Happy New Year

starting off 2014 
...with January's Across The Pond Sew Along project

 Across The Pond Sew Along

Want to make something quick and fun? How about a scissors keeper ?
I have always liked seeing those cute scissors holders that are pictured on the net, but have not made one until now.

Maybe that's  because I am lucky to have a sister (who is  Amy of Amy Made That! blog), who  gave me a scissors keeper , along with a beautiful pair of Gingher scissors, one Christmas.

Christmas Gifts from my sister a few years ago

After researching some sites online, I found some really cute projects to make scissor keepers.  I like that there are lots of  different styles, to match different  needs and different tastes!
Here are some scissor keeper tutorials:

*  Heart Shaped Scissors Keeper Tutorial      by Handmade Harbour

Heart Shaped Scissors Keeper Tutorial   by Handmade Harbour   click HERE

*  Folded Fabric Scissor Holder - Rounded Top Version   by Vickis Fabric Creations

Folded Fabric Scissor Holder- Rounded Top Version   by Vickis Fabric Creations  
 Click HERE

*  Felt Scissor Case    by Wild Olive

Felt  Scissor case   by Wild Olive    click  HERE

*  Scissors Case Tutorial    by  Mother Huddle

Scissors Case Tutorial   by Mother Huddle     click HERE

*  Strawberry Scissorkeep   by  Red Brolly 

Strawberry Scissorkeep   by Red Brolly  click  HERE

*  Owl Scissors Case  In the Hoop embroidery   by Embroidery Garden  (for $4.99)

Owl Scissor Case   by Embroider Garden  (in the hoop)  click HERE

I noticed there are a lot of owl scissor keepers out there, and owl scissors!  They are so cute!  And,  I just adore that  felt strawberry scissorkeep....  I hope to make that  later in January. I'll show it to you, of course!

For today, I  decided to start out making my  first scissor keeper using the pattern ~
  Folded Fabric Scissor Holder - Rounded Top Version   by Vickis Fabric Creations 

photo by Vicki's Fabric Creations

• I chose some  Queen Ann's Butterflies  from Alchemy  by Amy Butler, for the main fabric, and some cream tonal white for the back .
• Then I enlarged my pattern (by Vicki Purnell) to fit onto a page of paper (7 1/4 inches across) 
•   front and back fabric pieces  - 8 3/4 inches  x 10 1/4 inches
•     Pellon 987 Fusible Fleece-  one piece  8 x 8     (this  leaves the bottom 2 inches with no fleece,  so there is less bulk when  folding the bottom point up)

My pattern was actually 7 1/4  inches wide (rather than 8 3/8 in)

Sewn together-  front, with fusible fleece, and back side

Vicki's tutorial explains how to fold over the edges, to make a total of 3 pockets.  You begin by folding the right bottom corner over to the far left side.

The first fold over looks like this.

Then , you fold it back to this new edge after making a crease ....

With the rest of Vicki's tutorial, I quickly end up with the 3 pocketed,  rounded top scissor keeper!

Note:  I did fold up the point at the bottom.   This was very bulky, and why I am using less Pellon 987 Fusible Fleece (none at that bottom edge ) the next time I make one . ( I even used a hammer to pound the fibers a little before sewing, to try to flatten the area out. I went slowly and even turned my wheel by hand for a few stitches. )

Folded Fabric Scissor Holder- Rounded Top Version       Susie's Sunroom

I added a little yoyo and bead flower to bring out some pink color in the butterfly fabric.  
It was an extra small yoyo, and I had some trouble making it.  Does anyone have any tips on making the small yoyo's ?  Are they harder than bigger ones?

(My confession:  I added beads to cover up some "less than perfect" yoyo gathering )

Size Comparison    

I like that it can hold my fabric scissors,  my embroidery scissors and a seam ripper, for traveling.   

This is an quick project, and would make a thoughtful gift.  You can easily  personalize it with an initial or a button or flower.  

I'd love to see if you make one.... you can simply add it to our ATPSA Flickr group, where we can all see any of the Across The Pond  projects that we have made.
And, If you want to see more  beautiful scissor holder ideas, hop on over to Amanda, The Patchsmith, and see her post.  Her scissors keepers are just beautiful!


As we say goodbye to 2013, and look forward to the new year...
I wish for all of you blessings,  happiness, and good health.

And may your bobbins always be full!