"Pick a Pocket"

There is one advantage of making a quilt top, putting it away for a while and then finishing it later. It is like new all over again! Often when I put them on a shelf somewhere, they are just “so so” to me - but they somehow improve while sitting on the shelf!

This is number 34 in my “upcycled blues” series where I decided to use up my second hand blue fabrics when I found myself with 6 boxes of these fabrics!

These are all pockets. There are a couple of filler blocks that I did use - but otherwise, all pockets and a thin strip of white fabric that went between the pockets and between the rows.

I showed how I made this top here. I don’t really want to re-cover that ground.

Because I made this specific to MY pockets that I had, I was unable to write a pattern, but if this idea fascinates you, just go back to the post linked above. I show you more pictures and tell you how I made it.

The back is all second hand fabrics.

I wasn’t entirely sure how to quilt this, but I did do the easy thing and used white thread and sewed on the white to secure each pocket down.

I knew that wouldn’t be enough, however, and I wanted more security with the quilting. Oh, I did use poly batting, as I know that my poly batting holds up fine with 4-6” apart ties.

I used a special clasping stitch found on my Janome 8900. Actually, it’s one I programmed into it - a specialized stitch, then a lock stitch and then the machine automatically cut it because I programmed it that way. So, I secured each pocket at each corner, and one inbetween each of the three sides. At the top, where the opening was, I pulled down the opening and did a stitch just below the edge, so it can’t be seen from outside.

It did take quite a while, but it was quite easy. I could just set it in position and hold the pedal down until it finished all the steps and then move the quilt to the next place to take a stitch!

Anyway, I like it.

Here are some close ups of the clasp stitch that I did.

Here is the overall look of the pocket

Around the bottom of the pocket

I pulled down the top and did a stitch inside the pocket

You can't see the stitch!

Here is what an ideal stitch looks like. They didn't all turn out this pretty!

I think I’m going to try to make some more kids quilts (for grands, etc.) and incorporate at least one pocket in each one so they can hold their precious things in them!

Be sure to check out what my sis has for you in the store!

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