take a holiday.
Feeling a little overwhelmed with work the other day, I took the afternoon off from knitting and instead, took my friend, Heather, up on her offer to give me a sewing lesson. My sorry, very elementary sewing skills were about to move into second gear.
Introducing my first sewing design: a circular needle case. The idea for this circular needle case percolated in my mind for some time and with my instructor’s patient guidance, I made it come to life! Let me tell you, this is much better than my previous needle case… oh, wait, there wasn’t one.
I wanted a needle case that was portable, and one in which the needles weren’t dangling willy-nilly nor wound up in a tight coil that later made it frustrating to work with.
Smaller slots were incorporated not for only the shorter (e.g., 16″) needles, but so that the longer ones could be reinserted for efficient storage. A ribbon was attached to one end for easy tying.
Knitty Couture’s Circular Needle Case, version 1.0
Materials: 1/2 yd each of at least two fabrics, a sewing machine (speaking like a true idiot, sewing by machine makes this, oh, so much more enjoyable than if one were to do it by hand), 40″ ribbon, scissors, pins, etc.
The diagram above provides the dimensions of the needle case. The “plus one inch” allows a 1/2″ hem on each side. So, you will need to cut the desired fabric into the following sizes:
2 each:
- 17″ x 4″
- 17″ x 8″
- 17″ x 20″
With right sides facing, pin the 17″ x 4″ sections together and sew each side of long edges together, being sure to leave a 1/2″ hem. Pull fabric through so that right side is now exposed. You essentially have a tube. Iron edges even.
Work the same for 17″ x 8″ pieces.
Layer the narrow sewn pieces in the middle of a 17″ x 20″ piece (right side upward) and carefully pin down.
Holding larger pieces with right sides facing, and beginning with a 20″ edge, sew two edges together, again being sure to leave a 1/2″ hem. Before sewing third edge, fold ribbon in half and place inside and in the middle of third edge so that folded point peeks out approximately 1″ from edge. Be sure to sew back and forth along this section at least once.
Pull fabric through so that right sides are exposed, fold in and pin down 1/2″ hem for fourth edge and top-stitch (?) shut.
Mark 1″ or desired height of slots, pin, and sew divisions. Iron for smoothness.
And there you have it!
3 Comments
Very good for an elementary sewer!! I’m warning you though… sewing can be just as addictive as knitting!
Good job, Thi! Now, you can start selling those in your shop! I’d buy one. It’s prettier than the clear plastic thing I have now.
It turned out wonderful! Now you need a new
Bernina sewing machine, I know where you can get one!
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[…] I was never really a sewer. My skills were close to nill until my friend, Heather, offered to give me a lesson. Remember my circular needle case? Well, I love it, and I loved making it! Pattern can be found here. […]