make something monday :: checkbook cover

Happy Monday Everyone, it's a brand new week full of much opportunity and life!

This morning  I am excited to share with you a fabulous guest tutorial for my make something monday feature! Tiffany from news from the tree fort has generously put together this cute checkbook cover project for us. I love it - the perfect afternoon sewing project to re-invent something that we all use.

Now without further ado:

I don't know about you, but I can't seem to remember to bring my checkbook to the few places I need to bring it. I became convinced a few weeks ago that if my checkbook was prettier, maybe I'd bring it with me. It worked. Here's how to make your own!

What you'll need:

• two pieces of coordinating fabric cut to size 7 1/2 inches tall x 7 inches wide for the outside and inside of your cover
  
• two pieces of fabric measuring 3 1/2 inches tall x 7 inches wide for the flap pockets
  
• one piece of fusible heavyweight interfacing 7 x 6 1/2
  
• two pieces of fusible heavyweight interfacing measuring 3 x 6 1/2
  
• 3/4 x 14 inch strip(s) of coordinating fabric for the rosette(s)
  
• your handy dandy glue gun
  

Step 1: Cut your fabricCut your big pieces at the same time with right sides facing. It's quick and then you know they match up. Press your fabric after you cut it to make sure it's all just right. Make any "squaring up" adjustments.
Step 2: Press your larger piece of interfacing so that it is centered on the back of your inside fabric (the one that will be hidden inside your checkbook) following the directions of whatever kind you chose (usually on a lower heat setting, no steam).
Take one piece of your smaller pieces and press the interfacing to that there is a halfish inch space at the top of one of the long ends. Fold and press your fabric 1/4 inch so that it meets the edge of the interfacing. Fold again and press. You should not be folding the interfacing, just snuggling up to the edge of it. Sew along the edge of this fold. Repeat with the other small piece of fabric.

Step 3: Lay your inside piece right side up on your ironing board. Lay the two smaller pieces, right sides up, so that the edges match up with the lower edges of the first piece and the edge with the fold and seam facing the middle. Now, take your outside fabric and place it face down on the other pieces and press. You have made a little sandwich. You may now pin a bit or depend on that bit of pressing and steam to hold things together for you as you sew up your sandwich.

Step 4: Beginning 1/4 inch from the end, sew about 1/2 inch up one of the long sides of the fabric sandwich, using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Back stitch. Snip your thread. Scoot your fabric so that you catch the last 1/4 inch of the small piece that's sandwiched in the middle (this will make the next steps easier), leaving a 2ish inch gap for turning. (These measurements are approximate. You just want to start that seam, leave a space for turning and then keep creating that seam.) Snip the corners leaving just a few threads between your snip and your seam. This will make your corners turn out nice and crisp.

Step 5. Turn your fabrics right side out.

This may feel like you are losing a wrestling match, but it will work out. I usually stick my fingers inside the gap left for turning and grab a corner to pull out first. You may need to jam your finger or a pencil into the corners to get them to poke out nicely. Tug and scoot it until it looks like a slightly lumpy checkbook cover. Press it out all nice, smoothing as you go. Where the space is, poke the seam allowance in and press so you can't see it's there. Then, sew close to the edge, all around the edge of your checkbook cover, creating a nice decorative stitch that also closes up that gap. Voila! You now have your very own checkbook cover!

Step 6: The rosette

Take a strip of coordinating fabric about 1 3/4 inches wide x 14 inches long. Press the end of the strip in half the long way. This will encourage your fabric to stay right side out. Tie a knot in the end, scooting the knot right down to the edge.
Hold the little knot in your fingers and twist a few inches of fabric into a cylinder and pinch between your last two fingers.

Dab a little bit of glue on the side of the middle knot and press your twisted fabric up against it. Give it a good pinch to encourage it to stay put. Repeat this process, gluing every 3/4 turn or so, to keep things tidy. You want to put your glue on the side, not the back or top of your twisted fabric because you may change your mind as to which side of your rosette you want to be the front.When you have 1/2 inch left of your fabric look at both sides of your flower and decide which you like best. Twist and turn that last bit of fabric to what is now the back. Give it some glue and a good pinch. Give the back of your rosette a good helping of glue and place it on your checkbook cover. You could also hand stitch it on there if you want, but the glue gun is so handy.

Tada! You won't forget to bring your checkbook to church or pre-school again!

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I love this! Chris and I have been taking the Financial Peace course at our Church for the past few weeks and have recently been convicted to start a cash only system in our home. This checkbook cover could easily be adapted to a cash/receipt sleeve too - so versatile!

Thank you Tiffany for such a wonderful tutorial it is an honor to have your contribution today! Check out Tiffany's blog HERE for more fun inspiration and her etsy shop HERE for adorable handmade bags!

And a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you too today Tiffany, have a wonderful day celebrating!!!!!! xo