Making a simple envelope style pouch....

 

I've previously shown the slow stitched fabric pouches which have brought me joy to make over the past month, and as you have requested, today I'll show you how to make your own. 

These pouches can be made any size you want, you just need two squares of fabric the same size, some thin fusible wadding 1/2" smaller than your squares, and a long length of 1" wide fabric for the tie. 

For three of my pouches I used two different fabrics, but for the green linen check pouch I used the same fabric. Use what you like, experiment a little, and just have some fun. 

What I loved most about the process of making my pouches was not having to hurry, being able to pick it up and put it down at leisure, usually slow stitching quilted lines in the evenings for little while at a time. 

I have previously made two pouches from 10" squares, one from a 12 inch square, and for this tutorial I made one from an 8" square. 

So as I said, choose your square size and cut yourself two pieces of fabric, and one piece of thin fusible wadding, 1/2" smaller than your squares. You'll also need a 1" wide length of fabric, twice as long as your square - so if you have a 12" square, cut a 24" long length of fabric for the tie.

(the photos aren't as good as I'd hoped, due to using my phone and not my camera)

Use a bias maker to turn the 1" wide fabric into bias. You don't need to cut your fabric diagonally because we're not going to use it as bias, but as a the wrapping tie. 

Once made, fold the bias in half and sew the halves together. Tie a tight knot at each end of the tie. 

Fuse the thin wadding to the wrong side of one of your squares (best to choose the fabric which will feature as the outside of your pouch)...

With right sides facing, pin the fabrics together. Sew around the four sides of the square with a 1/4" seam, leaving a 3" opening along one side. 

Turn right side out through the opening. Press the opening down before ladder stitching it closed. 

I took the next lot of photos before I quilted the square, as it was easier to get as many 'step' photos as I could at the time. 

Press in three corners of the square, envelope style.

NOTE: another lovely thing about these pouches is that they are reversible, so choose your lining fabric carefully too.

Now, before we stitch the folds together, it's time to quilt the square. I just do small stitches in straight lines, fairly close together - this effect makes me very happy. No idea why, but it does!

Now sew the tie to the top (open) flap...but sew it 1/3 of the way along the length. You need one end of the tie to be twice as long as the other (for wrapping around at the end).

Then sew the two folded sides together with a ladder stitch to complete your pouch. :-)

I hope you make one (or more)...they have come in very handy in my house. Two are cases for my reading glasses (one at home and one in my handbag); one holds my crochet hooks; and this smaller one which I made for the tutorial holds nail clippers, small scissors, a nail file and a hanky, for my handbag.

As well as little pouches, this past week I've also been working on more Dresden blocks for Blossom's 30th birthday quilt (due in May)...

...completing the repair and extension of Rafaella's damaged crochet blanket...

...a return to working on my own crochet blanket (first one I have made for myself)...

...baking a new sourdough banana bread recipe, which is now the family's favourite...

...and back to baking sour dough bread again, thanks to Elly who did a video on baking with sour dough in the hot and humid areas of the country.

Tomorrow I'm choosing to have a nice slow day at home, pottering around in the sewing room, listening to an audio book, and enjoying fresh herbal teas with greens from the garden. I've had a very busy few days deep cleaning the kitchen appliances, sorting the linen cupboard, organising my home apothecary supplies, weeding, and planting herbs...as well as the usual homemaking rhythms that bring me joy.

I'll have the pie photos and steps on Thursday for you, and hopefully the recipe book (part 1) on Friday or Saturday. 

God bless you dear ones, and may the remainder of your week be blessed in every way. 

hugs

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