Quilted Scissors Holder Tutorial

The inspiration for my quilted scissors holder came directly from Vicky's Fabric Creations Folded Fabric Scissor Holder Tutorial. Vicky's clever scissors holder features a custom monogram on the front, and is made from two pieces of fabric.

This version of the scissors holder features two layers of fabric quilted with thin batting, making it perfect for storing and protecting your favorite scissors or sewing tools. It's so super easy to make, you'll want to stitch one to gift to everyone you know who loves to sew.

Supplies:
1 81/2" x 11" plain piece of paper
Ruler
Pencil
Paper or craft scissors
Sewing machine with walking foot
Rotary cutter, mat, and clear acrylic ruler
Two fat quarters of fabric (one for each side of the scissor/tool holder)
One scrap of cotton batting 10" x 12"
Matching threads
Iron and ironing board

First, make the pattern for the scissor holder.

Grab the piece of paper, ruler, pencil, and paper/craft scissors.

Begin by folding the bottom edge of the paper over to meet the left edge, resulting in a triangle. Crease the folded edge well.

Fold the creased edge again over to meet the left edge of the paper - and it will almost look like you're making a paper airplane. Crease the folded edge well.

Open the folded piece of paper like so.

Using the ruler and pencil, mark a line on each of the folds. Next, number each section made by the folds starting with number 1 at the top left of the page, moving to the right. There will be 4 numbered sections.

Now take section #1 and fold it over to meet the line between section #2 and #3.

Take sections #3 and #4, and fold them across the folded section #1.

And finally, take section #4 and fold it back along the crease - and you will see the pattern start to take shape.

Fold the pointed end of the pattern over to meet the top edge of section #4, just like in the photo above. Crease the fold well.

Open the folded end, and cut along the crease with the paper/craft scissors.

Open the folds, and there you have your pattern for the scissors holder.

The very last step in making the pattern is to mark about a 3 1/2" opening along the left edge of section #1. This opening is used to turn the scissors holder right side out.

Great, you've got your pattern all ready to go! A few quick tips before we move on to sewing.

• When grabbing fabrics to use for the scissors holder, try to find two fabrics that really contrast against each other. This will make the different sections of the scissors holder really pop when the project is completed. Think different colors or complementary colors, one big print and one small print, one light or one dark, etc.
• Try to use a medium to lightweight cotton for this project. Home dec weight fabrics or similar (like denim or canvas) will make it nearly impossible to sew through the many folded layers.
• Use a thinner batting for this project - I used regular Warm and Natural with great results. Stuff that's thicker will make it too difficult to sew through multiple layers.

Let's sew the scissors holder.

Place the two pieces of fabric for the holder right sides together, and pin your pattern piece on top. Using a rotary cutter and ruler, add 1/4" to the outside of the pattern when cutting (for the seam allowance).

After cutting the fabric, roughly cut the batting scrap to fit - we'll trim it down after stitching. Pin together through all layers, making sure to leave open the space marked on the pattern for turning. Stitch with a 1/4" seam allowance from the edge of the fabric, pivoting at the corners. Use a walking foot if you have one (the walking foot will help move the layers through the sewing machine to prevent bunching up or puckering).

After stitching, cut the batting even with the fabric edges. Clip all corners and notch the pivots of the inside curved stitching as pictured above.

At the opening, grab between the two pieces of fabrics, and turn the scissors holder right side out. Use a point turner or chopstick to gently push out the corners. Press flat, turning the opening under 1/4".

Next, quilt as desired. You can do any quilting design you choose! I used my walking foot to do some straight lines.

Make sure you quilt a few stitches over the opening, which will eventually be stitched to the inside of the scissors holder, hidden from view.

Next, find your paper pattern again, and line up the quilted scissors holder right on top of the pattern.

Use the pencil line between section #1 and #2 as a guide to fold over section #1 as show. Press well. Then press again - press the heck out of it!

Line the scissors holder back up with the pattern again, and use the pencil line between section #2 and #3 as a guide to fold over as shown. Press, press, press, and press again.

Fold the last remaining section back over the top, and you will see the scissors holder finally take shape. Press. Press again. Press from the back, too!

Open the pressed scissors holder up, and stitch section #1 down at the very edge of section #2 still using the walking foot. 

Now flip the whole thing over, and stitch section #4 down to section #3 at the very outside edge with the walking foot.

Fold the scissors holder back together, and you will see there's only one seam left to sew along the left hand edge and bottom. I stitched close to the very edge using the walking foot.

If you are having issues with your sewing machine handling all of these layers, then you may want to hand stitch the side seam, and add a few strong tacking stitches to the bottom edges to make sure the bottom of the pockets stay closed.

The finished holder will easily fit three pairs of scissors! But I've found that I like to also add a few of my most-used tools to the holder as well as the pairs of scissors I can't live without. That's a small pair of thread snips, a chopstick, a large pair of dressmaking shears, a sewing gauge, and a vintage tool that doubles as both a crochet hook and bodkin.

And it all fits quite nicely!