Fat Quarter Project 3: The Open Wide Pouch

 

Here we are at Project 3!  

If you have been following my blog, you know that I have made 3 projects from one fat quarter. 

You can find project 1 here: https://kristensewkrafty.blogspot.com/2021/04/fat-quarter-project-one-headband.html

and project 2 here: https://kristensewkrafty.blogspot.com/2021/05/fat-quarter-project-2-sunglasses-pouch.html

Now we move on to project 3:  The wide open pouch.  This is a cute little pouch that I found on Pinterest and just HAD to make!  When my daughter asked for a pouch to hold her Garmin watch along with an extra band and charger, I knew this was the perfect project!  I used this tutorial here - https://sewingtimes.net/diy-mini-pouch-bag/ - to make the pouch, but modified the size in order that I could use a smaller zipper that I already had on hand.  I cannot improve on the original tutorial.  The link above is so awesome and thorough.  I will post pics of what I did and the measurements that I changed, but you really should watch the video in the link to learn how to make this pouch.  It looks complicated, but when you follow her directions, she simplifies it so much!!

I used a 7" zipper, because that is what I had on hand.  I changed the measurements from the origianl tutrial to match the zipper.  

Start by cutting 2 pieces of outer fabric, 2 pieces of lining fabric and 2 pieces of interfacing (I used Shape Flex) 7.5" x 3.5".  For this project, I used the same fabric for the outside and the lining.

Iron the Shape Flex onto your outside pieces

Next, fold each piece in half and mark 1" in from the fold and 1.25" up from  the bottom

cut out the rectangle.  Your pieces should look like the next picture

this is what it looks like unfolded

cut the same rectangle out of the lining pieces

Add a zipper by placing one outside piece face up and the zipper face down on top of that, being sure to line up the top edge, as below

place a lining piece on top of that face down and pin or use wonder clips to secure

open up the fabric and fold each piece back onto itself.  the iron and topstitch

do the same thing for the second side

iron and topstitch on the second piece as well

fold the outside pieces together, right sides facing each other

and the lining pieces together, right sides facing each other, so it looks like this:

stitch across the shorter sides, making sure to line up the zippers with each other

this is where it gets a little tricky.  I took pics, but they are very confusing.  I will put them below, but in order to really understand what to do, you should refer to this link https://sewingtimes.net/diy-mini-pouch-bag/.  She mkes it so much clearer than I can!!

After sewing the sides, unzip the zipper all the way.  Open the pouch and pinch together the zipper on one end to the zipper on the other end.

Sew across each side where the clips are - making sure to leave on opening on the lining side for turning later

now we are going to box the corners.  pinch the corners together on one side of the lining and one side of the outside and clip together

stitch across, and repeat for the other side

turn the pouch right side out

stitch the opening closed

push the lining inside the pouch and you are done

 Such a cute little pouch!  I love how the shape is different from what you usually see!  I made another one out of floral fabrics and filled it with candy for my purse.  These little pouches are so versatile!

Let me know if you make one.  Leave any questions or comments below!

Happy Sewing :-)

Fat Quarter Project 2: Sunglasses pouch

 If you are following this blog, you will know that my daughter unwittingly challenged me to make 3 projects out of one fat quarter.  I took the challenge with gusto and created 3 projects with one fat quarter - and finished them all in one day.  Project One was a headband.  You can find that tutorial here:  https://kristensewkrafty.blogspot.com/2021/04/fat-quarter-project-one-headband.html

    For project 2, my daughter wanted a zipper pouch for her new shades.  This is a very easy and simplistic pouch that can be custom made to fit any sunglasses.  Let's get started!!

 First you need to measure the sunglasses.  Then add 1" to the length and 1.5" to the height  (I did that because of the zipper.)  Cut fabric according to those measurements.

Cut two pieces for the outer fabric, two pieces for the lining and....

2 pieces of interfacing - I use fusible fleece because it is my favorite!!

Iron the fusible fleece to both the outer fabric pieces

Next, you will sew in the zipper.  Lay the outer fabric right side up.  Place the zipper right side down on top of the outer fabric, lining up the top edges as in the picture

then lay the lining fabric right side down on top of that, lining up the fabrics and sandwiching the zipper in between.  Pin or use wonder clips to hold all the layers together.   (I love wonder clips!!  If you haven't tried them yet, you should!!)

 

Using your zipper foot, stitch across the top, catching all three layers.  Then fold both outer and lining fabric out of the way of the zipper, iron and topstitch close to the zipper

Repeat for the other side of the pouch, making sure your sides line up so the zipper will be straight

Once again, iron and topstitch close to the zipper

Next, open the zipper 3/4 of the way

Open up the fabric placing right sides of the outer fabric together and right sides of the lining together.  Line up the zipper seam and pin or clip

cut off the ends of the zipper that stick out beyond the fabric

On this piece I marked where you would leave the opening for turning.  I don't usually do that - I did it here for this tutorial 😎

stitch all the way around the pouch leaving an opening in the lining for turning. 

Next box each corner maybe 3/4" - it doesn't have to be much - depending on how wide your sunglasses are when folded

After boxing the corners, clip 1/4" away from stitching - this cuts down on the bulk in the corners

flip the pouch right side out thru the opening

iron or fingerpress the opening so you have a nice crisp fold in the fabric. 

Then stitch closed.  I just used my machine because its on the inside and won't be seen anyway.  I also used black thread so you could see what I was doing - You really should match the thread to your fabric!

Push the lining into the pouch - and you're done!

Place your glasses inside and enjoy! 

If you make a pouch from this tutorial, let me know!  I would love to see pics!  Leave comments below if you have any questions!

Happy Sewing!