AUGUST
Wish You Were Here
PIECED BY Tacha Bruecher FINISHED SIZE of paper-pieced block (including both suitcases): 12˝ × 12˝
August is typically the summer holidays in most European countries. Customize the suitcases to reflect where you’ve been—perhaps on honeymoon, a favorite vacation, or somewhere you are dreaming of visiting.
Materials and Supplies
CD content is available to download from http://tinyurl.com/11026-patterns.
•Blue crossweave fabric: 1 fat eighth for suitcase 1
•Red crossweave fabric: 1 fat eighth for suitcase 2
•Mustard print fabric: 1 fat quarter for background of suitcase 1 and lid of suitcase 2
•Blue print fabric: 1 fat eighth for background of suitcase 2
•Red print fabric: 2½˝ × 10˝ for suitcase lid 1
•White solid fabric: 1½˝ × 12½˝ for center strip
•Assorted scraps for suitcase closures, handles, and corners
•Fabric paint
•Scraps for embellishing: luggage tags and stickers
•Fusible webbing scraps to add embellishments
•Stamps and ink pad (such as VersaCraft) or fine permanent pen (such as Pigma Micron) for letters
Cutting
MUSTARD PRINT BACKGROUND
•2 strips 2½˝ × 5˝
•2 strips 1½˝ × 12½˝
BLUE PRINT BACKGROUND
•2 strips 2½˝ × 5˝
•2 strips 1½˝ × 12½˝
INSTRUCTIONS
All seam allowances are ¼˝.
Assemble the Block
1. Make 2 copies of the suitcase foundation (page CD45). Assemble all sections. Sew the sections together. Trim each suitcase block to 5˝ × 8¾˝.
2. Sew a 2½˝ × 5˝ strip to the left and right and a 1˝ × 12½˝ strip to the top and bottom. Trim each suitcase block to 6˝ × 12½˝.
3. Stamp a holiday saying on the white strip of fabric, such as “Wish you were here!” or “We’re all going on a summer holiday!”
4. Sew the white strip between the two suitcase blocks.
5. Use scraps to embellish the suitcases. Cut out label shapes from scraps and adhere these to the block using fusible webbing. Be creative and make some luggage stickers for your suitcases. Use fabric paint to draw flags of the countries you have visited or want to visit. Or add a little embroidery.
Packed and Ready to Go
TRAVEL POUCH
MADE BY Tacha Bruecher • FINISHED SIZE: 4¼˝ × 8˝
No holiday is complete without sunglasses. In fact, to make sure you don’t forget to pack your pair of sunglasses, why not make them a suitcase of their own? The suitcase block is perfect for fussy cutting and personalizing to suit your style.
Materials and Supplies
CD content is available to download from http://tinyurl.com/11026-patterns.
•Gray print fabric: 10˝ square for main part of suitcase
•Blue dot fabric: 1 fat eighth for background of suitcase
•Fussy text fabric: scrap at least 2½˝ × 10˝ for top of suitcase
•Assorted scraps for suitcase handles, closures, corners, stickers, and tags
•Chevron print fabric: scrap for back
•Text print fabric: 1 fat eighth for lining
•Green text fabric: scraps for flexible pouch clasp
•Fusible lightweight interfacing: 1 fat eighth
•4˝ flex frame closure
•Pliers for flex frame pin
Cutting
BLUE DOT FABRIC
•2 strips 1¼˝ × 87⁄8˝
CHEVRON PRINT FABRIC
•1 rectangle 4¾˝ × 8½˝
TEXT PRINT FABRIC
•2 rectangles 4¾˝ × 8½˝
GREEN TEXT FABRIC
•2 rectangles 2˝ × 5¼˝
FUSIBLE LIGHTWEIGHT INTERFACING
•2 rectangles 4¾˝ × 8½˝
INSTRUCTIONS
All seam allowances are ¼˝.
Assemble the Block
1. Assemble the suitcase block following the August block instructions (page 65).
2. Add blue dot strips 1¼˝ × 87⁄8˝ to the top and bottom. Trim the block to 4¾˝ × 8½˝.
Assemble the Pouch
1. Remove the paper foundation. Apply the interfacing to the wrong side of the front and back.
2. Sew a ¼˝ double hem on both short ends of the green text pieces; topstitch. The green pieces should now measure 2˝ × 4¼˝.
3. Center the green pieces on top of the lining pieces, right sides facing, and sew. There should be a ¼˝ gap on both ends.
4. Center the opposite sides of the green pieces on top of the front and back pieces and sew in place. There should be a ¼˝ gap on both ends.
5. Pin the front to the back, right sides facing, and sew along the bottom and sides.
6. Pin the lining front to the lining back, right sides facing, and sew along all edges, leaving a gap in the bottom for turning. Remove the foundation.
7. Turn the pouch right side out. Press so that the green top pieces are folded in half. Stitch the opening in the bottom of the lining closed.
8. Topstitch all the way around the top of the pouch, just under the green text top pieces, to form a casing for the flex frame closure.
9. Insert the flex frame closure through the casing.
