2 shorter strips rough cut about 6" X 2” & 2 shorter strips rough cut about 6" X 4”
2 long strips rough cut about 10" X 2”
Rough cut means cut off a piece of fabric without measuring. You do need to have reasonably straight edges but don't go to the trouble of cutting a perfectly shaped piece because you are going to cut it down later.
Tip: Everyone uses a slightly differant seam allowance so to get the right fit you need to use your pieced top as a guide to the size needed for the backing and pockets etc. instead of a preset measurement.
First place the strips on a cutting mat and a ruler cut a straight edge on one side.
Next lay the blocks in rows according to the picture above. Start with the 9 patch in the middle. Sew the blocks in rows and the sew the rows together until you have a 9 patch pieced quilt block for the center. Place your pieced top on a cutting mat and with a ruler trim it even - being careful to keep a 1/4" seam allowance.
Now using the 6" x 2" strips sew one on the left side and one onto the right side matching a staight edge to the edge of the 9 patch block. Open the seams and iron. I like to iron the seam open but that's up to you. Trim the strips even with the center 9 patch.
Now continue on to the triangles on the sides. Sew them together in the same order as shown above in a row of three from the top to bottom. After trimming these if needed sew them onto the strips on each side of the center block. Be careful that they are in the right order. Make sure you have the colors in the right places.
Next sew the other 2 short strips to each side. Trim the ends even with the rest. And then sew the long strips to the top and bottom edges. Do not trim these until you have all four sides added to the pieced top.
Now place your pieced top on a cutting mat and lay a ruler over it. Your ruler should be larger than the top but not too large or it will be hard to work with. If you want your top to measure 4 1/2" x 7 1/2" ( my prefered size) -center lines on the ruler with the center of the 9 patch center quilt block and check to see how far from the seam (that attaches the border) you need to cut to get the size you want. Trim all four borders the same size. If you cut the first one 3/4" then cut the other three the same. You need to make sure you have on each side at least 1" extra beyond the actual size of the plastic checkbook cover the bank gives you.
Cutting the fabric for the back / liner / & pockets
Tip: Everyone uses a slightly differant seam allowance so to get the right fit you need to use your pieced top as a guide to the size needed for the backing and pockets etc. instead of a preset measurement.
Lay the pieced top face down onto the backing fabric. Pin it in place and with a ruler use the edge of the top as a guide to trim the back to the same size as the top.Leave a little extra length on one long side. Sew a seam on one long side. Open and iron. Pin this combined fabric(pieced top & back fabric) face down onto the inside fabric. Trim this fabric to match the combined fabric--leaving the plain fabric end untrimmed. After you have trimmed the three sides fold the piece over and determine how much leeway you want in the fold of the checkbook cover.
For the pockets: cut 2 pieces of fabric 8" x 8". Fold them in half and iron. You can baste the long side closed on each pocket. Unpin the pieced top side of the combined fabrics. Baste the pocket to the end of the inside liner fabric. Let the ends hang over on each end. Repin the pieced top back into place. Unpin the other end and place the other pocket on the inside liner. Space the pocket evenly from the other pocket. You want to leave about 1/2" - 3/4" space between the pockets. Pin in place and trim the liner to match the pocket.
Baste the pocket onto the liner. Repin the back fabric in place and trim the backing even with the pocket. Starting on the plain fabric end sew around the cover until you get back to where you started. Leave a 2" opening to turn the cover with. Put your hand into the cover - grasp the inside end and pull it through the opening --use the other hand to push the fabric. Once you have it started through you should be able to work the fabric through until it is all turned right side out. Using your turning tool or a small scissors carefully poke out the corners.
Straighten and iron the cover. Make sure the opening is turned in and sew around the edge of the cover to finish it. This should also close the opening.
You can spay with sizing to give the cover a stiffer look and /or you can spray it with
Scotch Guard fabric protector to keep it clean longer.
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