Pattern #9 ~ Behold Prayer Pocket

Note: This post includes instructions for both 4″ and 5″ Prayer Pockets. See the pattern supplies and instructions below. It is recommended to read the project in its’ entirety prior to cutting or sewing.

Good morning everyone! It is a chilly Florida day (in the 40s) and we are back to the cutting table with another FREE PRAYER POCKET PATTERN! Are you ready for a weekend of fun online sewing? The big event is this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Grab your favorite fabrics – holiday or everyday – and and sewing tools to create, create, create! Be sure to tell your friends about the online fun. The inspiration will be unlimited. A bonus are the incredible prizes!

Just a REMINDER … We decided to have a little TREASURE HUNT. Throughout the 12 DAYS of FREE PATTERNS, we will be sharing news of our SPONSORS and the PRIZES. As you read thru each day’s blog post, treasures (prize announcements) will be shared. When you find the treasure, comment on the blog post with the prize and you will receive an extra entry into the giveaway.

PATTERN #9: Behold Prayer Pocket

Today’s pattern spotlight is BEHOLD. The simple star signifying the birth of Jesus in a manger is such a simple design which holds an enormous about of meaning. Whether you use shining golden fabrics, stunning florals, or bold solid fabrics, your star will shine brightly this season.

Imagine a starry navy background with a golden star! Maybe quilt with a metallic thread? Time to grab a few new fabrics for this weekend’s sewing!

Supplies:

The first set of supplies indicates the required supplies for a 4″ x 4″ project. If you prefer a larger 5″ x 5″ project, the second set of supplies applies. The steps to construct the project remain the same.

The seam allowance for all Prayer Pocket patterns is 1/4″.

Our Favorite Products:

Looking for great tools to make your sewing experience easier and more enjoyable?

Our favorite batting for quilting and smaller projects such as tote bags and Prayer Pockets, is Hobbs Heirloom 80/20. The Dritz turning tool is a favorite tool. The curved and pointed ends make smoothing corners a quick process. Sew a high-quality project with Wonderfil thread. The durable, beautiful thread in so many gorgeous colors and sizes is a win for any project. Our go-to iron, which is not only adorable but very efficient, is the Oliso travel iron.

Note: Now that we have sewn a few of the Prayer Pockets, we will focus on the FRONT design detail. I am sure you already understand the process to assemble the rest of the project. If you need to refer back to detailed photo instructions, see the original pattern post HERE.

We will compile a printable PDF booklet for your convenience. It will be available by December 4. The quick reference booklet will be handy to have nearby while sewing.

4″ Prayer Pocket Supplies:

• {1} FRONT Star Fabric: 4-1/2″ x 4-1/2″
• {1} FRONT Background Star Fabric: 4-1/2″ x 4-1/2″
• {4} FRONT Background Corner Squares: 1-1/2″ x 1-1/2″
• {1} FRONT Star Center Square: 2-1/2″ x 2-1/2″
• * {1} Batting: 5″ x 5″
• * {1} LINING Fabric: 5″ x 5″
• {1} BACK Fabric: 4-1/2″ x 4-1/2″
• {1} POCKET Fabric: 4-1/2″ W x 8″ L

5″ Prayer Pocket Supplies:

• {1} FRONT Star Fabric: 5″ x 5″
• {1} FRONT Background Star Fabric: 5″ x 5″
• {4} FRONT Background Corner Squares: 1-3/4″ x 1-3/4″
• {1} FRONT Star Center Square: 3″ x 3″
• * {1} Batting: 6″ x 6″
• * {1} LINING Fabric: 6″ x 6″
• {1} BACK Fabric: 5-1/2″ x 5-1/2″
• {1} POCKET Fabric: 5-1/2″ W x 10″ L

Optional:

Prayer Pockets may be personalized to feature a hanger or to stand independently without. Hang your Prayer Pocket from your purse or tote bag by adding a simple hanger made of ribbon or matching fabric. Suggested options include:

• {1} Ribbon: 4″
• {1} Fabric: 1-1/2″ W x 4″ L
• {1} Swivel Keychain Hook
• {1} Keychain Split Circle

Instructions:

To create the FRONT of the Prayer Pocket, choose two fabrics and cut accordingly. The two larger squares will be used to create the star points using an 8-at-a-time half-square triangle method.

Draw an X from corner to corner on the wrong side of one of the larger squares. There are many excellent marking tools available – chalk pens and air soluble markers.

With right sides together, match the two large squares.

Sew a 1/4″ seam on both sides of each horizontal line.

Shown above is the drawn diagonal lines with the sewing completed. Notice you have sewn on both sides of each diagonal line – a total of 4 sewn lines.

Cut the large square in half horizontally and vertically.
* For the 4″ project, you will cut the large square into {4} squares measuring 2-1/4″.
* For the 5″ project, you will cut the large square into {4} squares measuring 2-1/2″.

Cut on the drawn diagonal lines. You now have 8 triangles. Since they have a seam, when opened you have 8 half-square triangles. This method is great for creating volumes of HSTs. You use larger pieces of fabric and draw fewer lines, yet the end result is a wonderful 8 HST components.

Now let’s trim the HSTs.
* For the 4″ project, trim each HST to 1-1/2″
* For the 5″ project, trim each HST to 1-3/4″.

Layout the block components.

Chain piecing saves timed and thread. With the neighboring components matched, we sew along one side. Always check your points to ensure they are lined up.

The first set of neighboring components are sewn together. Now, match the top two sets and sew together. Repeat for the bottom two sets.

With the top and bottom rows sewn, we now focus on the middle row. Match the sets with the center square and sew.

Each row has been sewn. Place the rows right side together and sew.

Tada! Your FRONT is completed.

Pictured: Components of the Prayer Pocket – BACK, POCKET, RIBBON HANGER, FRONT.

(*) We chose to quilt this project. We layered a piece of broadcloth for the lining, Hobbs Heirloom 80/20 batting, and the FRONT design. Stitching in the ditch (seam) or as close as possible, highlights the star design. Then we stitched 1/4″ inside the star to accent it. Once quilted, we trimmed to the appropriate size of 4-1/2″ or 5-1/2″. The FRONT design is now ready for assembly.

This was a condensed version of the instructions. Remember, the detailed photo instructions for the Prayer Pocket assembly in available on the initial post (Pattern #1).

As with any design, if you prefer to keep the design front and center, simply sew the 4″ pattern then add borders as we did on the Evergreen pattern. You now have a 5″ Prayer Pocket (with no points to worry about with the outside seam).

Are you inspired to create Prayer Pockets? With every design we share, we add more sketches to our list of possible patterns. Prayer Pockets are a quick project which makes use of tidbits of fabric yet yield wonderful gifts. Consider decorating your tree with Prayer Pockets.

Do you enjoy hand sewing? Are you a fan of English Paper Piecing? May be EPP is on your list of skills to learn. With any skill/project, having the proper tools to get started makes the creative process much more enjoyable. Paper Pieces is gifting an English Paper Piecing Starter Kit (link) to one lucky winner. Get started with EPP with a kit filled with fantastic tools – and even fabric! Have you entered the daily treasure hunt on each Prayer Pocket pattern post – plus on our Instagram TREASURE HUNT post?

You’re invited … to join DayBrook Designs for our 2021 AZALEA QUILT ALONG. We will be sewing an English Paper Piecing flower consisting of a hexagon and flower petals (link) utilizing the Paper Pieces products. You choose which size of flower best fits your project (link). Sew one block a week starting January 2021 thru December 2021. By the end of the year, you will have a stunning quilt. Watch for more news to be released in December. To keep up to date on QUILT ALONG news, sign up for our newsletter.

About the Sew Along . . .

Have you heard the news? Our next community sewing event ~ the first annual PRAYER POCKET SEW ALONG ~ is starting soon! You are invited to join us 2020 December 4, 5, & 6 on Instagram and Facebook. ‘Tis the season to celebrate. Share inspirational messages of God’s love with others thru this quick-to-sew gift.

Click HERE to SIGN UP to be included in the prize drawings and to read the introductory post about the sew along.

To be entered into the giveaways: (1) Signup for the event. (2) Follow us on Instagram. Then, post your beautiful creations on Instagram.

Entries for the GIVEAWAYS, may be posted starting Friday, 2020 December 4 thru Sunday, December 6 (EST). Remember to include: #PrayerPocketSewlong2020 plus tag @DayBrookDesigns when sharing your pictures.

Not on Instagram? No worries. Follow our Facebook page. Then, upload your Prayer Pocket creations to our Facebook page event album (HERE)