Friday, June 7, 2013

How to – zippy pouches, and a Giveaway

I have been making lots of clear vinyl see through zippy pouches lately.  They make wonderful gifts, are great for storing all the bits and pieces needed for a project, holding  an embroidery and the threads being used, for taking things to a class, as a pencil case or storage case for a variety of things.  I cannot claim that this is an “original” – although how I make it is different from other tutorials/patterns I have seen, and I have not used a pattern or tutorial to make mine.
They can be made to any size – I will give the measurements for the one I am making, but  by altering the size of the fabric pieces and zipper it can be enlarged or reduced to suit any requirement.
My fabrics for this pouch:
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main fabric (gold), contrast fabric (blue leaves), binding, (dark blue –  at bottom), batting, vinyl, zipper
Things to help :  wonder clips, glue pen,
These zippy pouches can be made using leftovers from another project, a fat eighth, or other smallish pieces in your stash.
Cutting:
Main fabric – back of pouch and zipper surrounds    1     11” x 13”                                                                                                       
                                                                                     1     2 1/2" x 14"
                                                                                     1     2 1/2” x 14”
                                                                                     4    1 1/2” x 2”

contrast fabric – inside of pouch                                   1      11” x 13”

Binding fabric –  21/4 inches wide by at least 50 inches – join as necessary to make this length

Batting – I used cotton, but can be whatever you like   1     11” x 13”  
  
zipper – at least 2 inches longer than width of pouch – in this case, at least 15 inches – but can be longer if that is what you have.  It will be cut to size.

Quilters vinyl a little wider than fabric – trim later          1      10” x 14”

Thread for quilting and constructing pouch

Household or paper scissors to cut zipper
Other items that may  help:  Wonder clips,  glue pen,

you can use a leather needle if you have them, though I dont always do so.  I often use a universal needle and it has been fine


Sandwich the 2 11 x 13 main and contrast pieces with the wadding between,  mark quilting lines if desired, and quilt as you prefer.  I usually do a 2 1/2 inch crosshatch pattern, but it can be whatever your preference is.  Does not need to be closely quilted, just enough to hold layers together.
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When quilted, press lightly to smooth out (optional) and trim back to make all edges neat and even.  Usually needs only 1/4 inch from each side, but – size really doesnt matter so much with this project.
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Now to work on the zipper section:  I enclose the ends of the zipper with the 2 x 1 1/2 inch fabric pieces, then cut off the zipper ends, leaving a matching fabric tab at each end.  This results in a neater and easier finish.
Place 1 2” x 1 1/2” piece right side up. Place zipper bottom end right side up on top, leaving approx 1/2 inch between edge of fabric and metal tab of zipper, Place another fabric piece right side down on top of zipper (see photos)  Dotted line indicates stitching line.

Stitch across on stitching line ..  Reinforce the stitching over the zipper teeth.  (reverse and forward a couple of times, slowly.)  Now cut off metal tab of zipper, using household scissors,  and press fabric pieces open over that end of the zipper.
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Now for the other end.
Lay zipper on top of the 13 inch side of quilted fabric,
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Left hand side in above photo – 3/4 inch between edge of quilted piece and start of exposed zipper teeth.
Right hand side –  partly open zipper pull. (VERY IMPORTANT IF YOU WANT TO OPEN THE ZIPPER)  sandwich zipper in same way as other end, with the stitching line 3/4 inches from right hand edge of quilted fabric.  Remove zipper from quilted piece, being careful to keep zipper and small fabric pieces in place.  Again stitch and reinforce stitching over teeth.  Make sure the 2 sides of the open zipper are touching as you stitch.
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Open and close the zipper before cutting off the ends just to be sure it is working right, then using household scissors cut off the unwanted ends from the top of the zipper. Press fabric ends out over zipper end.
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Now all that is left of that part is to trim off the sides level with the sides of the zipper. Leave the ends long at this stage.
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Doesnt that look rather neat.
Now to put the strips to the sides of the zipper.
Take the 2 1/4 inch piece of fabric, fold in half lengthwise with wrong sides together.  Press well.  Pin to the top side of the zipper, with the fold aligned along the outside of the zipper teeth.
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Using a zipper foot, stitch close to the edge, being careful to not catch the teeth at all. I move the needle to the left so it will stitch close to the edge.  When you get to near the zipper pull, pause, lift zipper foot with needle still down in fabric, and open the zipper till the pull is out of the way. (with some machines you may need to raise the needle to be able to do so.)
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Cool. Now take your 2 1/2 x 14  inch piece.  Fold in half lengthways, wrong sides together, press, open out, and press each long raw edge into the middle – like bias binding.  Now press in half again.
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Pin the folded edge along the other side of the zipper teeth.  The open edge (at bottom) is where the vinyl will be inserted.
Stitch as per the previous strip.
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Now the  vinyl piece.
If possible buy  quilters vinyl from your LQS – it is stronger. 
Do not pin through the vinyl – obviously the pin hole will stay so will look bad, but also will weaken the vinyl.
It is sometimes difficult to see the edges of the vinyl to cut it so I usually cut it a little bigger and trim it at a later stage.  (not much bigger, just 1/2 inch or so).
Wonder clips hold it well wherever you can use them – eg when stitching on binding.  Also a glue pen or similar will hold help the vinyl to the fabric until it is stitched.
The vinyl may stick to your machine and will be difficult to get to feed through as you stitch.  Sometimes just holding it up with your left hand will help.  Or put a piece of photocopy paper on the side of the machine next to the feed dogs, and under the vinyl.  A teflon foot may help also.
STITCHING THE VINYL:
The vinyl is pushed up in the  binding-like part of the last piece sewn on to the zipper.  I run the glue stick along the inside of the bottom one, put in the vinyl, then run the glue stick along the vinyl and push the top layer onto the vinyl.  It is now sandwiched between the binding piece. Make sure the vinyl is inserted as far as possible towards the zipper.  Stitch carefully so as to get a good straight line, and be sure of catching both top and bottom layers (I stitch a teeny bit further away from the edge of the fabric to  be sure)
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Hold up like this, or put a piece of paper under the vinyl like this.
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The vinyl is now enclosed in the fabric strip.
Time to trim it all up.
Pin the top edge of the zipper/vinyl piece(fabric part) to the top edge of the quilted piece.

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Trim the vinyl off level with the bottom edge.  Now secure that edge with 2 or 3 wonder clips if you have them.
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You may find it easier to trim with the ruler off the pouch like above, as the zipper can make it difficult to get a clean, straight cut.
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secure each edge with wonder clips as you trim it.
Now it is time to add the binding.  The binding is pressed in half lengthwise, wrong sides together as for any quilt.  Start at the top edge, and sew along each side, mitring the corners.as you go.  Join the binding in your usual fashion when you complete stitching it down. 
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Turn to the back and hand stitch.  Use the wonder clips to hold the binding while you are hand stitching as well- they hold it so much more securely.
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There is your completed pouch, waiting for you to fill it.with your current small project.

A link to a printable version is available here  Please let me know if you try this and it doesnt work.  I havent used it before.

This is quite a long tutorial, and as I make these zippy pouches quite often and know the process so well, I am not sure if I have made the directions clear enough.  Please feel free to let me know if anything is not clear, or if you get totally confused.  I will then attempt to explain it better.
        *   *   *   *   *   *  
And now the Giveaway.  As I already have a collection of zippy pouches, I am going to give this one away.  It will contain some mystery goodies (mystery to me too at this stage).  So what do you need to do?  Just come and visit and say hi.  That is all.  Nothing else – .  I will draw the winner next Friday.

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40 comments:

Wendyb said...

❤❤❤wheeeeee!!! I'm first!!! And soooo proud of you Marilyn! I loooove these pouches....I can see this tutorial getting a good workout at my house!!! Xxxx big sugary hugs
Wendy :0)

Unknown said...

So that makes me the second? :) love the pouch Marilyn.....

Joy said...

Love the pouch, I treasure the one you made for me Marilyn, now I'll be able to make some for gifts too. Thanks for the fabulous tutorial!!!
Big hugs
Joy xxx

Dawn said...

Adorable...now to make some...thanks for sharing how.
Hugs x x

Dawn said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing your tutorial, Marilyn. Love the pouch. :) xxx

bettsylyn (Lynda) said...

you did a great job Marilyn. I will be having a go at this. I've decided you can never have too many zippy purses. :)

wendy said...

thanks for sharing Marilyn, looks like another thing to have a go at,hmmm different sizes to fit in Toni's wheelchair bag, then they wont have to upend everything at SCOSA to find what they need, long skinny one for straws and larger one for spare clothes and underwear, one for here plate and cutlery, yes i am having ideas, not always safe to be around when i have ideas lol, thanks again

Teresa said...

Thanks so much for the tutorial Marilyn. You know how much I love mine but I am definitely going to try and make another one as well. Your instructions are photos are great. Thank you xx

Sandra :) said...

That's cute - and a great use of those Clover clips (which I bought a few months ago, and haven't used yet, lol)! I have a teflon foot - it's great for sewing vinyl - the clips will make it even easier!

barbara woods said...

love your tute thanks

De said...

Thank you so much Marilyn! I plan to do mine over the weekend...will let you know how I go!

Fiona said...

Wonderful... thanks for sharing your lovely pouch .... and lots of great tips....
Hugz

Anonymous said...

gorgeous,thankyou for the tutorial marilyn,love it.xx

Simone Harding said...

How cute. I have printed off the instructions and will be in the lookout for materials.

Susan said...

Marilyn, this sounds great - thanks so much for putting so much work into creating this tutorial - It looks like they might be part of the "uniform" for Brisbane blog meets!!...will I make a purple one??

Lyn said...

Thank you for the instructions, and the link worked just fine. I think they will be very handy to pop things in..like your little zippy purse as well.

Narelle said...

Oh Marilyn, Thank you so much for the tutorial i just love the zippy pouches that you made the girls that i saw in Adelaide and they are just beautiful. I am going to make some so thank you once again for sharing.
Big Hugs
Narelle

Vicki ♥ said...

Thanks so much Marilyn for this fab tutorial. I hope to make some soon too for some pressies. They look terrific :) hugs Vicki xxx

debbie said...

thank you Marilyn for such a nice and detailed tutorial, well done!xx debbie

Chrissie said...

Great idea, thanks for sharing the tutorial and your tips. Enjoy your weekend

Christine M said...

Thanks for the tutorial. I keep avoiding zips but may just have to give it a try!

Gill said...

Thanks for the tutorial Marilyn - I love the neat ends for the zip!

Mrs Shepo said...

Great tutorial Marilyn, very easy to follow, YES!!! the printable version works, now to give it a Cheers Pat.XX

Mrs Shepo said...

Sorry,,, missed "go"

A Consuming Passion said...

Oh so glad I found your tutorial! I have a little project ready to go and was trying to work out how to add the Zip......Thanks so much, your picture tutorial makes it look doable.

Anthea said...

Hi Marilyn, what a great tutorial, the pics are so clear & helpful too, well done & thanks.
Thanks too for the chance to win one of your wonderful pouches, count me in please!

SuperMomNoCape said...

You did a great job making this tutorial. I can see why you made so many of them. They would be very handy to have to putting projects in and for giving as gifts.

Nancy Page said...

Just stopping by to say hello - Hello! Thank you for this great tutorial. Looks like a great little pouch for small sewing projects. Thank you for this great chance to win.

Have a super great sewing and stitching day.

Anonymous said...

Hello, I love the pouches and your tute is great, I think I may be able to make one of these following your great instructions, thank you.
(smjohns63 at yahoo dot com)

Stitching Lady said...

Hi Marilyn, this is a very clear tutorial. If II was at home I would start to sew it tomorrow - but I am not in G but in Croatia - holidays with very little material. And of course no
Patchwork or fabric shop around but much seawater.
Love

Deb R said...

a great tutorial thanks!

Jusmom1 said...

Hi Marilyn!

I popped over here at Wendy's suggestion and have found another great place to visit! I love your tute on the pouch and would love to win your giveaway. Thanks for the chance!

Tatkis said...

Wow, such a great tutorial, thank you so much!
I'd love to win the secret ;)

Hugs,
Tatyana

linny said...

Love the zippy bags. So handy in all different sizes. Thanks for the giveaway. lyn.robyn.smith@gmail.com

Bev C said...

A clear concise tutorial Marilyn, one can never have enough of these.Thank you for the chance to enter your lovely giveaway.

Happy days.
Bev.

Helen said...

Thank you Marilyn for a great tutorial and a chance to win your lovely pouch. Helen :-))))

Dianne said...

You have put a lot of work into this fab tutorial, Marilyn. Well done! I have saved it into favourites to do on a rainy day. A friend gave me three of these little pouches for my birthday and they have been very useful on our trips away! Di.

Noela said...

Thanks for the tutorial Marilyn. Will print it out and hope to get to make some when I get ahead of all the things in progress already. Hugs....

Anonymous said...

HELLO,loved this tutorial! Thanks so much for your blog+giveaway too! msstitcher1214@gmail.com