Strip-Pieced Rotary Cutter Case

Strip-Pieced Rotary Cutter Case

By Arlene Poltrack

Finished Size: 3 ½" x 6 ½"

Supplies Needed

For Dyeing

• Rit Liquid Dye: Purple, Lemon Yellow, Tangerine, Aquamarine, Petal Pink, & Evening Blue
• 6 Fat quarters (18" x 22") white cotton broadcloth PFD (prepared for dyeing)
• Measuring cup & measuring spoons
• 8-Cup glass bowl or container
• Stirring spoon for dye
• Rubber bands
• Rubber gloves
• Paper towels
• Plastic wrap
• Plastic table cover

For Sewing

• Rotary cutter, cutting mat and ruler
• Coordinating thread
• Scissors
• Straight pins
• Hand needle
• Sewing machine
• Chopstick

Instructions

Dyeing Fat Quarters (Repeat for each color)

1. Cover work surface with plastic table cover.
2. Cut white cotton broadcloth fabric into 18"x 22" pieces. If fabric is "prepared for dyeing" then it is not necessary to prewash it.
3. Starting at one corner, crumble up fabric into a loose ball. Wrap loosely with rubber bands to keep fabric crumbled.
4. Wet fabric in warm water.
5. Prepare dye bath: Wearing rubber gloves, measure 1 teaspoon powdered dye or ½ teaspoon liquid dye into 8-cup glass bowl. Add 6 cups very hot tap water; stir well.
   Note: Test dye color by dipping a swatch of fabric in dye solution. If color is too light, add more dye; if color is too dark, add more water.
6. Immerse wet fabric in dye solution. Push down with a spoon. Cover glass bowl with plastic wrap.
7. Line bottom of microwave with paper towels to protect against spills. Place container in microwave and set on high for 2 minutes.
8. Remove plastic wrap and rubber bands from fabric. Rinse in cool water until water runs clear. Wash in warm water with mild detergent, rinse and dry.

Cutting Fabric for Rotary Cutter Case Using a rotary cutter, cutting mat and ruler, cut the following strips:

• Evening Blue: 1 ¼" x 8"
• Lemon Yellow: 2" x 8"
• Tangerine: 1 ½" x 8"
• Aquamarine: 1 ¼" x 8"
• Petal Pink: 2" x 8"
• Purple: 1 ½" x 8"
• Lining: 7" long x 8" wide from Petal Pink fabric

Sewing Instructions

Note: Use ¼" seam allowances.

1. Lay out the cut strips in the rotation shown or as listed above. Stitch strips, right sides together. Press seams in one direction.
2. Stitch Petal Pink lining piece to Evening Blue end of pieced strips. Press seam allowances flat.
3. Fold pieced section and lining lengthwise, right sides together, and pin. Machine stitch around pinned edges. Leave 3" opening in lengthwise section of lining for turning case right sides to the outside.
4. Turn case right sides out through opening. Hand sew opening closed using a blind stitch.
5. Use a chopstick to push lining inside of case.