Fabric covered Lever Arch File

I always find it difficult to find the perfect gift for teenagers.

Inspired by this project when it was featured on Sewing Quarter I have made a version for my friend’s daughter’s 16th birthday.

I used a pack of fat quarters from New Threads Quilt Shop plus some fusible wadding and a length of plain White polyester cotton from my stash. I had previously purchased a kit for a similar project featuring gardening print fabric, so had the instructions to hand. I also watched the you tube video (Sewing Quarter 7th February 2018) to clarify a couple of points of which I was unsure. If you want to make this project, be aware that the seam allowance is ¼ inch which I could not find mentioned anywhere in the instructions.

   

The construction went easily enough as I made a strip of patchwork pieces from 5 of my different prints, fused the wadding and worked a few rows of quilting. The only slight confusion arose when I was folding the ends of the work to make the flaps at each end into which the file is slipped. I especially liked the glitter clear plastic vinyl that is used for the label pocket on the spine.

I hope to purchase an eyelets kit as I plan to make the coordinating inserts using eyelets to place the envelope pocket and zip pocket into the file. The gift has to be completed by Wednesday so tomorrow I shall be on the lookout for eyelets!