Popular Pouch! (With tutorial)

Of the seven projects I made for the  Bernina Master Craftsters series for Craftster, the most popular one has been this zippered pouch (posing below with the Bernina 380).  Of the 20+ projects in the series, this was the first one to make it into the "Hot New Projects" category, based on reader's interest.

It's just my regular ol' pouch, but I think what makes it so appealing to Craftster readers is the fabric combination.  I got these fabrics at Sew Mama Sew a while ago, just because they looked cute, without any plan for how to use them; but when it came time to choose fabrics for my Master Craftster projects, I grabbed these first, because I was going for the brightest colors in my stash! 

I was floored when I got the weekly e-mail (below) from Craftster with the Project of the Week--they chose my zippered pouch! (Leslieshappyheart is my Craftster username.)  This is probably the most exciting thing that has happened to me in a while!

Whimsical Zippered Pouch by Leslieshappyheart	Share:
	Lined zippered pouches make great gifts and are wonderful little organizational tools. Toss one in a backpack or in your desk drawer to house your favorite mini sewing kit. Leslieshappyheart shared her zippered pouch tutorial, complete with lining and a little button. Personalize yours with various fabrics, buttons, zipper pulls and even embroidery. If you make one, bask in the glory and share some pictures on the Purses, Bags & Wallets Board.

Happy sewing, Craftster Team And now, I give you the tutorial, just as it appears on the Craftster website.  If you make one of these pouches, I'd love to know about it! Whimsical Zippered Pouch using the BERNINA 380 I love making zippered pouches! They make great gifts and you can easily personalize them with your choice of fabrics and embellishments. I made this simple pouch to test-drive the BERNINA 380. Start by cutting your fabrics. For the lining, cut two pieces 6 1/2" x 9". For the outside, cut two pieces of your main fabric (the blue print in this picture) 5" x 9". Cut two pieces of your secondary fabric (the orange stripe) 2" x 9". Using a 1/4" seam, sew the secondary fabric strips onto the main fabric pieces, as in the picture. The fabric choice makes all the difference between an ordinary pouch and a great pouch--this bright, whimsical print and matching stripe are really great! I made two of these pouches, one without embellishment, and one with this blue ribbon trim. If you want to use the ribbon, sew it in place now. To give the pouch more body, I added iron-on interfacing to both the outside pieces and both lining pieces at this point. Now to add the zipper! Layer one outer piece and one lining piece on each side of the zipper, as shown in the photo below. (The fabrics are staggered in the photo so you can see how they are layered; to sew them, match the left edges of both fabrics, but leave the zipper extending past them, as in the photo.) Since this is an exposed zipper, I'm just using the basic sewing foot (rather than the zipper foot). The amazing thing about the BERNINA 380 is that there are nine needle positions, from left to right, so you can easily arrange everything just the way you want it. I'm sewing with the needle in the farthest left position, very close to to the zipper teeth. Then flip the fabrics over and topstitch, again with the needle in the left-most position. Repeat on the other side of the zipper, sewing the outer fabric and lining in place, then flipping the fabrics and topstitching. When you have done both sides it will look like the picture below. Now to sew around the sides. First, open the zipper half-way (you will sew the sides with the zipper in this position). Then flip the fabrics so the two outer sides are touching, right sides together, and the lining pieces are also touching, right sides together. Pin everything in place. The zipper will be folded so there is a small bump at the two sides; make sure the bump is pushed down towards the lining. Sew all around the edge, leaving a 4" opening at the bottom of the lining. That's right, you sew right over the zipper! Trim off the ends of the zipper, even with the seams. Sew a 1" gusset in each of the four corners. Sewing the gussets is simplified on the BERNINA 380 by the marked 1/8" measurements on the throatplate. To turn it right side out, reach in and open the zipper all the way, then turn it. Press under the raw edges of the opening in the bottom of the lining, and stitch it shut. Push the lining down inside the pouch and smooth it out. Hot off the sewing computer! (Yes, that's what it's called in the manual--it's a sewing computer, not a sewing machine!!!) I added the orange button for a little more interest. After pressing it with the iron, I finished the pouch with a flower charm tied on with a ribbon. Small touches like this can really personalize your creations. My zippered pouch is now ready to be given away!