Thread Catcher Tutorial

 

I’m obsessed with two things right now.

First: quick sewing projects I can finish in an evening or weekend afternoon. And secondly: organizing my sewing and all my supplies, fabrics, and sewing workflow.

This little project – a thread catcher bag, addresses both those areas!

I don’t know about you but I’m constantly making little piles of thread pieces and other little clipping by or near my sewing machine as I’m working on a project. Sooner or later, a small breeze, the cat, or the swipe of a piece of fabric sweeps them all onto the floor. With this quick little project, all these little pieces are contained. And you can even use the weighted piece as a pin cushion!

Here’s What You Will Need:

This is a great scrap buster because it requires a few smaller pieces of fabric. You’ll need:

• two pieces of each of the following listed below
• two pieces of any low loft batting the same size as your bag exterior
• a small handful of craft stuffing
• uncooked rice or beans that will be used to fill your weighted piece.

Make the Connector

To start, place your two connector pieces right sides together and sew with a 1/4 inch seam around all four edges, leaving a 2 inch section open. Using that opening, turn this piece right side out, push out of the corners with a pencil or the tip of a sharp object. Iron to press out seams.

Add The Weighted Piece

Next take the fabric pieces you will use for your weighted section and place right sides together. In-between these two pieces, sandwich your connector piece so it is centred along one of the 5 1/2 inch sides. Pin in place and tuck the other side of the connect piece into the middle of sandwich so it doesn’t get sewn over when you get to the other side. 

Sew along all four sides of your weighted section except to leave a two inch opening. Use this opening to turn this piece right side out. Push out corners.

Add the Fillings

Using a small amount of craft stuffing, push it into your weighted piece through the opening. You need just enough to give it a soft feel to the outside. Next fill your weighted piece with as much rice or beans as you can stuff in this section and still close without it bursting at the seams. Hand sew the opening closed using a blind stitch.

Building the Bag

Take the exterior pieces of the bag and place right sides together. Line up a piece of batting on each of the wrong sides of the exterior fabric. Sew around three sides of this section leaving the top open.

Take the interior pieces of the bag and place right sides together. Sew around three sides of this section leaving the top open.

Make a box finish for your bag using your favourite technique. I pinch the bottom corners on each of the exterior and interior pieces, so the seam lines up on both sides. Draw a line across the fabric 1 1/2 inches from the point. Sew across this line and trim. Do this for both of the bottom corners of the exterior and interior pieces.

Turn the interior section of the bag right side out. Place this into the exterior piece so that your fabrics are right sides together. Pin the top edge in place being careful to line up the side seams.

Sew around the top but leave a 3 inch opening. Turn your bag right side out through the opening. Using an iron press the top seam flat.

Top stitch around the top of your bag.

Putting the Pieces Together

Turn down the top of the bag to create a one inch cuff.

Take your weighted section and position it in the centre of the cuff on back side of your bag.

Sew along the top of the bag horizontally to secure the connector strap. Sew along the bottom edge of the connector strap to secure.

Your thread catcher bag is done and ready to keep your sewing area free of thread pieces and little bits of fabric!

I love little sewing helpers like this! What are your favourite tips for keeping your sewing area tidy and organized?