Round Pencil Pouch Pattern

Sometimes you see a fabric and you just know!

You know, I have decided to make this zipper pouch obsession of mine into a series of patterns for you, exploring all of the different sorts of zipper pouches one by one. What do you think?

Perfect as a pencil case!

So far we have a half moon one and a pyramid one and this time, I would like to add a round one which can be scaled up to make a knitting needle bag or made smaller, such as this one for a pencil pouch. I am still thinking about the knitting bag and when I to do it, I will make a separate post with sizes on for you.

This must be one of the easiest pouches that i have ever made - I know that I always say that but as usual, I really mean it!

I am using a light canvas and a favourite metal zipper but do feel free to choose anything and of course, it uses next to no fabric so it is a great use for a treasured fat quarter.

As you can see, you need next to nothing to make this pouch! Note the two colours of thread though, one to match the lining.

It would also be marvellous as a quilt-as-you-go pattern where you could use scraps to create the main body....ooooh the possibilities!

It looks so rustic with the leather label too.

But for today, let's keep it simpler and make a 8" one because I need a pencil case!

This one is going straight into my art kit.

So what do we need....
Fabric:
- FQ of some delicious canvas or lightweight furnishing fabric
- FQ coordinating lining
Interfacing:
- I am using style-vil foam interfacing by Vlieseline
Everything else:
- 7" metal zipper to match
- something to decorate the zipper pull. My choice is a thin piece of leather.
- matching thread
- fabric glue
- your usual sewing needs

NOTE: this is a cut an measure pattern so no worries about printing and matching templates! 

If you are not in need of a pencil case, this would also be great for things like crochet hooks.

Cutting:
The canvas:

• 2 pieces 5 1/4" wide x 9" long for the main outers
• 2 round pieces 3 1/2"  diameter for the ends
• 2 pieces 1 1/2" sq. for the zipper end tabs

The lining:

• 2 pieces 5 1/4" wide x 9" long for the main lining
• 2 round pieces 3 1/2" diameter for the ends
• 2 pieces 1 1/2" sq. for the zipper end tabs
• 22" bias binding for the raw inside seams

There are no cutting notes for the foam interfacing. I will show you how to deal with that as we go along.

Let's begin by prepping the zipper. We need to add some tabs to the ends and to be honest, I just glue these on because the close stitching surrounding them will keep them beautifully secure.

Take the outer tabs and the lining ones and turn one end over by 1/4"

Just finger press to get the edge.

Now take one of each and glue them wrong sides together to one end of the zipper (the lining one on the underside of course)

The tabs are larger than you need at first to make them easier to handle.

Repeat for the other end and then trim so that they are 1" long each and the same width as the zipper tape

The glue also stops the canvas from fraying until there is nothing left.

Next step is to prepare the sides. Take a piece of outer and a slightly larger piece of foam interfacing and attach the outer with a very narrow basting seam

Make this basting seam quite narrow so that it will hide inside the seam allowance when you are finished.

Now trim the foam back 

This is so simple to use but this step must not be skipped! Good interfacing is a must for a professional result.

And repeat for the other piece so that you have two pieces like this

I am so in love with this fabric!

Do the same on the ends for the round bits

Okay, we have the beginnings of a pouch! If you have a label that you like to use, you can add it now to one of the side pieces.

My leather label is homemade but you can use any sort - or leave it out, the choice is yours! It is quite important to get it right in the centre of the panel so measure well.

Next take the prepped zipper and one outer plus one lining and pin or clip them together to make a sandwich. Using the zipper foot for you machine, sew right along

A zipper foot is the best way. You need to get quite close to the zipper teeth.

Now flip the layers the right way out and topstitch along the zipper

Adore the topstitching - it makes the item look so much more professional.

Repeat for the other side so that you have something that looks like this now

We are on our way now!

Some of patterns for these round pouches happen all in one piece but that makes it impossible to topstitch along the zipper. I like to do this because it stops the lining from coming up and being caught in the zipper teeth.

Next sew the outer together at the base

A simple straight stitch closes the base.

And sew the lining base seam too and turn the right way out

When you do the lining you will end up with this odd puzzle. Just ignore it and when you turn the pouch out the right way, it will all fall into place. Concentrate on the canvas outer and the lining will follow.

I have hand basted the layers together on the ends to achieve a bit of stability

Hand basting makes the next bit easier. Be prepared to alter the lining to make is smaller too. it can be a bit baggy. This is normal and not something that you have done wrong. 

The ends come next! Take an interfaced outer disc and a piece of lining and clip them wrong sides together. Baste to keep the lining in place. Repeat for the other one

I am actually thinking about making some coasters like these!

Turn the pouch inside out AND OPEN THE ZIPPER! Trust me, I have unpicked a few pouches because I forgot that and then couldn't open the zip from inside!

Clip the ends on, adjusting the ease to fit.

If you are having trouble with the fit, make little snips all around on the straight bit (the pouch body). They are only tiny but they help a lot. They should not be larger that 1/8" so that they can be hidden in the seam allowance.

These clips are so much better than pins!

Attach the ends and trim them

Done and ready for binding!

With your binding, bind the ends so that all of the nasty raw edges disappear forever

I have used a bit of binding left over from another project. But you can make it from your lining or buy it too. The only thing is that it must be bias and NOT straight binding to negotiate the curve,

Turn the right way out and decorate the zipper pull. Wowsers! Result!

There are lots of ways to decorate the zipper pull. This one is my favourite. But you can also use vegan leather, silver charms, beads or ribbon.

You can make this cute pouch in any size at all. This is sort of a mid range one which isn't too fiddly but you can make them bigger or smaller.

All done!

If you have enjoyed this pattern. Don't forget to check out my Etsy shop for more bag patterns - it is still a work in progress so your patience is very much appreciated!

I am off to make a doily too with a crochet edge from this same fabric!

Thank you for dropping by and see you again very soon!
Hugs
Debbie
xx

Cute Pyramid Pouch

Addicted to zipper pouches

Okay, here goes. My name is Debbie and I am a grown woman with a zipper pouch obsession. There. I have said it. I am utterly and hopelessly addicted. And I have no shame- I aim to addict everyone else around me too so watch out!

I wonder if I am alone in my addiction

To be honest, there are possibly worse addictions so I vote that we just go with this one! The best thing is that they are so beautifully quick and easy to make and they take next to no fabric so there are no excuses for not filling the house. 

This pyramid is the latest obsession

Today's offering is my take on the pyramid or triangle pouch that is about at the moment.

I can see myself making more of these

But before we get into that, I would like to take this opportunity for a shameless plug - I am developing my Etsy shop sewing patterns. This is a sort of very-early-indeed new year's resolution that I made about five years ago.

Gotta love a really useful tote!

So now it is happening! Do check out the shop here and let me know what you think. It is a slow process (I joined in 2012!) but I have plans!

Back to the task at hand then...

In the meantime, we need a free pattern to get us in the mood don't we!
Gather these supplies:
Fabrics
-F8th outer fabric. I am using a light canvas.
-F8th lining fabric to coordinate
Interfacing
-F8th style-vil foam interfacing (Vlieseline)
Everything else
-4 1/2" metal zipper
-something to decorate the zipper pull. I love a leather strip but you can use a charm, piece of ribbon or anything at all.
-fabric glue
-matching threads
-your usual sewing needs

This is a cut and measure pattern (like the ones in my Etsy shop). I really don't like the extra bother of printing off templates if I can get out of it. But remember to measure twice and cut once and always read the instructions through and assemble the ingredients before you start.

Off we go!
Begin by cutting out the pieces. You will need:

• 1 outer piece 6 1/2" x 12"
• 1 lining piece 6 1/2" x 12"
• 4 zipper end pieces 1 1/2" sq.
• 12" bias tape made from the lining fabric (you can use store bought too.

You really don't need very much fabric for one of these. Makes it a great scrap make.

There are no cutting notes for the interfacing. This is best sewn and trimmed as you go.

Prepare the zipper first. The end tabs are cut deliberately  slightly larger than needed and will be trimmed down. I like to glue these on rather than stitching. Don't worry, they cannot come undone because everything will be securely stitched around them. The choice is yours though.

Attach the the  tabs to either end of the zip using your favourite method

This is a great method and you will use it again and again. it stabilises the zipper ends perfectly.

Trim the end tabs to the width of the zipper tape (1") and so that the zip is 6 1/2" long

The zipper has to be the same length as the width of your fabric. In this case, 6 1/2".

Take the outer piece and attach it to the style-vil foam interfacing with a narrow basting stitch

The style-vil needs to be just a little larger all around and keep the tension on the fabric so that it is lovely and tight on the foam.

Trim the foam back when you have finished.

This foam will give great body to your pouch and look so much more professional

Take the interfaced outer, the zipper and the lining and place the outer and lining right sides together with the zipper sandwiched in between on one short end

Clips are my favourite!

Pin or clip and then sew along the zipper.

It is not so difficult!

Flip the layers over and topstitch along the length of the zipper

Love topstitching. It makes everything sit so nicely.

Now repeat for the other end - just the sewing of the zip for now because we have a decision to make....

Getting there.

We now have this rather odd arrangement

Looks like failure - but rest assured, it isn't!

If you turn it the right way out, there is no way that you can topstitch the other half of the zip. So why would we WANT to topstitch? Well it has several advantages

• it looks great
• it looks professional
• it secures that zip
• most importantly, it secures the lining meaning that it cannot migrate into the zipper teeth and get chewed up.

Right so you have two choices. You can opt to not topstitch at all and in this case, just omit the topstitching bit. If you like the topstitching though, simply fold the pouch in half down the back in the DEAD centre and cut it in half.

Yep! That's right! This flattens the pouch out and then you can topstitch and sew it back up again.

Do consider the merits of the topstitching before leaving it out. Especially the last one.

Honestly it is worth it and it is what I have done. The back will now look like this

I can live with this for the sake of a perfect front.

Okay, so that decision being made, we are ready to make a pyramid. Turn the pouch inside out and pinch the base like this

The inside can be as neat looking as the outside.

TIP: Have the zipper open for this bit!

Sew across (don't worry about the raw edges for a moment).

Sew across and then trim

Pinch the top in the opposite direction like this

This is the tricky bit that makes the pyramid shape

Sew across there too. Now use some binding to bind the edges

I ALWAYS do this bit by hand.

Binding can be made from a scrap of fabric.

It really makes the edges lovely. I hate zigzagging the edges. It is not neat enough!

Now turn the pouch out the right way (see why the zipper had to be open) and push the corner points out so that they are sharp.

Decorate the zipper pull and you are done!

A thin strip of leather or vegan leather sewn on in a matching perle coton looks fab!

I hope that you have enjoyed this tute. Don't forget, for more patterns, check out my Etsy shop and in the mean time, I am going away to dream up another pouch for us to make!
Hugs
Debbie