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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More Southwest Prints Portable Pockets in Small-Medium-Larges Sizes

19 more Portable Pockets in assorted Southwest fabric prints.

4 medium size in the same print, so showing 2 with the zipper side and 2 with the mesh pocket side.

4 medium size here as well.

These are the small sizes.

2 medium and one small.

2 large sizes.

This is a small size with the zipper side.

The small showing the mesh pocket side.

Medium with the zipper side.

Medium with the mesh side.

Here is a peek inside one of the Portable Pockets.

These are a large and a small size from the zipper side. I love this fabric and only had a small piece of it. It looks painted.

The mesh pocket side of the large and small.

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Eleven Portable Pockets (Small-Medium-Large) Zipper Pouches

I made eleven more Portable Pockets in Small-Medium & Large, depending on the amount of fabric I had left in each print I had. I think these zipper pouches are so handy and because they come in 3 sizes, they are great to make in any size you might need. I tested this pattern before it was released from Around the Bobbin over a year and a half ago.

I took a S-M-L (plus 2 more Medium sizes) to the gift shop to see if they would sell a couple of months ago and one of each size sold. So I then took these in and they accepted all eleven of them. I sold 2 small sizes, but not sure which ones as they group them by size. I thought the medium might be the best seller, but so far it looks like the small is. Maybe because it is priced less? Or maybe people like the smaller size? Who knows? I hope the other 9 sell and the other 2 medium I had in the shop when I brought these in will also sell, but time will tell. All were made in a variety of Southwest print fabrics.

Here are 2 in size large in 2 different Southwest Prints.

Here are 4 medium size pouches in 3 different Southwest prints. Somehow I put the mesh on the zippered pocket side of the lower right hand pouch. It looks fine, so I left it.

The mesh side has the pocket divided into 2 mesh pockets.

Medium and large sizes showing the divided mesh pockets. I put a little paper inside saying that this is a Portable Pocket and the size it is.

Medium and larges sizes from the zipper pocket side.

Set of 3 (s-m-l) in the same Southwest print.

5 small size pouches from the mesh pocket side. The small have a snap instead of a divided pocket as these are just too small to divide (in my opinion).

5 small sizes from the zipper pocket side. I know 2 of these sold, but I wonder which 2?

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(7) Portable Pockets in Southwest Fabric Prints

I made 7 total Portable Pockets in Southwest fabric prints. This is an Around the Bobbin pattern that I had tested awhile ago and just love these pockets. They are so handy for so many things and come in 3 sizes: Small (4' x 5"), Medium (5" x 6") & Large (6" x 8"). 

This print I made in all 3 sizes. You can store all of the Portable Pockets (PP) inside the large one.

This is the front side that has a zipper pocket. I used whatever zipper I had on hand that was the correct size and color that would work best with the print. I added a small key ring on to each of the tabs on the left too. You can add a hook or carabiner clip to clip it to your belt loop, bag strap or hardware on a bag, if you like. I took these to a local gift shop to see if they will sell. I priced each separately to see what if any sizes would sell, so I would know in case I make more to sell.

The back side has a divided mesh pocket, however the small size I feel is too small to divide in half with a stitching line, so I like to add a Kam snap on the small one instead. It allows you to still put items in the pocket and the snap allows you to open it and put your hand inside to get the items out easier. I decided to add a rivet at the top of the stitched lines on the medium and large sizes.

I only had enough of this fabric to make 2 medium sized PP. I also took these to the gift shop to sell them.

I forgot to add the rivets on the back, but they aren't called for anyhow.

Here is the lining I used.

These are Large and Medium sizes. I like this fabric and am keeping these for myself.

The back side showing the mesh pockets. The accent fabric is what I also used for the lining fabric.

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Portable Pockets a New Pattern From Around the Bobbin

Hello my sweet friends and followers, Around the Bobbin has just released a new pattern called Portable Pockets and I was delighted I was able to test this one. Or should I say three as the pattern includes 3 sizes.

If you pop over to Lisa's Blog, you will not only see all the tester's versions of Portable Pockets, but Lisa lists lots of ways you can use these adorable zipper pouches. I might also add to her list of 12 suggestions, that I would use a Portable Pocket or 2 to hold some of my knitting tools to be easily found in my larger knitting bag. 

Lisa also includes Bonus instructions for adding a waist strap to the large size pouch to turn it into a waist bag too. Or you could add a wrist strap or a cross body strap if you want to also. Such a versatile little bag(s)!

Plus the pattern is on sale for a 30% discount, use the coupon code PP30.

The coupon code is good now through Sunday, Oct. 23rd, midnight CST.  

Here are my 3 Portable Pouches in Batik fabrics inside and out, plus there are mesh pockets on the back of the pouches too!

Small-medium-large Portable Pockets, each with a zipper pocket on the front. You can add a keyring if you like to the tab on the left size, which I did on the small size.

I love this batik fabric and I made each size with a different colored zipper that picks up the colors of the batik print.

The back sides of each Portable Pocket have a mesh pocket that is divided in half.

 For the small size, I added a Kam snap instead of dividing the pocket as I thought it would be too fiddly and too small to get your fingers in those pockets in order to get out what was placed inside, so by adding the snap, the pocket can open fully to retrieve the item(s) inside the small size mesh pocket.

Interior batik fabric.

And when not in use, they nest inside of the larger Portable Pocket.

I know I will find lots of useful ways to use these Portable Pockets. They are quick and easy to make too. I cut all 3 and sewed each step one after the other so all 3 were done at the same time. 

Happy Sewing!

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Introducing the Trapeze Zip Pouches PDF & Video

I tested the set of 3 Trapeze Zip Pouches (small-medium-large sizes) from Chezvies recently, and while I was making them, I thought I would enlarge the largest size for fun and to add a wrist strap and a tab end. I shared this with the testing group and Elvira of Chezvies Patterns loved the the larger size and decided to include the extra large size as a Bonus in the pattern. She didn't include the wrist strap or tab end, but if you wanted to add that on any of the pouches, it wouldn't be hard to add.

This is such a fast, fun and easy to make zip pouch. They can nest together inside the largest size you make and are so useful for so many things. I loved testing these and it was the first time testing for Elvira, which was a pleasure.

The Trapeze Zipper Pouch pattern comes in 4 sizes which makes great organizer pouches for your stuff while traveling or going for classes/work. An easy and quick project to make, the pattern includes 4 templates and video tutorials.

It’s now at a special price, valid until February 3rd, 2022

Download the pattern at:

ETSY

CHEZVIES.com 

Here are my tester versions. I used different fabrics for each pouch because I wanted to see how they would look. Other testers made theirs in the same fabric so that they would all match. The choice is yours. The other great thing about these pouches is that it only requires a zipper and no hardware at all.

Small-medium-large and my extra large version that I added a strap and zipper end to.

Inside these pouches you can hold all kinds of items. I placed sewing clips in the small, pens in the medium, and sunglasses in the large to give you an idea of what to place inside of them.

When you want to store the empty pouches, they nest inside of one another.

This is the large size.

The medium size.

The small size I made from the fabric of a pair of jeans. The jeans were so plain, so I stitched some decorative stitches on the jeans before making the pouch. Then I added some French knots by hand.

Inside the extra large size.

This is the extra large size. The strap and tab are not a part of the instructions because this was the pouch I enlarged and made while testing the others and that Elvira decided to include in the pdf pattern too.

Buy the pdf pattern now and you will save 25%. Sale price only good until until February 3, 2022, so grab it now.

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