A Few Practical Pouches

A friend who is so sweet and kind sent me an Etsy gift card for my birthday in November. A dollar for each year I have been here on Earth, and no I won't tell you how long that is, but quite a while, 😄. I told her she my angel or fairy because she has sent me many things before like fabric and webbing, etc. for making the purses that I donate to Sew Powerful Purse Project (which she is also supporting and donating to and how we met online). 

I bought 3 things from the Etsy gift card: a stamp that says, Handmade with Love in New Mexico, that has the shape of the state of New Mexico with a heart on it. I wanted to use that to stamp on the gift cards for the cards that I place into the pocket of the purses that I donate to Sew Powerful. I could also stamp on fabric for a label for the purse, but I do have a stamp with my name on it that I am using for that. The next thing I bought was a pdf pattern from Rosie & David patterns called Practical Pouches, which is what I am sharing today in this blog post. And the third item is some purple denim material to make purses for the girls in Zambia. The color of the denim was a bright pinkish purple on the computer, but I received a dull lavender shade and was a bit disappointed as I loved the color on the computer screen. I will still use use it for the purses, as I am not making the purses for me, although had it been the correct color I saw, I would have made myself a small bag. I did review the item and let them know I was disappointed as the color was completely different from what they showed. Thank you so much Karen for the gift card!

Here are a few Practical Pouches that I made. Size XXL, XL, and 2 large pouches. The pattern includes 6 sizes, 5 with 2 zipper pockets and the mini size has one zipper pocket. All have clear vinyl on the front pocket. I have one of the each of the other sizes cut out and ready to sew up, except that I ran out of double-sided basting tape, which is an important part of making these pouches, so I ordered more from someplace on Etsy and hopefully it will arrive this week or next. Meanwhile, I am sewing purses. 

Some of the fabrics that I used for making these purses also were given to me by Karen, my Sew Powerful sewing fairy/angel! I thought that large floral print belonged on the XXL pouch, since it was a large print and it needed a project to show of the beauty of the print. I used some Renaissance Ribbon on the XL size with the French wording, bicycle and flowers print and that ribbon (along with more ribbon in other prints and sizes was from Karen too). I thought that ribbon was perfect for the XL pouch I made. The other pouches, I used a glitter ribbon. The ribbon is needed to cover the zipper tape and join the 2 zippers together.

This is the XXL size and this size is great for storing a pattern in the back zip pocket. I have my knitting instructions in that pocket currently as I am knitting a sweater. This size is so handy for any project to store the instructions or templates in.

Another look at the XXL with 2 sizes of my circular knitting needles that I am using to knit the sweater. I can also place my other tools that I use in this pocket too.

The large sizes are on the top and bottom and the XL in the middle. Most of the sizes of these pouches go up in size gradually until you get to the XXL and that size as you saw in the photos jumps in size a lot. The center pouch, the XL was the first one I made and I zigzagged stitched the binding. The other I decided to hand sew on like a quilt binding to make it look neater from both sides. Rosie straight stitches hers.

I had to make some modifications to make these pouches work because the pattern calls for a 4.5 zipper, which is the same size tape width as the size 5 zippers that I use, so I thought I could use what I have. What I discovered after making the XL size is that the difference in a 4.5 and 5 size zipper isn't the width of the zipper tape, but rather the size of the zipper teeth! 4.5 zipper teeth are narrower and looks like a #3 zipper, except for the #3 has a narrower 1-inch width zipper tape and the 4.5 (and #5) zipper tape is a 1.25" width tape. At first, I couldn't understand why my pouch wasn't quite aligning correctly, but then looking closer at Rosie's pouches, I realized that was the difference between the 4.5 & 5 sizes. So I adjusted the next pouches I cut out a bit higher, so I could lower the zipper down a bit lower to fit. I still had to trim excess off the bottom after I sewed the second zipper, but it wasn't much and it worked. By allowing more height, I wasn't losing the height when sewing the second zipper in place. Okay, I know that probably doesn't make sense to you unless you make one of these pouches, but keep in mind if you do make one and use a #5 zipper you will need to adjust the height a smidge or lose a smidge in height. Oh, and #3 zippers won't work at all as the tape is too narrow.

Oh, and I also made modifications to use cotton fabric only. I added interfacing as well. Rosie suggests waterproof canvas or ripstop nylon.

The video instruction is free to watch. The pdf you need for the pouch sizes/templates. The pdf is on sale 20% off for 2 more days!

I will share the other sizes I make once I get my double-sided tape.

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2 Clear View Project Bags

These 2 bags were a custom order. Karen sent me the fabrics she wanted to use for the bags. I chose the placements of the fabrics. They have clear front windows to see what's inside the bags. I also added a clear window on the front stripe fabric to hold a label of what's inside or her name.  The bags have boxed corners that fold flat when not in use. They hold a lot of stuff too. She was pleased with the bags, which is always so nice to hear.

Both bags. They each have the striped exterior fabric, but the lining fabrics are different. One is colorful wavy stripes on black background and the other has colorful cats on a black background. Karen loves cats. There are carry handles that flopped behind in this photo, but you can see them in the other photos below.

Front of one project bag. 

I added a clear window on the striped fabric she could add a label of what is inside the bag. 

Even though you can see into the clear large window, it isn't always apparent as to what project might be inside or what other items you put into the bag.

Back side of bag.

I added a clear window on the striped fabric of this bag too. 

Butterfly button on zipper end tab.

Zipper closure with handmade charm on pull.

Looking down inside one bag.

Looking down inside the other bag.

Boxed bottom expands to hold more stuff.

Bag pulled flat for storage.

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Perfectly Clear Bag

The Perfectly Clear Bag by ChrisW Designs is available now for purchase! There is a full video tutorial too (video link in pdf pattern). 

Introductory Offer – 20% Off - NO CODE NEEDED - One Week only (Sale Ends Midnight Monday 6th November Australia Eastern Standard Time)

The links are:

International website here: https://www.chriswdesigns.com/.../perfectly-clear-bag-pdf...

Aussie website here: https://chriswdesigns.com.au/.../perfectly-clear-bag-pdf.../

YouTube Trailer: https://youtu.be/gKbYvLQZ7W0

Blog Post: https://www.chriswdesigns.com/.../introducing-the...

Here is my Perfectly Clear Bag that I tested for Christine. It can be made with clear vinyl or a patterned clear vinyl or a combination, or all solid vinyl too. This was my first time using a patterned clear vinyl. I like how many patterns are out there now. Some prints of see-through vinyl are a bit busy and I wanted just a hint of a pattern to make this bag, so I chose this vinyl with a colorful hatch markings on it. Plenty see-through enough.

Bag measures 9 ½” Wide x 7 ½” High x 3” Deep.

Made with clear printed vinyl for the pockets and a solid vinyl for the bottom of the bag.

I used webbing for the handle and added a decorative stitch in a variegated soft pink thread. I like how it looks. There are D-rings I added in case I wanted to add the optional cross body strap later on. But I think I will use this bag for small knitting or sewing projects.

These yarn skeins fit into the front zipper pocket. There is another zip pocket on the back side, so 2 zipper pockets to hold plenty of stuff for a relatively small bag.

Close up of the pattern on the vinyl.

Back of the bag is the same as the front.

This was the first all vinyl bag I have ever made. I have used a clear vinyl window with cotton fabrics for making project bags before, but all vinyl was a first for me and while it wasn't too difficult to sew, I could use with some more practice! The other testers made some absolutely incredible bags with their vinyl choices! They have all sewn with vinyl much more than I have.

This bag can be made with all solid vinyl or cork or leather and not clear vinyl if you want to also. On Christine's blog you can see her solid vinyl bag too. Plus, check out all of the testers bags too. They are really gorgeous!!! 

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Clear Project Bags & Portable Pockets Too!

Here are some project bags that I made a few months ago. One was for myself and one for a friend. I enlarged the size of the project bag by Rosie & David patterns (Rosie's Art Studio) because I wanted a larger bag for myself and wanted to make sure it worked before making another one for my friend. It turned out great! So here they are.

This was my project bag that I enlarged a bit.

I love this bottom of this project bag as it stand up like a tote bag, but when you pull the bottom sides it flattens the bottom, making it easier to store when not in use.

Here is the folded flattened bottom.

This is the enlarged project bag that I made for my friend.

I filled it with yarn I had to show how much it can hold.

The back side of her bag.

I had some leftover fabric, so I made all 3 sizes of Portable Pockets (Around the Bobbin pattern) to match the project bag. Portable pockets are great to have to carry those little items in that could get lost in a large bag or when you just need extra pockets for your bag.

The 3 sizes of Portable Pockets showing the front sides with them unzipped to see the linings.

Zipped closed here.

Backside of the Portable Pockets have divided mesh pockets, but for the smallest size I added a Kam snap because I felt the pocket was too small to sew and divide the pocket in half. The snap makes it easier to get your hand inside to retrieve your small item. I added a small rivet at the top of the larger PP where the pockets are divided in 2.

The large project bag I first made is on the left and then I enlarged the large size to create an extra large size that is on the right for comparison.

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Gnome Bee Project Bag with Clear Front Window

One of my friend's and I both have birthdays in November, so we like to get together and celebrate sometime during the month of November. This year we each worked on our our projects together. Tara cut fabric for new projects, while I was sewing. It was a nice peaceful way to enjoy our birthdays together and do something sewing related too.

Afterwards, we had lunch together and exchanged gifts. I made Tara a project bag with a clear window to see inside and added an appliqué on the back. Tara and I both love gnomes and since she is a beekeeper now, I found a gnome bee somewhere online and created an appliqué that I stitched on the back of the bag. I also "made" a couple of scarf pins (I say made, but I only glued the little stick-pin part on it) and I also "made" a key fob wristlet, using poly webbing. 

Here is the Project Bag with the clear vinyl window I made for Tara. One of my favorite color combinations is blue & yellow. I think because when I was young I had a bedspread of daisies with yellow centers and blue background. My sister had the same bedspread in a different colorway of pink and green or was it just pink and the green were the leaves? Hmm...it was something like that. My sister has always loved pink and green together. Anyhow, on with the photos, lol!

Project bag with clear vinyl window. The yellow fabric is seen through the clear window.

I fused a butterfly from a piece of fabric I had (I didn't have a bee fabric

 to fuse and the gnome is a bee already). The end tip of his hat is a felt wool ball I hand stitched in place much like you would stitch a pincushion (in an asterisk shape) and added a few French knots in the center.

You can see the wool ball better here with the stitching.

Key fob made with blue webbing.

I made" these 2 shawl/scarf pins out of glass and glued the metal stick part of the pin on the back. I also added a silicone back closure thingee (so technical I am!) to keep the pin in place. I prefer the silicone closure thing to the metal ones, as they grip better and I don't like pinching the metal parts to put the pin on. I bought heart shaped closures with glitter in them. I thought it best to get clear so the color wouldn't show from the front side (if it could show through). (Scroll to end to see photos).

I was having issues with various other shawl/scarf pins falling out of my knit shawls and scarves, so that is what got me thinking about making some of my own. I made 5 different glass ones and I had to buy them in packs of 10, so I have extras made. Only one is a tad larger than the others. These work best in finer knitting (lace, fingering, sport weight yarns). I will use those other stick type shawl pins (made from wood or metal) for heavier weight yarns that the stick won't slip out so easily. Plus those other stick pins if they are too thick, they won't fit through the knitting without damaging the knitting or creating a hole that might not close back up after the stick is removed. I guess I am opinionated about such things, lol!

After nearly losing a shawl pin in the past (I retraced my steps and found it lying on the ground), I knew I needed to make my own pins as no one was that I could find. And not many were making practical shawl pins out of other materials either. I guess those people aren't knitters or do crochet? Perhaps there isn't a market for shawl pins and that is why I couldn't find any practical ones? But I solved my problem by making these myself and they can also be used in other materials like on a coat, blouse, etc. However, they could make a hole in a blouse that is made with fine material. Okay I blabbed on enough!

I received some nice gifts from Tara too. Tara gave me some lovely soft Merino wool yarn and a sock yarn in a variegated color, which she put into a basket and gave me the basket too. Plus, she loves paper crafting and upcycling paper stuff (like cards, calendars, etc.), so there were a lot of little cards and such that were placed into a larger cone shaped open envelope-like thing (sorry, I don't know what to call that, but it was so cute) and that created a really nice presentation.

The basket of yarn Tara gave to me.

Basket of soft Merino yarn.

This is the envelope thingee that Tara placed all the cards that she made to give to me. It looks so pretty and festive!

The upcycled cards and envelope that Tara made and gave to me.

Here are the 5 different shawl/scarf pins that I made.

This is the clear silicone heart-shaped pin back with glitter.

Can you believe December starts tomorrow? Geesh, the world is spinning by so fast!

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