Making a Blue or Gold Star Service Banner

After writing about Rod Raubeson, the former Marine who taught himself to sew in order to make Blue Star and Gold Star Service Banners, I decided to make one, myself.

I was able to locate directions and a pattern for both the center star and the border measurements from The Quilter's Cache at: Armed Services Flag with alternate directions available from Blue Star Banner If a quilt is desired, directions and a pattern are available from the Military Mom's website at: Blue Star Banner Quilt

It is very important to understand that only families with actively serving members of the Armed Forces are to hang up an armed services banner such as this one. Anyone can make one or buy one, but only families in active and armed military service are to actually hang one on display in a front window.

The concept of a service banner is both licensed and regulated. They are meant to honor and show respect for the families whose fathers, wives, sons and daughters are away and serving during times of armed conflict. Today, Blue Star Service Banners are displayed by families in all branches of the Armed Services, including the National Guard and the Reserves.
https://www-perscom.army.mil/tagd/tioh/FAQ/ServiceFlagFactSheet.htm

1.To Make a Blue or Gold Star Service Banner you need basic sewing supplies and fabrics of red ( for (4) 2 1/2" strips), white ( for a 9" x 14" center panel) and blue ( for a star that is about 7" x 7") I chose to make mine a quilted banner, so I also used a thin batting.

2. The 2 1/2" red borders are attached to both of the sides and then both the upper and lower edges. Trim evenly to size. By using a machined zigzag stitch or turning under and hand sewing, the star is then appliqued to the background (white) fabric and through the batting.

3. Right sides together, seam front and back together, leaving a small side opening for turning right sides out.

4. A narrow 'quilting rod' sleeve can either be hand or machine sewn on the backing. I show it here with a cord indicating its location. Fold it under to the back and slip stitch down for the final project.

5. I also added free-motion or meander quilting stitches throughout the center panel's surface to create a decorative effect and emphasis the quilted banner aspect.


6. To 'hang', insert a wooden dowel or curtain rod through the quilt sleeve unit in the back and hang with decorative cording, as desired.

As an alternative hanging method, you can use two narrow hanging loops and insert the rod through them. Make them with two pieces of 2 1/2" strips stitched down or seamed right sides together. Iron flat, and insert between sandwiched layers while stitching top seam in Step #2.

To Make a Gold Star Banner:
Substitute a gold star for the blue one. This signifies that this family has lost a family member in the armed services while on active duty.

Lest We Forget:
For those who cannot sew, but have family members in the military and wish to display a banner in their window, banners can be purchased at the American Legion website and and paper banners are also available for download at my previous post: Blue and Gold Star Service Banners ( http://with-heart-and-hands.blogspot.com/2008/03/blue-star-and-gold-star-service-banners.html)

Blue Star and Gold Star Service Banners

Charlie Gibson of ABC News has named Rod Raubeson, former Marine who taught himself to sew on a 70 year old Singer sewing machine as the "Person of the Week."

Raubeson who served more than 40 years ago in the Marines, tried to find a 'service banner'..something that was once commonly used on those homes with a family member in the Armed Services.

Disappointed by the fading of a once honored tradition, he taught himself to sew and made his own. Today, you can find him at his sewing machine, creating service star banners for the families of those who currently serve in one of the Armed Services.

As Raubeson says, "When I started the banner project, I anticipated I would probably end up doing 200, 300 flags, and the war would be over."

But so far he has made 3,000 banners: 1,500 blue and 1,500 gold. A blue star banner means a family has a loved one serving in the military. A gold star signifies a loved one killed in action.

Raubeson is only able to make a few banners a day and his name never appears on any of them. He figures he's left his mark, anyway.

"There are not too many of these banners that don't have a prick of blood from a needle that carelessly stuck in my thumb, and certainly many of them have tears in them. But don't worry folks, they're washed before they're sent out!"

Raubeson not only taught himself to sew, using a 70 year old Singer sewing machine, but he also uses a rotary cutter and mat. Each piece of fabric is cut by hand, and each panel is exactly the same. Raubeson creates a perfectly crisp seam, reminiscent of a soldier's dress uniform, then stitches the 12-by-17-inch banners up to the clickety-clack of his sewing machine.
.
"When I am sewing, a lot of the time I flash back to being a machine gunner," Raubeson said. "I can send off a burst of six stitches, and I know it's six stitches!"

Service banners while common during World Wars I and II, had pretty much disappeared by the Vietnam War...replaced by the yellow ribbons and the wish for soldiers to be able to return home, again.

But now, thanks to Rob, at least 3,000 of them are being hung up in windows once more. And as he says, when you see a Blue Star family, think of them with respect and regard. But when you see a gold star, remember that they have given up a priceless gift..they've lost a member of their own family.

Community service is a precious thing and I know that Rob is making a difference in his community and communities everywhere. But I can't help but think it might be time to hang out some yellow ribbons, as well.
ABC news video:
Vet's Mission to Honor Soldiers Mar. 28, 2008

Links:
If you are interested in making a banner or quilt using this flag go to the Quilter's Cache to learn how to make an Armed Services Flag

Also the Military Mom's website has the instructions and a free pattern to make a Blue Star Banner Quilt.

It is important that you make these only for families of service men or women, as this symbol is a very special one reserved for this purpose. These flags or banners are only to be displayed during periods of war or hostilities.

Lest We Forget:
Of course we can all make other patriotic quilts to show we are thinking of those people who are serving our country in these difficult times.
Patriotic Heartstrings Quilting Project

The Blue Star Service Banner American Legion
To order a banner from the American Legion
Directions For Making a Blue or Gold Star Service Banner
Paper blue star banners for patterns or for personal use by military families with active members currently serving in the military ONLY to hang inside their home windows.
Download One-Star Blue Star Banner 8 1/2 x 11
Download One-Star Blue Star Banner 8 1/2 x 14
Download Two-StarS Blue Star Banner 8 1/2 x 11
Download Three-StarS Blue Star Banner 8 1/2 x 11
Download Four-StarS Blue Star Banner 8 1/2 x 11
Download Five-Star Blue StarS Banner 8 1/2 x 11

Please note:
Legally, only government licensed sources may officially manufacture true Blue Star banners in mass. But just like paper flags during 9/11, unofficial forms of flags and banners, used and hung with respect do not infringe on copyright laws of actual manufacturing rules.

Other links: Our Nation's Fallen Heroes
Free Patriotic Quilting Patterns

Earth Hour, March 29, 2008: 8pm-9pm

On Saturday, March 29, 2008 at 8 p.m., millions of people around the world will make a statement about climate change by turning off their lights for "Earth Hour", an event created by the World Wildlife Fund.

Earth Hour was created by WWF in Sydney, Australia in 2007, and in one year has grown from an event in one city to a global movement. In 2008, millions of people, businesses, governments and civic organizations in nearly 200 cities around the globe will turn out for Earth Hour.

More than 100 cities across North America will participate, including Atlanta, Chicago, Phoenix and San Francisco and in Canada, Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.

Please join us in making this simplest of environmental statesments by turn off all of your household lights, inside and out, for one hour starting at 8 p.m. (your own local time) Here in Salem, Oregon, we will be turning out our lights and lighting a single candle, instead. A candle, a hope, a dream and a prayer that the 'light' will go on in more people, before all the lights go out, everywhere!

If you would like to officially be counted, sign up at: Earth Hour US - Earth Hour 2008
(http://www5.earthhourus.org/) and Learn about Earth Hour events around the world.

Community Quilting and the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative

In September of 2005, a devastating hurricane (Katrina) attacked the entire Gulf Coast. As the news media reported its effects, communities everywhere wondered what they might do to help.
Here in Salem, Oregon a call went out for community quilters...women who would be willing to sew and to quilt for just two days, and then send those quilts to survivors of the hurricane. 200 women made 200 quilts in just 2 days. Thirty of us decided that we wanted to keep on quilting and keep on donating...to any cause that needed quilts, for however long we could do it. About a dozen of that original group have been quilting, either at home, or in a downtown Salem church, ever since.

Just like hundreds of thousands of other quilters everywhere, I have continued to sew, to quilt, and to give away almost all that I make. It has been busy, challenging, productive and meaning-filled. When I pack up on Monday mornings, I have an assortment such as you see here. Some days, I add two more bags of supplies or hopefully, one with a finished quilt.

Since that day in 2005, quilts have been sent to Habitat for Humanity, inter-faith ministries, child abuse victims, domestic violence victims, AIDs babies, premature babies, cancer patients undergoing chemo-therapy, wounded soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative.

As seen above, these are the newest batch of purple ribbons that I have ready to mail to Ami Simms, the director of AAQI. They will be worn by those viewing the "Alzheimer's Forgetting Piece by Piece" nationwide traveling quilt show.

I made and passed around flyers telling others about the AAQI and asked each quilter to please write the name of someone she cared about who had Alzheimer's or a related dementia. I found that some could not think of names to write...then, suddenly they thought of several. Some didn't actually consider 'senility' as falling under the umbrella of Alzheimer's and related dementias...even though the person was under medical care and might not even recognize them any more.

I realized that denial is a powerful protective device. I also, realized how truly exhausting it is to care so much and try so hard for so many causes and individuals and groups can be overwhelmed with requests for help or even, quilts.

Last Monday, I faced the emotions of all of the names on even more purple ribbons. I am filled with so many heart felt feelings for the stories that I am reading and the desperate need for quilters and their quilts to comfort those battling cancer or to raise monies for groups to raise money for research on other diseases such as Alzheimer's.

My heart is full and I wish I could reach out and mail quilts all over America. I am so blessed to know so many of you who do this work and continue to reach out with your quilts...not just quilting as a hobby, or to enter quilt shows, but truly doing the work of your hearts and soul's and in the process sharing your love with others who so desperately want and need it.

All each of us can do, is continue to try to help, to listen, to respond to an email, to make our quilts and send them out with love. I am so grateful and feel so blessed to received beautiful e-mails from others who face life's trials and tribulations and are so grateful to know that others truly care and wish to help them...even if the helping is the donation of a handmade quilt.

So, today, I send out my newest batch of purple ribbons on behalf of Alzheimer's patients and I quilt for our wounded warriors, for children in need and for cancer patients everywhere.

shown:
quilting 'stash' in all its forms, ready to go....

links:
Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative
The Purple Patch Project
From The Heart of a Quilter
Comfort Quilts

The Piecemakers Quilting Group Of Henderson, Nevada

Charlie Gibson of the ABC Evening News has awarded "The Piecemakers" Quilting Group in Henderson, Nevada as the ABC News "Person of the Week".

This small group of quilters at the Central Christian Church in Henderson, Nevada (just outside of Las Vegas) has made and given away over 800 quilts from their quilting ministry to patients battling cancer. The small quilting group was originally begun by one of the quilters, the late Joyce Koonz, who was, herself, battling cancer. In spite of her own challenges, Joyce still wanted to reach out and support other cancer patients going through chemo-therapy.

She gathered together a group of quilters and they quickly taught others to cut, sew or quilt. The small initial group grew to include anyone willing to help, whether they thought they could sew or not. Group members all work together, some cutting, some sewing, some writing on Bible verses by hand onto the quilts and all coming together and offering up a prayer as a quilt is completed.

As group member Dorothy Fletcher says "The verses that are on the quilts we picked are to bring comfort, to bring peace and to bring hope."

Filled with beautiful and uplifting Bible verses amidst the nine patches, the split rails, and lots and lots of appliqued hearts, the handwritten words only seem to further echo the obvious handprints I could feel written on each quilter's heart.

Originally, the quilts went to members of the church, but now they go out to anyone who needs them. The ABC news team showed one woman receiving the gift of her lap quilt and caught the deep emotion such a gift created...as the tears streamed down her face. A quilt takes many, many weeks to make and the group is a small one, but they all work hard and quickly, with anyone helping in any way that they can.

As Dorothy Fletcher says"We just never know where these quilts are going to end up. It brings comfort to the person, sometimes to the survivors after their loved ones have passed on. And that's a double blessing."

It did my own heart such good just watching this news piece. I was so moved that I left my own on-line message at the news site. I was already the 170th person to do so...and it took me a while to sign up and sign in!

Having spent the last four years of my own life....sewing both at home and at a downtown Salem, Oregon church...endlessly making comfort quilts for others, it made me realize just how much it truly means to those who receive them. Almost as much as it means to those of us who are blessed in the making of them.

I have been amazed at the comments left both at the ABC website on this news story, and the e-mails that I have personally received. There are so many people who desperately want a quilt for a loved one battling cancer or who want to donate to this group in some way.

I can tell from the hundreds of comments that the story received that this little group must be absolutely overwhelmed by the requests. I have been happy to accept some of the e-mails that accidentally came to me because of this story and try to give suggestions on how to donate locally in their own cities or towns, or how to reach local quilting groups for a donation of a quilt.

Watching these quilt makers, this wonderful group of "Piecemakers" only reminded me of how this just might be the 'piece' we all seek.For the Henderson, Nevada group are truly "Peacemakers' in Quilting.

ABC link to Henderson, NV 'Piecemakers', see video of newsclip upper right: http://abcnews.go.com/WN/PersonOfWeek/story?id=4498593&page=1

Check out my own related links for our quilting group here in Salem, OR:
Salem (Quiltathon) Community Quilters
Patriotic Heartstrings Quilting Project

Comfort Quilts

Breast Cancer Awareness: Free Patterns for Quilts and Quilt Blocks

Laurel Burch: Free Quilt Patterns

"Art is a universal language, and through imagery that is understood and recognized by all people everywhere, I believe that we can share the grace of birds in flight, feel the warmth of friendships, explore the exquisite beauty and mysteries of the earth and savor the preciousness of life.

When I design and paint, I remember that it is you, my friends and kindred spirits all over the world, who have inspired me to speak in a common language. I wish to express my deepest gratitude for your appreciation of my art and for the opportunity this has provided me to live my life with courage, purpose, and joy. Thank you for all you are and for all we are to each other. - Laurel"

Laurel Burch passed a way on September 13, 2007. When I wrote a post on the news of her death, I wrote about what an amazing life she had led, how she had worked so hard, and lived a life filled with pain, yet she always saw the true value in giving back to others. I offered links (click on Laurel Burch link above) to three free Laurel Burch screensaver programs for free downloading.

Laurel Burch Free Pattern Downloads:


To see current free patterns and download them:
Fanciful Felines or
Fanciful Felines Free PDF download
Secret Jungle Wall Hanging Pattern
Mythical Horse Quilt Pattern: Free


Mermaid Free Pattern



OceanSongs



Felines Canines Quilt is Free


And please check out Laurel's beautiful website at:
http://www.laurelburch.com/
LaurelBurch.com Screen Savers

To see current fabric go here:

or here as shown below:

Laurel Burch Fabric Cottons	Celestial Dreams Has Arrived We are cutting orders as fast as possible
Laurel Burch Holiday Celebrations	Laurel Burch Fabric Bountiful Blessings
Laurel Burch Ocean Song Fabrics	Laurel Burch Mythical Horses Fabrics
Laurel Burch Basics	Laurel Burch Secret Jungle
Laurel Burch Basics Secret Jungle	Jungle Soul Laurel Burch Flannel Fabrics
Laurel Burch Fabric Fanciful Felines	Dancing Horses

Or check e-bay as sellers have bought out all that they can for resale.

Old links...may not work in the future:
Fanciful Felines, in two value contrasts of the same pattern
Laurel BurchView CollectionDownload Pattern (PDF)
Fanciful Felines Alternate Pattern
Download Alternate Pattern (PDF)
Laurel Burch Holiday
Download Pattern (PDF)
View Entire Collection By Clothworks Textiles
Mythical Horses
Download Pattern View Collection

Lest We Forget

Today marks the 5th anniversary of our military involvement in Iraq.
4,000 Americans killed.
29,000 Americans wounded.

shown:
A patriotic heartstrings quilt, hanging from a branch from our weeping willow tree.

Free "St. Patrick's Day" Quilt Blocks or Quilt Patterns

Free "Irish" quilt block patterns to download and print:
Broken Irish Chain a 10" pieced quilt block pattern from Quilter's Cache.
Celtic Sunrise - a 12" paper pieced quilt block pattern from Quilter's Cache
Double Irish Chain - a 12" pieced quilt block pattern from SewQuilty.
Four Leaf Clover - 10" applique quilt block pattern from CompuQuilt.
Irish Chain - an 18" pieced quilt block pattern from Quilter's Cache.
Irish Chain - from Sharon Hutlgren of EZ Quilt
Irish Eyes - a 12" pieced quilt block pattern from AZPatch.
Irish Shamrock - a 12" applique quilt block pattern from Quilting With A Passion
Irish Grandma Sue Boy Block from Quiltmaker.com
Latticed Irish Chain Block a 28" block from Quilter's Cache
Shamrock - a 3" paper pieced quilt block pattern from Quiltmaker Magazine.
Triple Irish Chain - a 22" pieced quilt block pattern from McCall's Quilting.
Yellow Clover a block design first published by Nancy Cabot for the Chicago Tribune. According to Barbara Brackman's Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns, Yellow Clover is one of hundreds of Cabot patterns sold by mail order during the 1930s.

Free "Irish" quilt patterns to download and print:
Irish Chain Quilt - a 54" x 66" pieced quilt pattern from EZQuilting
Scrappy Irish Chain Quilt - a 68-3/4" x 84-1/2" pieced quilt pattern from McCall's Quilting.
Single Irish Chain Quilt for Baby - alternates a 4 1/2" fussy cut w. Irish Chain from About.com
St. Patrick's Day Quilt
Mystery Quilt 7 - a quilted 24" x 24"wall hanging from the Quilting Passion website.
Trip To Ireland Quilt - a pieced quilt pattern from Simply Quilts.

shown:
Kermit on a String Quilt done in St. Patrick's fabrics

It's a (travel mug) wrap!

Having spent all day Saturday, working on four charity quilts for National Quilting Day, I was happy to give myself a few minutes of free sewing time...just for me.

I decided to make a quilted 'mug wrap' to dress-up a green Starbucks travel mug that I had won in a raffle. So with a 'little bit of luck' and some four leaf clover fabric I quickly made and quilted a mug wrap.


1. Using a corrugated disposal :( wrap as a pattern, and making mine a bit longer to best fit a variety of cups, I cut two pieces of fabric and one piece of thin fleece batting.  Quilt top fabric to piece of interfacing center fabric.


2. Right sides together, sew long sides together.Turn tube right side out.



3. Hem finish both ends and sew "hook and loop "closure tape to alternate side ends of band. Remember for a flat closure, the 'hooks' should be on the end of the top or right side of the fabric and the 'loops' on the back or the lining side. Check the fit before sewing down and add a second piece of 'loops' if need be, for additional sizing choices.


5. Add a quick coaster and it makes a nice gift with a travel mug. Or use it yourself... as I am...just in time, to take to my "Salem Community Quilters" group for St. Patrick's Day!
"It's a wrap!"

National Quilting Day

Join quilters around the world for the 17th Annual National Quilting Day on March 15, 2008. Whether you celebrate at home, sewing alone, with your quilting group, or having a virtual quilt-a-thon online, it is a wonderful time to remember the tradition of quilt making and all of the contributions that have been made through the heritage of this time honored tradition.

The NQD logo for 2008 is a block called "Eight Hands Around". In her block reference book, Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns, Barbara Brackman cites the first publication of the pattern in 1895 or earlier in the Ladies Art Company #149. The Ladies Art Company is considered the very first mail-order quilt pattern company.

NQA began sponsoring National Quilting Day with a resolution passed by members attending the 22nd Annual Show in Lincoln, Nebraska, in June 1991. The third Saturday in March was then officially designated as National Quilting Day. But over the years, observance of National Quilting Day has unofficially been expanded to the whole month of March!

As a special day long celebration, groups often select March 15 and work on a specific themed project. NQA selects their 2008 Special Project and calls it "Happy Birth Day, Baby!" This "Happy Birth Day, Baby!" project has become an annual tradition, and you're invited to extend that tradition to your community by donating a baby quilt for the first baby born on National Quilting Day in your local hospital. Some quilters even provide two quilts. making one for the first boy and one for the first girl.

Instructions are included for their pattern to make a 40" square "Eight Hands Around" baby quilt. Instructions are set up so they can be used as a group "mystery" service project quilt if desired. It's quick to make one for a boy and one for a girl, just by changing the border and center fabrics. Or, the center block would be a perfect place to show off your special appliqué or embroidery.

Please do check out the National Quilting Association website at their home page at: http://www.nqaquilts.org/index.html and let them know what your group did to celebrate the art of giving this year.

PDF baby quilt pattern supplied by the National Quilting Association
2008 Happy Birth Day, Baby!

March-ing On!

March: National Quilting Month
March 15: National Quilting Day
March 15 - Ides of March
March 16 - Palm Sunday
March 17 - St. Patrick's Day
March 20 - Sun in Aries
March 20 - Spring/Vernal Equinox 0 Aries
March 20 - Noruz, Persian New Year
March 20 - Purim
March 20 - Holy Thursday / Maudy Thursday
March 21 - Full Moon 1º Libra
March 21 - Good Friday
March 22 - World Water Day
March 29 - Earth Hour Day 8 p.m.-9 p.m.
March 23 - Easter Sunday

shown:
'wearing o' the green in my sewing room

National Quilting Month

March is considered National Quilting Month. As such, one Saturday in March in usually designated as National Quilting Day or National Charity Quilting Day. Internet searches have indicated that the specific date seems to vary. In the past groups have had quilt-a-thons on each of the Saturdays in March, but the majority seem to favor the third Saturday of the month.

In honor of the month, and celebrating my own version of Charity Quilting Day, I will be having a 'sew-in' on Saturday, March 15th, along with many other virtual quilt-a-thon members. For this event, and in honor of March as being National Quilting Month, I am working on 4 charity quilts at once. Two will go to wounded veteran projects, one to a "Hurricane Katrina FEMA Trailor Survivor" and one for our local hospital for the neo-natal unit.

Whatever the cause, the quilt, or the reason, it's a great time to fit a little sewing therapy into busy lives and remember others whose own lives are still more challenging than our own.
See: National Quilting Day for the history of the day, and a free pattern.

AAQI: Blogging With A Purpose

I feel deeply honored to be a part of the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative and so blessed to have Ami Simms, AAQI's founder and project developer, select one of my posts to be featured on the AAQI website.

To know that my post has touched the hearts of others means the world to me...and reinforces why and how I am both a part of this meaning filled project, and even why I choose to be an Internet blogger.

To be a part of something greater than myself, to reach out from my heart to others who share that heart, those dreams, a connected purpose and a similar journey...this is why I am part of the world wide community of Internet quilters and more importantly, the world of quilt bloggers.I believe it is why we all of join groups, why we seek others with our same interests and passions and why we all join forces to become stronger and more powerful than we might be alone.

I want to take this chance to remind all of you again, how important it truly is to volunteer in whatever capacity each of you is able or feels most comfortable. Please remember that March is National Quilting Month and many consider this Saturday, March 15 to be National Charity Quilting Day. I have always believed that there is nothing more important than reaching out and giving back to another for all of the many blessings each of us has in her own life. Please consider making either an Alzheimer's Priority Quilt, a Little Treasures Quilt or a monetary donation to AAQI. New quilts have just gone on auction. Check them out and place a bid now. Information is available on the sites listed below.

To view Ami's website and learn about AAQI click on :
Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative
Please check out The Priority Alzheimer's Project for learning how you might make a small quilt donation of your own.
And for information on the purple patches shown above, check out The Purple Patch Project and to read my post that Ami published on her website, click on: From The Heart of a Quilter

Make a Sewing Machine Pad With Pockets

March is National Quilting Month and as such it is a wonderful opportunity to focus on the art of sewing and quilting and their use in our lives and in the lives we touch with our love of these arts.

As part of this focus, I have been working on getting re-acquainting with my new Viking Sapphire 870 Quilt, and learning to use its abilities along with my own. Wanting to keep her happy and healthy, I decided to create a few new accessories to make our mutual sewing experience more enjoyable.

Searching online for a pattern for a sewing machine mat with pockets and other accessories, I found limited patterns available. So, I decided to just design and create my own!


1. Using basic supplies and fabric from stash, meant to co-ordinate with the variety of colors and fabrics already present in my sewing room, I used graphing paper to draw a simple design based on the extended length of my sewing machine. A Sapphire 870 has a 10" throat which is a great sewing space for machine quilting. But this same pattern will also work on a smaller machine...you'll just have more of the mat showing on the sides, than I do, here.

2. Measuring the length of my machine and deciding how long I wanted the pocketed area to drop down, I determined that I needed it long enough to hold small scissors and ruler, but not so long as to interfere with my lap or legs as I sewed. I also decided to add on simple pockets with just enough room to slip in sewing accessories, without their being too bulky or deep.

3. The design is simply a front fabric, a piece of batting and a backing fabric, all shown here. The pocket trim piece is made ahead of time and pinned to the right outside of the front fabric.
This is like creating a place mat with the pocket trim section already attached to the right side. At the above right, you can see the trim piece that I also added as a decorative touch. Once this end is folded up and to the right side, you will be creating the actual 'pockets'.The layers are sandwiched together, right sides together for sewing closed...with a space left open for turning right side out.

4. After flipping to the right side, edge stitch around finished unit.

5. The finished unit becomes self-explanatory. The larger unit, the placemat shape, if you will, is simply folded up and to the right side, now showing the back fabric. This fold creates a simple way of creating pockets. Notice how it is just like a place mat with a flipped over pocket unit at the front bottom. At this point, sew stitching lines from folded over section (trimmed edge shown here) on down...to created the pocketed sections...stitching lines for sizing width of pockets as desired.

6. The back of this sewing machine pad has an added tie stitched on. I open this bow and use it to tie around the rolled up piece, when I need to transport it to sewing group. The rolling up keeps all of the accessories neatly in place and the tie secures them there. I have transported it several times now to my community quilting group and it has worked nicely!

It's far easier to make a mat like this than it is to explain how to make one! Draw yourself a simple pattern and the explanations will be much clearer as you experiment. Now that I actually made myself one, I wish I had done it years ago. I just absolutely love having it!

Add a snippet bag for thread and fabric scraps as I have here (mine also protects my sewing machine cords from damage and from view)and you have custom made sewing accessories, that are both fun and incredibly useful!