal bracket, but the standard foot is also fine, just be careful to stay inside the seam.
Here is the effect you will get on the reverse, which corresponds to the inside of your pencil case.
Apply binding
Once got the quilted sandwich it is necessary apply binding that is, the contour strip that will be sewn like a bias tape.
In case the cut strip is not enough for you, here’s how to add more pieces. Overlap perpendicularly, right sides together, the corners of two strips. Trace the diagonal, sew and cut leaving a 0.50 cm margin as you can see in the photo. Press the joining seam open.
Use pins to apply the binding on the obverse of the sandwich, along the edge, as in the photo. Machine sew 1 cm from the edge.
Then turn it over and fold the fabric by about 0.70 cm and sew it by hand with an invisible stitch.
Sew the sides of the Log Cabin pencil case
Fold the case along the middle, inside out.
Now it’s about hand sew the sides with the stitch you see in the photo. A simple stitch that is made by threading the needle from top to bottom with small, close stitches. Stop sewing where the curve of the shape begins.
Make the bottom of the case
To give the case more thickness, if you wish, simply flatten the corner of the case and machine stitch for a couple of centimeters as shown in the photo.
Apply the zip
Now baste the zipper. Sew the zip by machine, with the appropriate foot, without reaching the end of the two ends, since you will then have to sew them by hand to secure them inside with the invisible stitch using greater care.
At this point add all the pendants you want and the Log Cabin case is ready!!
You can have fun by combining different patterns or alternating the contours of the Log Cabin in different ways to create always different designs and aesthetic effects. Here is an example below.
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