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Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Bird Needle Case Tutorial and Giveaway

Somehow, I never got around to posting my bird needle case here. It's a fun little project that uses the AccuQuilt Bird die -- or you could find a bird applique pattern to use. You've probably already got one somewhere in your pattern collection.



This is the first needle case I've made, and I'm surprised at how handy it is. I can never find a needle when I need one because I hide the packages from my little boys and then can't remember where I put them. My youngest takes those round plastic packages that dispense the needles one at a time as a personal challenge. And pin cushions, especially the cute ones, are just asking for trouble.

The needle case is small enough to tuck away, and they can't see the needles -- I think that's the secret of its success.

Want to make your own? (If you want one but don't want to make it, just scroll down to the bottom and enter my giveaway.) You'll need four 3 1/2" x 6" pieces of print fabric (if you're using the bottom bird on the die -- if you're using a different bird, check the measurements), some small scraps if you want your birdie to have wings, two 3 1/2" x 6" pieces of cotton batting, and four 3 1/2" x 6" pieces of fusible web, and a 6" wide strip of flannel for the inner pages.



Make two sandwiches of fabric and batting by fusing your print fabric to both sides of a batting piece. (I made my first birds without the fusible web, but I think it adds more structure to the book covers and makes sewing the edges easier, especially around the beak and tail.



Run each piece through the AccuQuilt Go! cutter. If you want your bird to have wings, cut those too. Cut four layers of flannel for the inner pages.



Trim off the head and tail of your inner pages, and just a bit off of the belly. This keeps the tail and beak from showing once your needle case is assembled.





Zig zag or buttonhole stitch around both birds and their wings. Layer the front and back covers of your needle book with the inner pages and sew a straight seam just inside the edge of the bird's back -- from the base of its neck to the beginning of the tail (marked with pins in the picture.)



Between the video and this tutorial, I've made more needle cases than I can use myself, so I'm giving one of them (the black one from these pictures) away. To enter, just become a follower and leave a comment before 11:59pm September 29. Or, if you're already a follower, leave a comment and let me know. You can get an extra entry by linking to this tutorial from your blog - just leave another comment and let me know where you've linked from.

I'll pick a random winner and send the needle case off along with some needles to keep in it. International entries are okay, too -- it's light enough to mail anywhere.

23 comments:

  1. What a cute project!! Thanks for sharing.

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  2. Thats adorable.I love anything with birds.

    Have a beautiful day!

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  3. I love the one you're working on. I still haven't gotten one made. I am thinking of trying wool.

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  4. Anonymous9:48 AM

    THE LITTLE BIRD NEEDLE HOLDER COULDN'T BE ANY CUTER!!! LOVE IT!
    HAPPILY FOLLOWING YOU+THANKS FOR A SWEET GIVEAWAY!

    jldouglas@wispwest.net

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  5. What a cute project using your AccuQuilt die! Great tutorial!

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  6. I'm a new follower. Looking forward to following your creativeness! Very cute needle case!

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  7. What an adorable project! I am bookmarking -- and will be back to make my own little bird!

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  8. Very clever, and one of the cutest needlecases that I've seen!

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  9. I love this cute project and would like to try to make one! I'm a follower, too! ♥

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  10. Anonymous5:48 PM

    That is so gorgeous, thank you for sharing it with us!

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  11. that's SO cute and easy, I have this stupid piece of fabric in my sewing pouch! don't have the bird die but a circle might work?! I'm going to try it! thanks- and I will follow your blog too now :-)

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  12. How cute! I'm a new follower and I love your tutorial. I need to get one of these AccuQuilt cutters!

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  13. This is so cute and another great way to use up all those small scraps we can't seem to part with. Great stocking stuffers or gifts to our quilting/sewing friends. Small pieces of warm & natural batting may work also. Thanks for sharing.

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  14. This is so cute!!! I'm a new follower!!! Thanks for the chance to win. Hugs Ariane

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  15. What a cute Birdie needle holder you have come up with. I would love to win it as never seem to get around to doing stuff for myself!! One of the dies on my list!!
    Thanks

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  16. Am I too late? This is sew cute! I'd love a Go or Baby Go.

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  17. It looks so difficult to make, so I try to win one instead:-) Good job.

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  18. What a clever idea. You could apply your idea to many of the applique cut outs. Thank you for the giveaway. Have added you to my Reader list.

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  19. Love this needle keeper. I don't quilt but believe I can make this project. I make a lot of needle keepers usually cross stitch.

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  20. CLever and cute!!!!!! Thanks for rejuvenating this post at Tuesday Archives!

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  21. Real sweet and makes a nice gift.

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  22. Gives me some new Ideas for my needle books. Thanks. Lynn

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