Materials

Cretonne (Chap. I, Par. 12).

1/2 yard cretonne at least 17" wide.

1/2 yard white rubber lining, same width (if used).

1 1/2 yards bias tape 3/8" wide.

1 snap.

Thread No. 70.

Needle No. 8.

Introductory Statement

When traveling, time and worry may be saved by having a receptacle for all of your toilet articles so you can carry them with you to the dressing room on the car, or easily find them when needed without looking in the different corners of your grip. The traveling case which answers this purpose has come to be a real necessity.

As the traveling case is usually subjected to more or less strain, it should be made of serviceable material. Cretonne is a fabric which lends itself very well to this use. The traveling case is often lined with white rubber cloth, which makes it possible to place a damp tooth brush or wash cloth in the case without danger of injuring or wetting other articles in the grip. Oftentimes the wash cloth is kept in a rubber lined case by itself.

The case shown in this lesson is very simple in construction. However, it will be found very convenient, as it provides pockets for the brush and comb, tooth brush and wash cloth, with sufficient room for other small articles.

References:

Educational Needlecraft, Swanson & Macbeth. Man. Arts Press. Handicraft for Girls, McGauflin. Manual Arts Press.

Suggestions For Optional Modification

Stationery Case

No. 1. This case is made of cretonne with two pockets the proper size for the envelopes and paper. The edges are finished with bias tape.

Traveling Case

No. 2. This traveling case is made of cretonne. The pockets and flaps are separate pieces sewed on. The edges are finished with bias tape. It is lined with white rubber.

Spool Case

No. 3. This case is made of green undressed kid, cut out at the corners so it can be folded up to form the oblong case shown in the illustration. The cover is made separate. The edges are bound with green ribbon. Ribbon laced through holes in the sides of the case pass through the spools and hold them.

Slipper Case

No. 4. This project consists of two similar cases made of cretonne; each one is just large enough to hold a slipper. The edges are finished with bias tape.

Working Directions For Traveling Case

Preparing Material

Straighten two adjoining edges (Chap. II, Par. 102). On the shorter edge, measure out 16 1/2", the width of the traveling case; draw a thread lengthwise and cut on the line. On the longer edge measure down 18", the length of the traveling case before folding. Draw a thread crosswise and cut on the line.

Cutting Flap

This traveling case is made from a strip of cloth, one end of which is pointed and used as a flap; the other end is turned up to form a pocket. To make the end pointed for the flap, find the center by laying the two long edges together; crease on the fold, open the material. From one corner measure down 4 1/2". Mark with a pin. Fold the cover over until a straight fold connects the end of the center creases and the point marked with the pin. Crease with thumb nail; open material, cut on the line formed by the crease. On the same end, measure, fold and trim off the other corner in like manner.

Forming Pocket

A traveling case is more serviceable if lined with white rubber. If the case is to be lined, it should be done now. (To do tihis, cut a piece of white rubber cloth or oiled silk the same size and shape as the traveling case. Baste it to the case on the edges only, keeping it smooth and free from wrinkles on the surface). The lower edge is to be folded up to the flap to form the pocket. Before folding it, finish the raw edge (at the bottom) with bias tape.

Folded bias tape may be used, or bias strips 3/4" wide may be cut and the edges folded in to make them 3/8" wide (Chap. II, Par.143). To sew on the tape, lay the right side of the tape next to the wrong side of the material, with the edges even, baste along the line of the crease with even basting (Chap. II, Par. 103); stitch in place with the sewing machine (Chap. II, Par. 164) or with fine running stitches (Chap. II, Par. 106); remove the bastings, turn the other folded edge of the tape over to the right side of the material, with the edge as nearly opposite the edge of the other side as possible; baste it in place with even basting and stitch close to the edge with the sewing machine. Remove basting thread. As the pocket is to be 6" deep, fold it up that depth (to the beginning of the flap) with the right side out. Baste the edges together with uneven basting (Chap II, Par. 104).

The raw edges of the traveling case are to be finished with bias tape also, fastening the pockets in place at the same time. After turning under one end of the tape, sew it on the raw edge around the case the same way that you sewed it on the edge of the pocket, folding it to fit around the corners (it will not be necessary to sew these folded corners as they are too narrow to require it). Finish the other end of the bias tape by turning it under as you did the first. Remove bastings.

Sewing On Fasteners

This traveling case is held shut with a snap. Sew the smaller part of the snap on the point of the flap (Chap. II, Par.133) (be careful not to let the stitches show on the right side). To find the place in which to sew the other part of the snap, fold the flap over the pocket, close the lower part of the snap onto the upper part, then while holding the lower part in its proper position, pull the upper part away from it; sew on the lower part of the snap, being careful not to sew through to the back of the case.

If desired, the pocket may be divided into sections suitable for holding different toilet articles. To make a pocket for the wash cloth, make a row of parallel stitching 5 1/4" from the edge of the case. Another line of stitching parallel with this, 1" away, will provide a pocket for the tooth brush. The remainder of the case may be used for the brush and comb as shown in the illustration.