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