The Quilters Planner: Review and DIY Cover

Happy Sunday! I'm checking in to show off this super cute cover I made for the 2018 Quilters Planner that I recently won in a giveaway courtesy of Kitty Wilkin / Night Quilter, as well as give you a quick review of the Quilter's Planner itself incase you're thinking of purchasing one :)

If you're interested, and want to see more photos, keep reading...

Planner Review

First off: I have to state without hesitation that this is the best planner EVER! I am somewhat of a planner addict, and although I don't share my planners (and stickers, pens, etc LOL) on social media much, I definitely have a thing for all things planner related. Needless to say, one that's specifically for Quilters is right up my alley!

Here are some things I love about this planner...

• You get weekly and monthly pages for every month of the year with lots of little extra spots for goal trackers, sketches, lists and more.
• There are 15 Alison Glass designed coloring pages plus 4 pages of Alison Glass stickers for your planner (SO AWESOME!).
• A reference section in the back for cutting fabrics, calculating cutting measurements, etc. 
• Tons of to-do list pages, gridded pages for sketching blocks or full quilts, Project Planning and Swap / Bee Block tracking pages.... just so much stuff!
• There is also a thick magazine that comes with the planner to accompany it which includes 13 quilting & sewing patterns.

I really didn't understand just how awesome this planner was until I saw it in person. If you're someone who quilts or creates a lot - and especially someone who participates in swaps - this is such an amazing asset to have! I highly recommend buying one!

Handmade Planner Cover

For my planner I wanted to create a cute but classy looking cover. I used the free "45 Minute Planner Cover" PDF tutorial from the Quilter's Planner website and added my own flair.

The EPP panel is the center hexagon block from a PaperPieces.com "Star Blossom" block kit which was gifted to be in a recent swap. The fabrics are Daisy Chain by Annabel Wrigley. I am totally in love with this line right now. I have an extra fat quarter bundle set aside for a quilt (hopefully one day).

If you'd like to make a cover like mine, here are basic instructions...

Supplies Needed:

• FQ for lining
• FQ for interior pockets
• Essex Linen (background): 9" x 21"
• Accent fabric (bottom strip): 3.5" x 21"
• PaperPieces.com "Star Blossom" block pack
• Small piece of elastic at least 2" long
• Fusible fleece and woven interfacing

Instructions:

• Use the 13 center EPP pieces from the Star Blossom block to baste and hand sew your large hexagon block.
• Piece accent fabric strip to the bottom of Essex linen background. Trim to 11.5" x 21"
• Applique, or hand sew, your finished EPP block onto the front of your planner cover exterior placing it at least ½" from the top and 2-3" from the right side.
• Follow the free "45 Minute Planner Cover" PDF tutorial to complete your cover.

If you make a planner cover like mine I'd love to see your finished creation! Feel free to tag me @amistabaker on Instagram. 

Thanks for reading! Have an awesome month, I'll see you again in early December for my turn on the  Stitching Sewing Organizers Sew-A-Long!