Need a Last-Minute Gift or Stocking Stuffer? “Check” it Out!

Need a last-minute Secret Santa or gift-exchange goodie for that party tonight? Stumped for a little “something” to present your holiday hostess? Searching for just one more “stuffer” for that special stocking? Here’s a quick and clever solution to all of the above: a smart and stylish checkbook cover! It’s an easy variation on the iPad case from my November 23 post; one that you can probably whip up in an hour or less.

The finshed cover as shown measures approximately 7″ x 3 1/2″…perfect for a standard book of personal checks

What You’ll Need:

Cotton batting, fusible web, lining fabric: one 7″ x 13″ piece each

Fusible web, outer (front) fabric: one 9″ x 15″ piece each

Fabric and fusible-web scraps, decorative threads, beads, buttons, trims, and other embellishments as desired

Directions:

1. Fuse lining fabric, right side up, to batting using the 7″ x 13″ piece of fusible web.

2.  Apply 9″ x 15″ piece of fusible web to wrong side of outer fabric.

Left: cover fabric and fusible – 9″ x 15″; right: batting, fusible, and lining fabric – 7″ x 13″

3. Center prepared batting, lining side up, over fusible-web side of prepared outer fabric. Starting with the two long sides, turn outer fabric to the lining; press to fuse. Repeat for both short sides, squaring the corners; press. Clip excess fabric at corners on the diagonal.

4. Fold unit in half, lining sides together; press. Unfold, and then fold both ends of the unit inward to about 3/4″ from the center fold; press.

5. Unfold.  Quilt and embellish as desired. The second area from the bottom will be the front cover. (Note: If your intended embellishments include raised items–such as buttons–close to the side and/or bottom seams, you might prefer to add those after completing the next step.)

6. Refold the two “flaps” back toward the center, lining sides together. Starting with a few backstitches, topstitch a 1/8″ – 3/16″ seam all around the perimeter of the unit.  Finish with a few backstitches.

7. Insert your check register in the top pocket and your checks in the bottom. Finished!

Honestly, making these little cuties is addicting! Once I had completed the pink and green version up top for a gift exchange, and finished up the step-by-step sample for this post, I found myself thinking…hmmmm…who else?

My British friend and co-author Chris Porter loves the stagecoach- and covered-wagon checks that she selected for her American bank account, so I dug into my stash, and made this coordinating cover. (I just knew I’d find a good use for that boot button one day!)

My childhood friend Christy, whom I wrote about in my June 15 post, loves cats, so I made this to tuck into her holiday card this year.

My sisters Loretta (left) and Charlie (right), circa 1961. I’m sure they’ll be THRILLED to see this photo 😉

After verifying their favorite colors, I went to work.

A purple cover for Ret; a green one for Charlie

Then, of course, I needed one for myself as well…