How to make the shears case
Make a paper pattern
Measure the length of your shears on a piece of paper. Mark this length with lines AB and CD. Then draw a vertical line between these two lines by placing a ruler on the lines as shown.
Measure the width of the shears by placing them on the vertical line so that the intersection of the handles and the points of the shears rest on the line.
Measure across the widest part of the handles. (Ask your leader to help you read the ruler.) Label points E and G. Also measure the width ½ inch from the point of the shears. Label these two points as F and H.
Make a pattern for the pocket by drawing lines with your ruler, from point E to F and G to H. Extend these lines to the full length of the shears.
Mark the fabric; follow the illustration
Use your ruler to measure and mark your fabric. It is most important that you are careful to measure accurately and mark very straight lines. Use tailor’s chalk or tailor’s pencil for marking. Then ask your leader to check your material and your markings. They must be perfectly marked to prevent trouble when you sew the case together later.
Cut the fabric
Since cutting material, especially heavy material like felt or nonwoven interfacing, is different than cutting paper, practice on some scraps of material before you cut the fabric for the case. You will have the best cut edge if you open the shears wide and take long even strokes in cutting. Do not close the points of the shears until you reach the end of the pattern or the material. Cut the piece of fabric along the marked lines.
ALWAYS HOLD AND CUT MATERIAL ON THE TABLE
Mark the hem on section A
A hem (material folded back on itself) is needed on the top edge of Section A to make the top strong enough so it will not tear when the shears are slipped into the pocket.
Measure ½ inch from the top edge of section A. Mark with pins. Then fold the edge down so the pins lie on the outside of the fold. Press a fold along the pins. Ask your leader to show you how to press with a steam iron or a pressing cloth.
You have learned to stitch straight by following a line. When you stitch this hem your presser foot not the needle will follow a line. Place your material under the presser foot with the cut edge touching the inside edge of the toe of the presser foot. Your leader will show you how this is done.
Fold Use 8 Stitches per inch Outside edge of toe runs along cut edge
You may want to practice before stitching the hem into this part of your shears case. Look back to [page 10] if you have forgotten how to start and end a line of stitching.
Shape the flap of section B
In order to neatly fold the top of section B over the shears, and also to make the shears case more interesting, cut the flap as shown above.
Measure ½ inch from the sides of fabric piece B—points a and b. Then measure 2 inches from the top of section B—points c and d.
Using a ruler, draw a straight line between points a and c and points b and d. Cut along a-c and b-d with long, even strokes.
Mark the pocket on section A
Fold section A in half. Carefully put pins into the fold to mark the center. Fold the pocket pattern, which you cut earlier, in half. Place the center crease of the pocket pattern on the pins marking the center of section A.
The top edge of the pattern should be even with hemline (folded edge) of section A.
Open the pocket pattern and pin it in place. Measure the distance between the paper pattern and the outer edge of section A at the top and bottom of the pattern.
Trace around the pattern with tailor’s chalk or your tailor’s pencil. Keep the chalk line very sharp, because you will be using it as a guide for stitching the pocket.
Get the pocket ready to stitch
To make the pocket, you will be stitching section A and section B together. Since two thicknesses of fabric are more bulky than a single thickness, it will be necessary to learn how to pin them together so they will not slip when you are stitching them.
Place section A over section B with cut edges of lower corners and side edges matching. The hem should be folded to the inside and chalk markings to the outside.
Pin the two pieces together with the points of the pins directed to the side edges of the case.
Machine stitch the pocket
Adjust the stitch regulator to 8 stitches per inch. Lower the needle on the stitched hemline of section A. Lower the presser foot after the threads have been drawn between the toes to the back of the machine.
Backstitch until the needle pierces folded edge, or knot the thread according to directions on [page 21]. Then adjust the stitch regulator to forward motion.
Stitch following the line you have marked, stitching on it as much as possible. Apply little pressure onto the knee lever or foot pedal so the machine will not move too fast.
When you reach the point of the pocket, lower the needle into the point of material, raise the presser foot, turn the material around, lower the presser foot again, and stitch to the next point. The presser foot needs to be raised and lowered in this manner each time you want to turn a corner.
Stitch to the fold of the hem. When you reach the fold, backstitch to the stitching line of the hem.
With your small scissors clip the threads close to the stitching line.
Sew sections A and B together
The side seams of the case must still be stitched together. This is done on the outside of the case.
Place your shears case under the presser foot so that the cut edges are even with the outside of the narrow toe. Start stitching in the hem of section A.
When you reach each corner remember to turn your wheel by hand so the needle goes into the material at the exact turning point. Turn corner as you learned on [page 16]. Do not try to use the electricity when reaching or turning corners until you know how to use the machine as easily and as accurately as your mother or leader.
After you have stitched around the entire case, sew over the first stitches you made in the hem.
Clip the threads short. (Are you remembering to put the clipped threads into the paper bag fastened to your machine?)
Change the top of section B into a flap
In order to keep the upper part of section B in a folded position so it will keep the shears in the pocket, you need to add one more row of stitching.
Slip the shears into the pocket of the case. Then turn section B down over the shears to find the best place to fold the flap. Mark the fold with a pin.
Remove the shears and fold the flap on the empty case. Measure the distance from the fold to the cut edge in several places, to be sure it is folded evenly. Then press the fold lightly and pin into position.
Machine stitch ⅛ inch from the fold of the flap, backstitching up to the stitching line, and then moving forward.
Clip your threads closely, remove pins, and you have completed your first project!