Notions Clutch

Supplies Needed • Body fabric, 13" x 25" • , 13" x 25" • N Shape Lite, double-sided fusible, 13" x 25 • Wet N Stick • 1 1/2" wide grosgrain ribbon, 12 1/2" • Design: "Stitch" from Loralie Designs' Fancy Cats Collection • Floriani embroidery threads • Floriani variegated for quilting • Non-stick press sheet • 3/4" • 4 gallon-size freezer bags • 4 quart-size zipper freezer bags • 4 zipper sandwich bags • Assorted small zip bags (optional)

Instructions 1) Lay the Stitch N Shape Lite on the non-stick press sheet and place the body fabric right side up on the Stitch N Shape. Press to fuse. 2) the fused unit to measure 12" x 24". Mark the embroidery location centered side to side and 3" above one end. 3) Hoop a piece of Wet N Stick and activate the adhesive. Position the marked embroidery location at the hoop center and press to adhere. TIP: Be sure to turn the fabric so most of the Stitch N Shape is to the left, not under the machine arm. It's also a good idea to baste the fabric to the hooped stabilizer before embroidering. 4) Stitch the embroidery design. When the design is complete, tear the excess stabilizer away from the fabric. 5) Lay the embroidered piece face down on the ironing surface and cover with the lining fabric, face up. Press to fuse. 6) Turn the project over and trim the lining to match the body fabric and stabilizer. 7) Trace around a spray starch can or similar object to round all four corners. Trim away the excess fabric and stabilizer. 8) With variegated thread in both needle and , quilt through all layers. Work from edge to edge, avoiding the embroidery area, to create a diamond grid, or free motion quilt if you prefer. 9) Set the machine for a 5.0mm wide and 1.4mm long. With matching thread in needle and bobbin, stitch around the entire bag perimeter. Locate the stitch so the left needle swing falls in the fabric and the right swing falls just outside the fabric edge. 10) Inspect the project and trim any fibers that poke through the zigzag stitching. 11) Change the machine settings to 6.0mm wide and 0.3mm long. Test to be sure this setting makes a smooth satin zigzag, with no gaps or areas of bunching, and adjust the stitch length if necessary. 12) Stitch around the perimeter again to overcast and finish the edges. 13) Fold the non-embroidered end of the clutch to the wrong side, 7" from the end, and steam press firmly to set a crease. Fold again, 9" from the end, and press to make a second crease 2" beyond the first. 14) Separate the bags into two groups. Arrange each group with the largest bags on the bottom and the bag tops staggered. Using the largest bags' width as a guide, smaller bags can be arranged almost side by side. creases 15) Lay the first group of bags on the clutch lining with the bag tops toward the embroidered end. The top of the largest bag should be about 8" above the nearest crease, and the bag bottoms should extend into or even beyond the area between the creases. Use tape to hold the bags in place temporarily. 16) Lay the second group of bags on the lining with their tops near the end without embroidery. The bag bottoms will overlap the first group. 17) Use a permanent marker to draw a line across the bags, midway between the pressed creases. With variegated thread and a 3.0mm long, stitch from edge to edge through all layers, including the bags. 18) Remove the tape and carefully trim away the bag bottoms near the stitching, so they do not extend beyond the pressed creases. Do not away the bag's upper portions (the parts with the ). Fold bags out of the way as necessary to trim the bags underneath. 19) Press under 1/2" on each end of the 12 1/2" ribbon. 20) Lay the ribbon between the creases, on top of the bags. If desired, slip a few tiny plastic bags - the sizes commonly used for jewelry, accessories, etc. - under the ribbon edge to provide storage for small notions. Edgestitch all around with the 3.0mm straight stitch, securing the ribbon and bags. 21) Sew a 3/4" button to the clutch right side, centering it 6" from the end without embroidery. 22) Cut four 1-yard lengths of coordinating embroidery floss. Tie together with a knot at each end. 23) Twist the floss until it begins to kink. Grasp the midpoint and fold the floss in half, matching the knotted ends. Allow the floss to untwist against itself, making a twisted cord. Tie the already knotted ends together to secure the cord. 24) Measure 9" from the folded end and tie a knot. Trim the twisted cord 1" below the knot (for a total length of 10"). Untwist the ends below the knot and brush to make a small tassel. 25) Stitch the cord's folded end to the clutch flap just below the embroidery. Wind the loose cord around the button to hold the notions clutch closed.

designed by Rebecca Kemp Brent for RNK Distributing