As you know I have been on a mission - to sew from the scrap basket for 4 weeks and try to empty it=) . To see what I made in the first 2 weeks, see my previous post here
Weeks 3-4
It was proven during the first 2 weeks that preparation is the key. So I spend few days during week 3 picking the color combos, sewing the pieces together, cutting the lining, interfacing, batting and zipper tubs. And I prepared 20 pouches! Quite ambitious goal taking into account that I can only do it in my spare time and had only 1,5 weeks left=)
The pile of scraps decreased but not that dramatically as I expected
I managed to make 11 pouches during weeks 3-4 + 1 for the tutorial I share with you below.
In total in 4 weeks I made 30 unique patchwork pouches, still have pieces cut for 9, and scraps left to make at least 15 more=)
Conclusion - Mission impossible to empty the scrap basket in 4 weeks!!!=)
ZIPPER POUCH TUTORIAL
What you need
- 2 pieces of exterior fabric cut to the size you need (add 1/2 inches on each side)
- 2 pieces of lining fabric
- 2 pieces of woven interfacing
- 2 pieces of thin polyester batting
- 4 pieces for zipper tabs - the same width as you zipper 2-2,5 inches long
- zipper
- Regular foot for your sewing machine
1 Cut the pieces
I prefer cutting only the exterior piece and interfacing to the size, but lining and batting slightly bigger.
Even though I use mainly upholstery grade fabric, I always add woven cotton interfacing to the back of exterior pieces to make the pouch sturdier and more durable.
Iron the woven fusible interfacing to the back of your exterior pieces.
2 Make zipper tabs
Check the length of your zipper - zipper should be 2 inches shorter than the exterior and mark that length on the zipper. Don´t cut excess of zipper at this point.
Align the zipper tabs on the zipper (the top tab right side to the zipper top, the bottom tab right side faces the zipper bottom, and stitch right on the mark. Now you can cut the excess of zipper (I usually cut it the same as the seam allowance).
Fold the tabs towards the end of the zipper and top stitch.
Open the zipper slightly, and repeat on the other side but make sure you are stitching right above the zipper stops.
3 Attach the zipper
Take one of lining pieces and fold in half along the long side on top, finger press /right sides together/ - you will have a mark of the middle of your lining piece. Fold the zipper in half between the tabs (zipper pull facing right) and finger press.
Align the middle of the zipper on top of the right side of the lining piece with zipper pull to the right.
Put first the exterior piece (right side facing down) on top of the zipper and then batting aligning the top edge of the layers. Use clips to hold the pieces together.
Stitch along the edge and when you come close to the zipper pull, put the needle down, reach inside and open the zipper, stitch to the end.
Fold the wrong sides of exterior and lining together, run your finger finger along the seam you have just sewn, and smooth it. Top stitch.
Repeat on the other side.
4 Trimming
First trim the piece at the bottom of the pouch, then at the sides, making sure that you leave 1 inch long zipper tabs (as it will make it easier to turn the pouch at the next stage).
If you would like to make rounded corners use a ruler and rotary cutter to cut through the layers on 4 corners. But you can use any round object to mark the edges (e.g. a glass or a mug etc.) for marking and cut with scissors.
5 Sewing the pouch body
Open the zipper. Put the exterior pieces right sides together making sure that the edges near the zip tabs are aligned and tabs are facing towards the lining.
Use the clips to hold the pieces together.
Start stitching on the lining pieces locking the stitches at the beginning and the end, sew around the pouch body, leaving a 3 inches gap on the lining unsewn. Trim the curves with zig zag sheers or if you are sewing a rectangular pouch, clip the corners.
6 Finishing the pouch
Through the opening in the lining turn the pouch out, smooth the seams with your finger. Use a chopstick or wooden stick to poke the tabs and corners (for a rectangular pouch).
Sew the opening in the lining closed.
Put the lining inside the pouch, give it a good press and that´s all!
If you decide to give my tutorial a try, please, share your creations on IG and tag me @nordiccrafter.
Happy Sewing!