A while ago I mentioned that I was going to do something with the fabrics my friends. This is the post where I tell you what I did!

Pouches!!

I first started making these years and years ago, because they’re super easy and useful. I found the pattern and tutorial on Pinterest, specifically found here: Sewing at CraftGossip. I’ve made two different sizes a few times, and they come in really handy for gifts.

The tutorial walks through how to actually create the pattern based on the final dimensions you’re looking for, which was one of the first times I’d ever drafted a pattern, and led to me being able to reproduce a well-loved satchel that we’d taken to Europe almost every single time that now has holes and rips.

I’m not going to tell you how to draft the pattern – you should go to the tutorial for help there.

Here’s what you need for the pouch

• Outside fabric
• Lining fabric
• Light or medium weight iron on interfacing
• Coordinating zipper
• Coordinating thread

For my pouches, I use a 12″ zipper.

This tutorial taught me how to add zippers to pouches pretty easily. Take the outside fabric, having been cut into the appropriate shape, and lay it down face up on your table. Then lay the zipper upside down along the top edge of the fabric. Sandwich the zipper with a layer of inside fabric right side down:

Use a zipper foot to sew the sandwich together (I used a 1/4″ seam allowance). Flip the fabrics so that the right sides are out, and press. Repeat these steps for the other side of the pouch, making sure the zipper is facing down on the right side of the outside fabric:

Remember to line the zipper up with the top of the fabric (this picture is just showing that the new outside fabric is under the previous sandwich. Once I had sewn the second sandwich, I used the opportunity to top stitch both sides. It makes the seam looks nice and provides some security.

Next up it’s time to mostly close up the pouch. MAKE SURE YOU OPEN THE ZIPPER AT LEAST 2/3RDS OF THE WAY! Pin the outsides together, right sides in, and the insides together, right sides in. Push the zipper teeth in so that they point toward the lining.

Sew each of the sides, through the zipper.

Sew the bottom of the outside fabrics together.

Next, sew all but about 3 inches of the inside fabric’s bottom seam.

Please forgive the not so great picture…

Time to sew the corners! At one of the corners, separate the two pieces of fabric, matching the bottom seam and the side seam. Pin the seams together so that they are flat. Sew, then repeat for the remaining three corners.

I might need a manicure… 🙂

Once you’ve sewn all four corners, use the opening you left in the lining fabric and turn the pouch inside out.

If you’re snazzy, you’ll hand stitch the lining open… If you’re lazy, like me, you’ll turn the raw edges of the fabric inside, and machine sew with a very, very small seam allowance.

Push the lining into the pouch, making sure you press the corners down into the bag. And you’re done!

See? Pretty!

Once I got back into the swing of things, I was able to put the other three together very quickly. Check them out!

I can’t wait to give these to my friends! I really, really love how they came out and how the fabrics work together. Since I’m giving them away, I may have to make another set for myself… 🙂

What do you think?