Geta's Quilting Studio

Fresh Ideas for Quilts and Bags

  • Shop
  • Cart
  • Blog
  • Freebies
  • Tutorials
  • Shop
  • Quilt Inspiration
  • Bag Inspiration
  • Born to Quilt

Quilted portfolio tutorial or sewing a gift for a little girl

January 27, 2010 46 Comments

I made a notebook and pencil case for the little girl of my friends. I added to it even handles. She is six years old and loves to read and write. I think she will enjoy this little “bag” because anywhere she goes, she carries with her some books, notebooks and pencils…
Quilted portfolio tutorial
You can see here two improved versions.

Size -15″ x 12.5″ (when it is folded )

This case has been made to comfortably fit A4-sized notebooks, an A5 notebook and a few pencils.

Size: 15″ X 25″ (unfolded) .
Let’s sew it !
Cut two rectangles (16″x26″) from two different fabrics and one piece (the same size) of batting.
I used cotton quilting fabrics and I fused a piece of fusible interfacing (medium weight) onto the back of one of the fabrics.
Make a sandwich from all the layers and quilt it.
Adjust the quilted piece to 15″x24.5″.
Find the center of the piece and stitch 0.25″ to the right and left of the center line (see the yellow lines).If you want you can add a monogram.I used Wonder Under to fuse the monogram to the quilted piece.Applique the monogram.

The pockets
Cut two pieces (9.5″x15″) from two fabrics; fuse medium weight interfacing to one of the piece.Make the ruffle
Cut a strip 3″x30″ from an accent fabric.

Fold and press the strip in half lengthwise with the wrong side inside.
Set your machine to the longest available straight stitch (mine is 6).
Run a stitch 1/8” away from the raw edges. Do not backstitch and leave the thread ends long.
To gather the ruffle, you’ll need to pull on the bobbin thread. Do not tug the thread too hard, or it might break.

Pin the ruffle to the longest edge of the fabric you want as front of the pocket and stitch using 1/8″ seam allowance. Do not catch in the seam 0.25″ of the ends of the ruffle.

Here is a detail

Lay the back piece of the pocket on top of the front piece+ruffle and pin into place. Make sure that the right sides are facing each other.
Stitch the long edges using 0.25″seam allowances.

Turn the piece right side out.

Topstitch over the ruffled edge.

Lay the pocket over the quilted piece. Align the bottom edge of the pocket with the left center seam. Topstitch close to the edges.

After the stitching is done, remove the excess of the ruffle.

Your piece should look in this way:

For the second pocket cut :
– two pieces 8″X9″ (interface one of them);
Stitch the two pieces together, leaving a long side unstiched.

Clip the corners,turn it right side out

press it well.

For the third pocket cut two piece 7.25″x5.25″ (interface one of them). Repeat the above steps but leave unstitched one of the short sides.

Prepare the heart shape
Download the template

Fold a piece a fabric with right sides together. Trace the template. Stitch and cut out the shape leaving small seam allowances. Cut a slit into one of the piece of fabric and turn the piece right side out. Press well.



Place the pockets onto the quilted piece.

Stitch the pockets close to the edges (see the black lines in the photo below).

Make slots for pencils
Draw lines about 1.25″ apart (see the yellow lines below). Topstitch over these lines. Backstitch each stitching line to reinforce it.
Applique the heart shape.


Prepare the handles
Cut two strips (3″X 12″) of fabric.
Fold and press the strips in half lengthwise with the wrong side inside.
Open and press long edges to center. Fold again in half and press.
Topstitch along the edges.

Stitch the handles in place.

Bind the piece using a 2.5″ wide strip of fabric.

I love yo-yos and buttons… I use them whenever I can…

My gifts for a special little girl are ready to be shipped ! I hope she will enjoy these “Pockets with Love” too !

Happy sewing,
Geta

«
»

Filed Under: bag tutorials, handmade bags

Comments

  1. Luv 2 Kreate says

    January 27, 2010 at 3:21 pm

    That is adorable. Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply
  2. Nancy says

    January 27, 2010 at 3:38 pm

    This will be a perfect Christmas gift for my 3 granddaughters… Thank you for the tutorial…

    I love the ruffle detail.

    Reply
  3. SewCalGal says

    January 27, 2010 at 3:50 pm

    Geta,

    Very cute tutorial!

    SewCalGal
    http://www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

    Reply
  4. Reflections of life and art says

    January 27, 2010 at 3:56 pm

    What a wonderful gift and tutorial…thanks Geta for sharing the process…they would make wonderful gifts for little ones and big ones for Christmas…gotta think ahead!

    Reply
  5. kheli says

    January 27, 2010 at 4:06 pm

    Just for LITTLE girls? Heck, no! I am making one of these for myself!!! Oh, okay, I will make them for my nieces as well.

    Thanks! Love it!

    Reply
  6. Melissa says

    January 27, 2010 at 4:31 pm

    i would have loved that when i was little! heck! i love it now!

    Reply
  7. Mary L. says

    January 27, 2010 at 5:22 pm

    Another wonderful, professional tutorial! And such a cute project!

    Reply
  8. Duff says

    January 27, 2010 at 5:25 pm

    How thoughtful of you to make this for a friend's daughter–and even more thoughtful to make a tutorial for the rest of us!
    You rock!!

    Reply
  9. Großmutters Nähkästchen says

    January 27, 2010 at 5:27 pm

    Oh, it's very cute! Thank's for tutorial!
    Michaela

    Reply
  10. Sanda says

    January 27, 2010 at 5:32 pm

    Este deosebit, si foarte frumos explicat!
    Bravo Geta!

    Reply
  11. Sew Create It - Jane says

    January 27, 2010 at 6:14 pm

    Wonderful tutorial! It is just the thing any girl…young or old..would love!

    Reply
  12. zigzago says

    January 27, 2010 at 6:26 pm

    Hi Geta, this is a lovely tutorial, I'm going to make one of these1 I would also linke to link you on my other blog "http://a-tutto-zigzago.blogspot.com", … can I???
    Have a nice evening, hugs, Renata.

    Reply
  13. Anonymous says

    January 27, 2010 at 8:17 pm

    What a great idea, thank you! I'm going to make something like this for my granddaughter for when she goes places and has to wait, like restaurants and doctor offices. Maybe I'll make one side stiff enough to draw on. Cool!

    Kelly

    Reply
  14. Margot says

    January 27, 2010 at 8:39 pm

    Geta, happiness that this girl will get to receive your gift! You are very beautiful. Thanks for posting for us.

    huga

    Reply
  15. Vicki W says

    January 27, 2010 at 11:34 pm

    Great tutorial!

    Reply
  16. Marion says

    January 28, 2010 at 12:10 am

    I appreciate your sharing this project with us. Thanks. I'm with the others, one for me, some for gifts no matter the age.

    Reply
  17. quiltcrazygal says

    January 28, 2010 at 12:22 am

    This is awesome! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  18. jan says

    January 28, 2010 at 1:02 am

    Just what my GD will love. Thank you Geta, something else I have to get my teeth into.
    Jan

    Reply
  19. Yvonne says

    January 28, 2010 at 1:27 am

    I love it Geta, and so does my daughter, she wants one…..today!! Thanks so much for making such clear directions, as one other comment said, you could make one side stiff, maybe with a bit of cardboard inside so you could lean on it. What a great occupier for the kids when waiting with you for an appointment or in the car travelling….

    Reply
  20. Margarita says

    January 28, 2010 at 2:26 am

    How Cute Geta, Thanks for sharing, I can see myself making a few of these.

    Reply
  21. Sandy says

    January 28, 2010 at 4:27 am

    This is adorable, Geta! I think my little granddaughter might need one of these to take to preschool!

    Reply
  22. flisa says

    January 28, 2010 at 7:31 am

    What a wonderful gift! Thank you so much for the tutorial, you have done a great job!

    Reply
  23. Anonymous says

    January 28, 2010 at 8:34 am

    foarte frumos tutorialul.felicitari pentru tot talentul de care dai dovada.esti un exemplu de urmat.

    Reply
  24. Eva says

    January 28, 2010 at 9:59 am

    MAGNÍFICO TUTORIAL
    GRACIAS POR PONERLO
    SALUDOS -EVA

    Reply
  25. Mihaela says

    January 28, 2010 at 10:39 am

    Ca de obicei explicatiile tale sunt foarte concise si foarte clare!Gentuta este foarte frumoasa si utila! Cu siguranta vei face inca o fetita fericita!

    Reply
  26. Miss Nancy says

    January 28, 2010 at 2:20 pm

    What a great idea for a little girl, maybe even for big girls too. Thank you so much for sharing this idea.
    Have a great day.

    Reply
  27. Jenice says

    January 28, 2010 at 8:49 pm

    Since I don't have an active blog I posted your contest on facebook.

    Reply
  28. Anonymous says

    January 29, 2010 at 6:30 pm

    Just wonderful pockets!! Want order but have not Pay Pal system, only Visa.

    Your blog was amazing!! Aune from Finland

    Reply
  29. Lisa @ Life with 4! says

    February 1, 2010 at 2:28 pm

    wonderful tutorial!

    my 8 year old daughter would absolutely love this. It would be fun to make up a few and have handy for birthday parties.

    Would be great for a boy who likes to draw also. leave off the ruffle and heart. just use boyish fabric.

    thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  30. julia says

    February 1, 2010 at 4:59 pm

    love it great step by step instructions I may be able to do it I just got a sewing machine very beautiful 🙂

    Reply
  31. Karen says

    February 1, 2010 at 8:04 pm

    I think this is adorable, adn started making it for my granddaughter. Just one question – how to start with 14 x 26 and then adjust it down to 15 x 24 1/2?

    I cut my pieces 14 x 26, so I'll have to adjust the measurements to work. It's something I think she will love! thank you.

    Reply
  32. geta@romanianquiltstudio.com says

    February 1, 2010 at 8:58 pm

    I made the correction !
    Thank you Karen!

    Reply
  33. Karen says

    February 5, 2010 at 5:15 pm

    I finished it today 🙂 I also bought some pretty pink pencils, a girlie notebook and some heart shaped paper clips, assorted color pens, to fill it up with. I think she will love it. Thank you for the tutorial!

    Reply
  34. Ksenia says

    February 8, 2010 at 10:19 pm

    E superba!!!!

    Reply
  35. annee says

    February 11, 2010 at 10:03 am

    Geta, Your sewing is beautiful and so inspiring. I love your blog 🙂 This is a wonderful tutorial…Thankyou!!!!

    Reply
  36. personalized retirement gifts says

    April 28, 2010 at 7:26 am

    Its fantastic, i also want to make for my daughter. Really surprising.
    Love the purse very much.

    Reply
  37. Sandra says

    May 10, 2010 at 11:04 pm

    What a cute idea! I will plan to make this for my four-year-old grand-daughter. Thanks for sharing the idea!

    Reply
  38. Quilting Fabric says

    January 9, 2011 at 8:08 pm

    Interesting… I was searching this info for my uncle. He will be happy for such a great info. Thanks for sharing…
    Ana

    Reply
  39. Maggi says

    March 11, 2011 at 1:24 pm

    You made a lovely pattern and tutorial. I'v linked it to my webbsite Maggishandmade.se so my readers can have this great tutorial

    Reply
  40. Charo says

    March 17, 2011 at 9:19 pm

    I have just met your blog and I love it you have so many beautiful projects…!

    I love these portfolios, your tutorial is so clear…! I'll try to do one myself.
    Thank you very much.

    Greetings from Spain

    Reply
  41. Shades of Blue says

    July 29, 2011 at 4:01 am

    Consider me inspired! This is such a cute gift. your tutorial is spectacular, wonderful pictures and easy to understand. Thank you for sharing 🙂

    Reply
  42. Annie says

    September 13, 2011 at 1:16 pm

    Hi, I have stumbled across your site heaven knows how – but I find it HEAVENLY!!
    Thank you for sharing your knowledge so generously – you are a wonderful teacher. By your kind actions you are making countless people happy and become confident quilters. Your blog is a joy to wander through. Keep up the good work.

    Reply
  43. Karen@SimpleBlue says

    October 12, 2011 at 2:29 pm

    Thank you! I made one of these. You can see it here, if you'd like to: http://handmadesimpleblue.blogspot.com/2011/10/art-carrier.html

    Reply
  44. Teresa Cline says

    December 2, 2013 at 12:37 am

    Thank you for this tutorial. I am a beginner sewer and I have been looking for a portfolio to construct. I will tweak the pattern a little for my cross stitch items to hold and cross stitch a few things on it.

    teresacline1@yahoo.com
    madewithlovebyteresa.blogspot.com

    Reply
  45. Rhonda Morrison says

    November 8, 2018 at 2:19 am

    I was searching Pinterest to find a tutorial to sew for a swap Secret Santa gift. I thought a nice little bag to be able to put a sewing or quilting magazine, couple little pockets to store the basic notions needed to use as a travel bag. This project was perfect and i am in the process of making it. I am going to make one for myself as well. Thank you for sharing this tutorial.
    Rhonda

    Reply
  46. personalised mothers day gifts says

    March 2, 2020 at 7:18 am

    Thank you for sharing, I am a beginner, I did a little after watching your sharing

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Looking for something?

Hello and Welcome!
I am Geta Grama, a Romanian quilter.

I design quilt and bag patterns.
Here you will find inspiration, enthusiasm and encouragement for all your quilting dreams.

Meet Geta

Contact Geta

Sweet Words

Main topics

Quilting Free Motion Quilting Shadow Trapunto Bag Making Sewing

Popular Blog Posts

Archive by category

Copyright © 2018 · Geta Grama | Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025 · Delightful theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2025 · Geta Grama