Art Folio Tutorial Using the Dragonfly Lake Quilt Pattern
The Dragonfly Lake quilt pattern is here! And to celebrate, we’re bringing you the most adorable tutorial. Follow along with our art folio tutorial using the adorable critters from the new Dragonfly Lake Quilt Pattern!
We shrunk the butterfly and dragonfly blocks from the new Dragonfly Lake quilt pattern down to 12" finished for the outside of the folio, making it perfect to hold 8 1/2" x 11" copy paper. And we’ve also added pen holders and the cutest little zipper pocket to the inside of the folio. So it has lots of storage for taking any kid’s drawing projects on the go.
The finished art folio is approximately 12 1/2" x 12" when folded in half. Perfect for little hands! Now keep reading our art folio tutorial to make your own — it’s your new favorite weekend project!
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Art Folio Tutorial Materials
- Dragonfly Lake quilt pattern
- 50wt thread (try out Suzy's Wildflower thread collection for Aurifil!)
- 8wt thread (optional, this tutorial uses Suzy's Evolve 8wt thread collection for Aurifil)
- Rotary cutter
- Disappearing ink pen
- Ruler
- Basting spray or pins
- Basting clips
- Fabric scissors
- Point turner or chopstick
- Zipper foot
- Basic sewing supplies
Art Folio Tutorial Fabric Requirements
- Color 1: 1 - half yard
- Color 2: 1 - fat eighth
- Color 3: 1 - fat eighth
- Background: 2/3 yard
- Soft and Stable: 1 - 13" x 26" piece
- Lightweight Fusible Stabilizer (such SF101): 1 - 20" x 25" piece
- Vinyl zipper tape with pull: 1 - 5 1/2" length (Note: metal zippers are not recommended for this project)
- Sew-on hook and loop tape: 1-2" piece of 3/4" tape
Step 1: Pick the Fabric
This art folio tutorial uses the following Suzy Quilts fabrics, including her upcoming Slow Summer fabric collection! Check back on April 9 to see the Slow Summer lookbook and get inspired by this whimsical collection.
- Marble Glacier from Suzy’s Slow Summer collection for the butterfly and dragonfly wings and the inner folio pockets.
- Cerulean from the Suzy Quilts Signature PURE Solids collection for the second dragonfly wing color and the folio handles.
- Queen Bee from the Suzy Quilts Signature PURE Solids collection for the insect bodies.
- Shells Pearl from Suzy’s Slow Summer collection for the background.
A great tip for selecting fabric for the Dragonfly Lake blocks is to make sure that the insect bodies and wings have enough contrast with the background. Because you want to make sure that those cute little bugs pop!
Trending patterns!
The new Slow Summer fabric collection by Suzy Quilts for Art Gallery Fabrics. Photo by Lydia Nicholson.
Step 2: Cut the Fabric
Note that the cut fabric listed below is used in the Dragonfly Lake quilt blocks unless otherwise noted. Each piece of fabric for the blocks has a letter in front of it that coincides with the instructions in the quilt pattern. Because this quilt block has been reduced, follow these cutting instructions instead of the cutting instructions in the pattern.
The cut fabric that is used to create the art folio is also labeled below with where it goes on the folio. Additionally, it is helpful to label the fabric as you cut to ensure nothing gets mixed up.
Color 1:
- a: 1 – 7" square
- b: 2 – 4" squares
- Zipper top: 1 - 1 1/2" x 6 1/2" rectangle
- Zipper bottom: 1 - 6 1/2" x 6" rectangle
- Side zipper tabs: 2 - 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rectangles
- Pen slip pockets: 1 - 7 1/2" x 6 1/2" rectangle
- Paper slip pocket: 1 - 7 1/2" x 12 1/2" rectangle
- Backing for art folio pockets: 1 - 12 1/2" x 14 1/2" rectangle
Color 2:
- b: 2 - 4" squares
- Straps: 2 - 4" x 13" rectangles
Color 3:
- d: 10 - 2" squares
Background fabric:
- a: 1 - 7" square
- c: 2 - 4" squares
- e: 10 - 2" squares
- f: 7 - 3 1/2" squares
- g: 3 - 6 1/2" x 3 1/2" rectangles
- Art folio spine: 1 - 1 1/2" x 12 1/2" rectangle
- Inner lining: 1 - 12 1/2" x 25" rectangle
Lightweight Fusible Stabilizer:
- Inner lining: 1 - 12 1/2" x 25" rectangle
- Straps: 2 - 4" x 13" rectangles
Step: 3 Assemble the Blocks
Using the Dragonfly Lake pattern, assemble one butterfly and one dragonfly block.
Note that only two half square triangles (HSTs) from each color combination are needed as this art folio tutorial only uses two blocks. Instead of following the HST directions in the Dragonfly Lake quilt pattern, use Suzy’s 2-at-a-time HST tutorial found here. Then, trim the HSTs for the butterfly to 6 1/2" unfinished and to 3 1/2" for the dragonfly. Watch a video tutorial for making 2-at-a-time HSTs below!Assemble the four patches as shown on Page 10 of the pattern (Step 6). The finished blocks should measure 12 1/2".
Step 4: Assemble the Outer Panel
Sew the two Dragonfly Lake quilt blocks to the spine piece as shown using a 1/4" seam allowance. Now the outer panel should now measure 12 1/2" x 25 1/2".
Step 5: Quilt the Outer Panel
Using temporary spray adhesive or safety pins, baste the outer panel to the Soft and Stable piece.
Next, quilt the outer panel to the Soft and Stable only (no backing) as desired. I took the opportunity to play with a few of Suzy’s thread colors from her Evolve 8wt collection from Aurifil to accentuate the insect wings and bodies.
After the panel is quilted, sew a seam 1/8" from the edge around the entire perimeter to lock down the quilting stitches.
Then square up the outer panel and trim any excess batting/foam from the edges. Note that the size of the outer panel can shrink depending on the density of the quilting. This is okay! The inner slip pockets and lining can be trimmed to fit if necessary.
Step 6: Create the Handles
Using the manufacturer's directions, adhere one piece of the lightweight stabilizer to the wrong side of one strap, ensuring the adhesive side faces toward the fabric.
Once the stabilizer is adhered, fold the fabric in half lengthwise and press. After pressing, unfold the fabric. Next, fold the top half down to the middle crease. Then fold the bottom half up to meet it in the center. Refold in half again, keeping the raw edges inside the strap. When open, the creases should look like the image below.
Next, top-stitch using a 1/8" or 1/4" seam allowance (depending on your preference) from the edges down each side of the strap. Then repeat for the second strap.
Step 6: Attach the Handles
Find and mark the center on the right side of one short end of the quilted outer panel using a disappearing ink pen. Then measure and mark 2" to the left and right of the center mark.
Next, center one end of the strap on the right 2" mark and clip in place. Being careful that the strap is not twisted, line up the other end of the strap on the left 2" mark. Then clip in place as shown below.
Baste both straps to the outer panel about 1/8” from the edge. Now, set the outer panel aside.
Step 7: Make the Zipper Pocket
Make sure the zipper pull is attached to the 5 1/2" zipper tape and trim to 5". Next, fold each zipper tab in half, bringing the two short ends together, and press. Then line up the raw edges of one side zipper tab with the short end of the zipper and clip or pin in place.
Making sure the pull is out of the way, sew the tab to the end of the zipper with a 1/4" seam allowance and press away from the zipper. Then topstitch along the tab using a 1/8" seam allowance. Repeat for the other side of the zipper. Trim the zipper unit to 6 1/2" wide if necessary.
Using a zipper foot, sew the zipper top rectangle to the top edge of the zipper unit with a 1/4" seam allowance, right sides together. Make sure to move the zipper pull out of the way while sewing. Then press away from the zipper.
Topstitch along the zipper top about 1/8" away from the zipper tape.
Next, sew to the bottom of the zipper unit to the zipper bottom with a 1/4" seam allowance, right sides together. Press away from the zipper. Then topstitch along the zipper bottom about 1/8" away from the zipper tape and press away from the zipper.
The zipper panel should measure approximately 6 1/2" x 7 1/2", depending on the width of your chosen zipper. Trim from the bottom of the panel, if necessary, to arrive at the correct size.
Step 8: Attach the Pen Slip Pocket
First, sew the pen slip pocket rectangle to the left side of the zipper unit, right sides together. Then, press away from the zipper unit.
Topstitch along the pen slip pocket rectangle, about 1/8" away from the zipper unit. Now this zipper and pen unit should measure 12 1/2" wide by 7 1/2" tall.
Step 9: Attach the Paper Slip Pocket
Lining up the long edges of the paper slip pocket and bottom of the zipper and pen unit right sides together, and sew together with a 1/4" seam allowance.
Press away from the zipper and pen unit. Now this new unit should measure approximately 12 1/2" x 14 1/2" wide.
Line up the backing for folio pockets with the full zipper panel, right sides together. Then, pin or clip in place.
Sew ONLY the short ends using a 1/4" seam allowance.
Next, flip the unit right sides out and press well, making sure both sewn ends are fully pressed out. Topstitch both short ends of the inner folio pocket unit 1/8" from the edge.
Step 8: Assemble the Lining
Using the manufacturer’s instructions, adhere the inner lining stabilizer interfacing to the wrong side of the lining fabric, making sure the adhesive side is facing the fabric.
Next, mark the center of the long edge of the lining on both sides. Line up the center seam of the inner folio unit finished in the last step with the center marks on the lining. Then, clip or pin in place.
Baste the long sides of the inner folio unit to the sides of the lining using a 1/8" seam allowance. Then topstitch on both sides of the center seam of the inner folio unit using a 1/8" seam allowance, attaching it to the lining.
Next, topstitch on the top and left side ONLY of the zipper pocket to enclose that section, using a 1/8" seam allowance. Follow previous stitching lines to keep it neat.
Starting on the left side of the zipper pocket, mark vertical lines 1" apart on the pen slip pocket with a disappearing ink pen. You should be able to fit 5 lines.
Finally, topstitch along these lines to create the pen holders for the folio.
Step 10: Add the Hook and Loop Tape
Find the center of the short end of the lining piece. Measure down 1" and mark with a disappearing ink pen.
Next, center the hook and loop tape on the mark and topstitch around the tape using a 1/8" seam allowance. Be careful not to let the hook and loop tape shift while sewing. If it’s too difficult to pin the tape in place, you could use glue to baste it in place before sewing. Then repeat with the other side of the art folio.
Step 11: Assemble the Folio
If needed, trim the lining unit equally on each side to match up with the size of the outer panel as it may have shrunk during quilting.
Place the lining and outer panel right sides together and clip or pin in place.
Next, sew around the perimeter with a 1/4" seam allowance, leaving a 5" opening on one long side. Backstitch at the beginning and the end.
After this seam is complete, clip the corners to reduce bulk, ensuring not to cut into the stitching you just did.
Turn the art folio right sides out using a point turner or chop stick to poke out the corners and push out the side seams. Press well.
Tuck the seams of the opening left for turning inside the art folio and clip or pin in place. Finally, topstitch around the entire perimeter of the art folio, about 1/8" from the edge, ensuring that the 5" opening is completely closed.
And now, your art folio is complete!
Who Will You Give a Handmade Art Folio To?
You are now ready to take your little artist’s projects anywhere you choose this summer! Tell us in the comments who is getting a handmade art folio from you. Every child you know? Sounds right to us! Be sure to use #SuzyQuiltsBlog and tag @suzyquilts so we can see your take on our art folio tutorial!
Wow! Such attention to de!tail and transparency in this tutorial! Thank you for your expertise! BTW, cute bandage.
Is the quilting using 8 weight thread done by machine or hand quilting. ?
Machine — isn’t that cool?!
Very lovely
Incited me to buy the pattern 😊
Thanks for sharing this cute pattern with us! I can’t wait to try it =)
I purchased the quilt pattern the other night! I’ve been looking for a project holder and this is perfect! I don’t remember wish there was a pdf to print out though! Regardless, thank you so much. I can not wait to make this!
Will there be a pdf download available for this after the pattern has been released for awhile? Or maybe in a craft pattern section? 🙂 looks great and I can’t wait to try it out!
There’s no plan right now to make a downloadable version of this tutorial since it is already free on our site, but we love your excitement about this project! Isn’t it just the cutest?