Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Let's Get Down To Business making something pretty!

It is time to get down to business and what better way than making a business card holder. Now this just isn't any business card holder – no way!

This business card holder is made with fabrics -  beautiful batiks from Island Batik! I have also added some "bling" as I love shiny things! I have decorated my business card holder with Kreinik's new thread called Facets!

We are quilters! We should have a pretty fabric business card holder – don't you agree?

So let's get started -  (keep reading as you will have an opportunity to win some beautiful batiks).

  You will need three fabrics. Two of mine are from their brand new  Island Batik - Amber Ale collection. Aren't they lovely? They are some of my favorite colors. This collection was just introduced at Spring Market with a quilt I made. (Pattern will be available soon on my website.)






 



Choose two of the three pieces of fabric and cut them 5 ½" x 6 ½". Choose which will be your outer cover fabric (my choice was the orange) and then let's have some fun adding bling! Decorate before you stitch the covers together.




 
I am using Kreinik's thread called Facets! It looks like little tiny beads and this is easier and quicker than sewing on one bead at a time. Use your zigzag stitch with a matching thread color. It is like couching. I just did some random stitches following the pine needles on the fabric. But with  practice, I will be able to do some beautifully detailed stitches.





 

Set the cover aside while you make the inside pockets.
There are two pocket sizes for the holder. Using your third fabric, cut a piece of fabric 6 ½" x 8 ½" for the tall pocket. Fold the 8 ½" side in half and press. For the short pocket, cut a piece of fabric  6" x 6 ½". Fold the 6" side in half and press.



Now place the tall  pocket on the inside piece of fabric, matching the side and bottom edges. Add the short pocket on top of that again matching the side and bottom edges.









 





                                               Pin in place. 


(Keep reading to see those great fabrics that you will have an opportunity to win!)




 

Now locate the middle of the pockets and stitch from the bottom to the top of the tall pocket, and back down again. This just gives a little extra strength to the holder. 
Before we sew the inside and outside covers together, we need to make a loop of fabric so we can close the holder and keep our business cards inside. Choose a button that the fabric will loop around first. Then take a piece of your outside fabric and cut a piece approximately 1" x 4" long.The length of the strip will vary depending on the button size you choose for the clasp. Try the loop around the button before stitching the holder together.
 
Next finger press the strip together so there are no raw edges and then iron. Now stitch it together with a stitch down the middle.
 









Pin the loop to the right side of the inside business card holder. Note: the loop will go inside over the pockets with the ends in the seam line. Again you may need to trim the edges depending on the size of the button you choose for the clasp. 
Take the outside and the inside of the business card holder and, place the right sides together. Stitch around the holder leaving a couple of inches open on one side for turning.







Turn and either whip stitch or top stitch on your machine to close. Sew the button to the opposite side of the loop.











 Add your business cards and you are good to go! You will be amazed at all the comments and compliments you get when you take out your business cards in their pretty new holder!

This is one of the business card holders I made, but they were so quick and easy I made another one as well! (These will make great last minute gifts!)

Please notice the decorative stitching around the butterfly. I am so pleased!
And here are both of them showing the Kreinik Thread "Facets" that was used.One Facet is very delicate while the other is much thicker and they give two different effects.They are indeed a wonderful compliment to the beautiful Island Batik fabrics!


Now so you can make your own lovely "Island Batik" fabric business card holders, I have some Island Batik fabric to give away to some lucky winner. (This will be for USA residents only due to customs regulations. ) 


Isn't this lovely? For an opportunity to call this yours, all you have to do is leave a comment telling me what you will make with your lovely Island Batik fabrics (after the business card holder of course). You have until midnight  CDT on Monday, June 16 to leave your comment - so start talking!

I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to let me know. When you make your business card holder, please share.

And don't forget to sign up for my newsletter as I offer specials every month. Just add your name to the list.

Until next time...

Nan

41 comments:

  1. I think that will make a sweet table runner and some coasters! Great idea, and thanks for sharing about the thread. Nice touch. I love Island Batiks!

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  2. Oh, those are so beautiful! I'd love to make some throw pillow covers for my couch - that way I could enjoy them every day!

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  3. Wow there are some great ideas! Table runners, coasters and pillows! Thank you for sharing!

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  4. This is from Shari M. This looks "Easy Peasy" and something I want to try. I would make pillows! Thanks for your tutorial! (She had problems leaving a comment and emailed them to me.)

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  5. after making the business card holder, I would need a matching wallet and calendar cover of course. Thank you for the chance.

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    1. Karen, What a great idea! Thanks for sharing.

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  6. Ilike to use batiks in my applique quits, but also like to make la quilts, etc with them, or use them intermittently with patchwork. The sky is the limit!

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    1. Batiks are so much fun to work with. Thanks for stopping by.

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  7. Nan, this is a great idea and tutorial. What a fun and quick gift idea. I would love to win the fabric. I would use them to make some lovely table accessories for fall. The colors speak to me about fall leaves. Placemats or a table runner I think. Fall is my favorite time of year.

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    1. Robin, Thank you for your compliments! These are easy and fun. I like the idea about the table runner. Fall is my favorite time of year too.

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  8. Nan, I love the business card holder and I've been looking for an easy pattern. It is so similar to the wallet pattern I have. And I need a new wallet because I've nearly worn mine out! It would be so cool to have matching business card holder and wallet. Since I'm the scrap quilter, it would be nice to do something different for a change.

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    1. Linda, can't wait to see what you do. Please share. Thanks for stopping by!

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  9. I'll use them to make business card holders!! Thanks for the great idea. I'm going to rummage through my fabric right now to make this!

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    1. Laurie,
      I hope you will share what you make. We love show and tell!
      Thank you.

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  10. I make steering wheel covers this time of year as it is hot, hot, hot in Arizona at the moment and whenever you park and come back to your car, the steering wheel needs a potholder to touch it!

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    1. A very good idea - we could use those in FL as well! Thanks for your input!

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  11. Those batiks are lovely and so is the card holder! I would definitely have to make a nice purse, with ample pockets, to carry the card holder in, along with a handmade tissue holder and wallet. One should have a coordinated ensemble after all! Thanks for the great tutorial.

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    1. Terri,
      You are most welcome - I hope you will share your ensemble with us! Thanks for stopping by.

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  12. Oh my! All my good ideas have come up already- just goes to show "great minds think alike"! We just moved to a different home and I need all sorts of things, but throw pillows would be great, or ... and I will run out of time before I get them all done.
    Gloria, Oklahoma City, OK

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    1. You are going to be busy decorating your new house! Enjoy & thanks for your comments!

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  13. I think I would make a tote with these gorgeous batiks. Thanks for the tutorial for the business card holder!

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    1. Pat,
      A tote is a great idea and one that hasn't been suggested. Thank you.

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  14. I need a new business card holder and this is perfect! I think I'll make a matching wallet and tissue holder, too. On another subject - the Krenick thread looks very thick. Do you need to use a special needle for it, or change the tension?

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    1. Love the idea for the wallet and tissue holder. You do not need a special needle for the Kreinik thread - facets. Use the zigzag setting and sit across to held the little beads in place. Also there are several sizes of the threads. Thanks.

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  15. Thank you for the awesome tutorial Nan :-)
    I would make a matching clutch or purse to put my business card holder in. That would be so perfect for my purposes.
    Thanks again. I love great tutorials!
    Cheryl
    irishoday28@gmail.com

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    1. Cheryl,
      I am so glad you enjoyed the tutorial. A matching clutch or purse would be great. Thank you again.

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  16. What a fun project and those are beautiful fabrics!! I would make a pillow!

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    1. Thanks Connie, the fabrics are lovely and would make a great pillow!

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  17. I LOVE making handmade napkins with my batiks! I have some in my shop : www.dramatiquedesigns.etsy.com; so i shall make napkins !

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  18. What a great idea! So simple. I'm planning a matching case for my hand sewing tools- needle threader, needles, seam ripper, tiny scissors, etc. Thanks for doing this post. Donna MJ Kinsey, kinseyquilts.com

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    1. Thank you - I am glad you like it. I hope you will share what you make!

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  19. Once I finish the business card holder I would make a tote with the other fabric, so I will have a nice set to shop with when I visit fabric stores!

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    1. Rita - a great idea to carry all that lovely fabric home. Thank you.

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  20. I think I would make a quilt using the drunkards path block, which can be arranged to create circles with a different fabric in each quadrant. The fabrics would lend themselves to a beautiful sunset effect. Of course that would be after I petted them for awhile;) batiks are my hands down fabric favorite. BTW LOVE the thread tip. It looks great and what a time saver over individual beads!

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    1. Jane,
      Sounds like a great idea. I love the drunkard's path block. Also if you have an opportunity to try the thread - do it. You will really like it. Thanks for stopping by.

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  21. I would make a little runner for the back of my couch....colors will go great :)

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    1. Julie,
      You have given us another idea. Thank you.

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  22. I will place your designed fabrics into a Double Wedding Ring Bed Runner!

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  23. Still another good idea! Thank you so much!

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  24. They are the perfect colors for the wedding quilt I am making!

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