Ruffled Checkbook Cover Tutorial

Here’s the tutorial I promised yesterday. I sure hope it makes sense. It’s really a pretty easy and quick project. Perfect for a beginner or maybe even a quick diy gift.

First off you will need 2 pieces of fabric that measure 7” x 13” and a strip of fabric that is approximately 1.5”  x 12” for your ruffle.
Make sure all your pieces are pressed flat. The first thing we will do is make your ruffle. Take your strip of fabric and using a serge stitch or a small zig zag stitch {I use a button hole stitch set on a longer length} finish the two long edges of your ruffle strip.  Next you will make your ruffle. Using a long stitch and high tension make a baste stitch down the middle of your strip of fabric leaving long threads on each end {do NOT back stitch at either end}. You don’t have to use high tension, but it does some of the work for you and I’m all about less work.

  Begin by pulling the top thread on one end and moving the fabric down the thread to create your ruffle. I do half from one end and then use the top thread on the other end and pull it to ruffle up the other half. You want to gather it up to a width of 7”. Grab your fabric for the outside of your cover. Measure in 4.5” from one of the short ends and pin your ruffle to the main fabric. Using a regular stitch, sew your ruffle to your main fabric straight down the middle.  Here is what it should look like at this point.With your main outside fabric laying right side up, lay your contrast fabric right side down with the ruffle sandwiched in between. Pin together.

Leave a 4” opening on the long side at the opposite end from the ruffle.  Mine is marked with double pins.  Sew around the outside with a 1/4'” seam allowance {I use the edge of my presser foot} making sure to keep it even all the way around.Clip the corners and turn right side out. Press….this is mine before I pressed it Press the opening edges in and they will get sewn shut in the next step. Fold your cover in half making a crease down the middle. Lay your cover with the contrast fabric up. Fold the two ends towards the middle leaving a 1/2” space between the center crease and the folded piece. You should have 1” of the contrast fabric showing in the middle. Pin in place.Using a 1/8” seam allowance topstitch down each side of the cover. You want a pretty small seam allowance here in order for your checkbook to actually fit.  
Now, won’t you look all stylish when you have to write a check! 

{Here’s to hoping my pictures make up for any confusing directions.}

This post is linked to: Tutorial Tuesday, Sew much ado, Show and share, Tea Rose home, Whatever goes Wednesday, 733, Hoo’s Got Talent , Somewhat Simple, I made it!  & Tatertots and Jello