Pencil Pouch Tutorial

School is back in session throughout much of the US. The "norm" of back to school shopping is happening. While wanting to grab just a loaf of bread, you may very well run in to a, back to school shopping individual. We come in many shapes and sizes, we look tired, with kids screaming and the pressure of our bleeding pockets, as the card is swiped at check out.

Now let me say, I love my children, LOVE. But let's be honest, I get tired of being around them 24/7. So I felt like this a lot of the summer. Who knew kids argued so much?

I've had this tutorial planned for a while. My oldest kiddo is a pen/pencil hoarder and insists on bringing them to school. She is slightly obsessed with Wonder Woman. At just 10 she has read a lot of the comics and says it matters to have been a fan before the movie haha. Anyways, this is her last year in elementary school and I wanted to do all I could to make it special for her. She requested a Wonder Woman. pencil pouch and other accessories that I haven't quite gotten around to yet.

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So, without further ado I present the Pickle Toes Pattern Pencil Pouch tutorial.
To begin you will need:

  • 9" x 10.5" cotton woven x4 (2 outer and 2 lining)
  • 9" x 10.5"  lightweight or medium weight  interfacing x2 (apply to the wrong side of lining pieces)
  • 2" x 3" cotton woven for zipper tabs x2
  • 1" x 5" cotton woven for loops x3
  • 9" non separating zipper



Apply your interfacing to the backside of the lining. Take one of your zipper tab pieces and press with a hot iron in half lengthwise (long sides).  Open it back up and take one of the raw edges and line up it up with the center crease you just made. Repeat with the other side, and then fold the tab in half securing the raw edges inside.

 

Once the tabs are finished, lay them on each end of the zipper. I laid this on top of my inner fabric to get an idea of where the tabs go. Attach them to the zipper by using a straight stitch on your machine.

 

 

Attach the zipper by sandwiching it between one lining and outer. Place the lining fabric with right side up and then the zipper on top. Take the outer piece and lay it on top with right side down. Sew down the zipper and repeat the process with the other edge of the zipper. If you are new to zippers you can watch MADE Everyday's tutorial here. The first way she shows would be the best way for this project.

 

Repeat the same process for the other side of the zipper.  Feel free to trim the seam allowance down to remove any bulk. You can also turn it so wrong sides of the fabric are touching and top stitch around the zipper.

 

Repeat the process you used for the zipper tabs on the 3 tabs. You will want to edge stitch along the open side of the strip.

 

 

Curve the strip to form a loop and place the two outer ones 3/4" from the side edges of the outer fabric. Measure 3" from either of the loops and place the remaining loop. Pin them into place and lay the other outer fabric on top.

 

 

Starting at the bottom of the lining section sew around the pouch. Be sure to leave a 2" gap from where you started, this makes turning the pouch the correct way easier. You also want to be sure to catch the ends of the loops and to leave the zipper partially open.

 

 

Pull the outer fabric through the zipper opening and then through the opening you left on the lining. In the second photo below, I marked my 2" opening. close your opening and push the lining into the outer portion.

 

Stand back and admire your work!
Until next time Meyrakians,
Jen

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Be sure to visit our Facebook page for more tutorials and tips.  And for an excellent beginner sewing resource, check out this blog for some excellent information.   Even a seasoned sewist may learn a thing or two.  https://doyousew.com/sewing-for-beginners-machine-instructions/