Spring projects always feel extra exciting after a long Minnesota winter. The second I start reaching for brighter fabrics, I know the season is finally changing.
This little Carrot Treat Pocket came together as a simple and cheerful project for Easter. It’s perfect for holding a few candies, but it can also be used on a spring table. The pocket on the front can hold utensils or a folded napkin, which makes it a fun little detail for place settings.
It’s also a great scrap-friendly project, which makes it perfect for using those small pieces of fabric you may already have in your sewing room.
It’s a quick project, fun to sew, and one of those small makes that instantly brings a little spring feeling into the house.
Materials
- 2 Fat Quarters or scraps in Orange (for carrot body and pocket) and Green (for carrot tops)
- Matching thread
- Fusible Fleece or Batting
- Free Templates (Download here)
- Janome Clear View 1/4″ Seam Foot
- AcuFeed Dual Feed Foot (for quilting)
Cutting
Using the provided templates, cut the following:
- 2 carrot body pieces
- 2 pocket pieces
- 4 carrot top pieces
- 1 interfacing for carrot body and 1 interfacing for the pocket
When printing the templates, make sure your printer is set to Actual Scale or 100%. Before cutting any fabric, check that the 1 inch test square on the template measures correctly. This helps ensure the carrot pieces come out the right size.
Please note that the templates have been updated. My original carrot shape had a slightly rounder bottom, but I refined it to be a bit more pointed. The templates included here reflect the updated shape, so your finished carrot will look like the scrappy version
Optional Quilting
If you would like to add a little texture, you can quilt the carrot pieces before assembling them.
First, fuse the fusible fleece to the wrong side of the main carrot fabric. Repeat the same step for the pocket piece.
For the quilting, I stitched organic lines, which add soft texture and keep the look playful.
I used the AccuFeed system on my Janome Continental M8, which helps feed the layers evenly from both the top and bottom. It makes quilting small projects like this feel smooth and controlled.
Sew the Pocket
Place the two pocket pieces right sides together and sew along the top straight edge using a ¼ inch seam allowance. Flip the back pocket piece over to enclose the seam, then press so the top edge looks clean and crisp. Set the pocket aside. It will be layered onto the carrot when assembling the pieces.
Sew the Carrot Tops
Place the two carrot top pieces right sides together. Sew along the curved edges using a ¼ inch seam allowance, leaving the straight edge open. Clip the curves if needed, then turn the piece right side out and press so the edges look smooth and crisp.
Attach the Carrot Tops
Gather the raw edges of the carrot tops as shown in the photos. Place the gathered tops at the top center of the main carrot piece, with right sides together. Baste them in place within the seam allowance to hold them securely.
Assemble the Carrot
Place the front carrot piece right side up on your work surface. Position the pocket piece right side up on top of the front carrot piece, aligning it as shown in the photo.
Next, place the back carrot piece wrong side up on top of the front and pocket pieces, aligning all the raw edges. The carrot tops should be pointing down toward the carrot and tucked inside the layers. They will pop out when the carrot is turned right side out.
Pin or clip around the edges to hold everything in place. Sew around the carrot using a ⅜ inch seam allowance, leaving about a 3 inch gap along one side for turning.
Clip the curves around the carrot to help the edges turn smoothly. Be careful not to cut through the stitching. Turn the carrot right side out through the opening. Use a turning tool or the blunt end of a chopstick to gently push out the curves so the carrot shape looks smooth.
Press the carrot flat, folding the seam allowance at the opening to the inside. Close the 3 inch turning gap with hand stitching. A ladder stitch works well here and keeps the seam nearly invisible. Give the carrot one final press and your Carrot Treat Pocket is ready to use.
Ready for Spring
Your carrot treat pocket is ready to fill. Tuck a few candies inside for Easter baskets, or place one at each seat on your table to hold utensils or a folded napkin. It’s a small detail, but handmade touches like this can make spring gatherings feel extra special.
Sometimes the simplest projects end up bringing the biggest smiles. If you make one, I would love to see it. Be sure to tag me when you share your creations on Instagram @thaicharmllc and use the hashtags #thaicharmpatterns and #janomemakes. Happy sewing!