How to make quilted pouches

Last week I showed you some gorgeous little pouches I have been making from UFO's and pieces of work I have made that have not made it to an art canvas.  They can be used for just about anything and are really beautiful.  They are soft, easy to slip into a bag and just so practical.

They are also really easy to make and don't take very long.

So here is how you make a little pouch 

1. Take a piece of quilted fabric UFO and cut it into a long rectangle.  It can be as wider or longer if that is what you have it will just make a different sized pouch.  I use all my quilted fabric that hasn't turned out quite right or isn't good enough to use as a art quilt. SO I have many different shapes and sizes.  These instructions work for any size or width.

2. Fold it in different configurations to see what way looks the best.  (A-D)  I tried it in quite a few ways and then realised it would look better without the grey on it so I decided to cut some of the grey off.  I ended up choosing D.

A front

A back

B Front

C Front

C back

D front

D Back

3.  Choose a piece of fabric that matches the front and is the same size or larger than you quilted piece of fabric.  This will be your lining for the pouch. 

4. Iron the lining flat.  It is important to do this step now so that the lining can be cut out accurately

5. Trim off any fabric that is not needed for the pouch.  I have chosen to take off the grey part as it did not look right when I folded the pouch.

6. Lay the quilted fabric on top of the lining.

7. Using a rotary cutter cut away the fabric which is bigger than the quilted fabric.

7. Choose a thread that is the same colour as the lining for the pouch.

8.  Lay the wrong sides of the fabric together.

9.  Stitch 1/4 inch around the two layers using a 2.5 stitch length

10. Leave an opening about 2 inches wide so the pouch can be turned inside out.

11. Trim each of the 4 corners

12.  Turn the pouch inside out.

13. Using a knitting needle or paint brush handle poke out the corners.

14.  Iron flat.  Taking care to press the seams well.

15.  Cut a small piece of velcro.  Stitch the furry side to the top of the pouch. (Check it is the right end by folding it over)

16. Stitch the hook side of the velcro to the other end of the rectangle on the right side of the fabric.  Check again before it is stitched to make sure it sits properly and it is in the right place.

17. Fold up the pouch and stitch around the edge of the rectangle.  

18. The flap will be topstitched and the folded piece will be joined together.  Go around the whole pouch.  (sides, bottom and top)

Front

19.  There you have it a perfect little pouch.

Back

Another one made from another part of the quilted UFO.

Have fun creating your own wee pouch!!

Photography for the week

My gorgeous family

I captured these photos as my daughter was leaving to go back to university.  I want to say a big thank you to my beautiful family for always being there for me and being such a great bunch of people.

Pouches

I am making pouches from quilted fabric that I love but wasn't successful as an art quilt for the wall.  It is one way to reuse and repurpose something that is beautiful but can't be used for it's original purpose.

These little pouches are simple to make, gorgeous and very practical.  I have used them for women's feminine products, technology (ie phones,  MP4 players, IPods) Lipstick/makeup holders for your purse, jewellry pouches and hair tie/clip containers.

They are soft and slip into your handbag really easily.

They are fully lined and have a velcro fastening which keep all your belongings intact..

You can make them what ever colour you like.....

With any type of lining......

In any colour.......

And with any texture on them......

They make stunning gifts........

And are only limited by your imagination.

Stay tuned for next week when I will 

post a blog on how you make them.  

My quilting studio

My studio was beginning to resemble the local dump or refuse station.  It seems to be the place where everything goes with no home or  things that are needed later that can't fit in the house.  I have in there at the moment carpet, 2 spare beds, the recycling,  some old bottles my boys found under the house,  the cat cage, a desk I had been waiting for someone to help me put up and lots of bits bobs and pieces.

This week I have had enough!!! I spent a few day cleaning it out and reorganising the furniture so it works more efficiently.  It is really important to set up your space to work for you.  Everyone works so differently and can work in quite mediums so it would mean everyone's studios work differntly.

I work in separate work areas wet, dry, reading and sketching  and book work.  I also have to have a rest each day since I have a large family and would burn out too quickly if I didn't.  So Some of my needs in my studio are a rest area, somewhere to read and sketch, a paint area,  a quilting area and a desk.

I have had a desk that I wanted to use but I had never put up before.  I had asked both people in the house who had put it before to help me but they said they couldn't possibly remember.  I gave up after asking them 5 times and figured it out on my own.  It took a while but it is done.

It feels great to have a tidy space again and one that isn't filled up with junk zappy energy.  I think this has been one reason that my creative flow has been zapped a little lately by the mess.  It has much better flow and the areas I need a much better defined.

I have made a little reading, sketchbook and hand work nook by the door.  As we go into summer I will have a nice cool area to sit and work in in the afternoons.

I have opened the space up a bit and made it easier to get around furniture.

I have put all my art sketchbook supplies in one corner so I am not walking backwards and forward to much to other areas of the room.  I have also made up the bed that has been stored in here so I can use it when I have sickies or when I need an afternoon cat nap :)

So I think I will celebrate my achievements this week with a well earned play with paint and texture!!  

Have a great day!!!!!  I will be :)