XOXO Zippered Pouch Tutorial

Make a pouch, include some chocolate or a gift card, and you have a great Valentine's Day gift for a friend, a family member, or even yourself! This pouch is versatile, it works well with traditional Valentine's fabric & colors, or something less red & pink as well.  Please read through all of the instructions before you start.

 

Supply List
12 Charm Pack Prints, quartered (2 ½’’ pieces)
1 charm, cut into (2) 1 ½’' x 3'' pieces
Linen for Front:
     (1) 3’’  x 6’’ piece;
     (1) 3’’ x 10’’ piece
Linen for Back:
     (1) 3’’ x 10’’ piece;
     (1) 5’’ x 10’’ piece
(2) 10'' x 9 1/2'' fusible interfacing pieces
(2) 10'' x 9 1/2'' lining pieces or an assortment of charms for lining
9'' zipper
embroidery thread, needle, and water soluble pen (optional)

Note: Spray starch or starch alternative on the linen and press before cutting it into pieces. Linen has a tendency to shift as you sew it. The instructions have you cut linen pieces slightly bigger than you need so you can trim outer pouch pieces to a 9 ½’’ x 10’’ rectangle.


Assembling Side A

Arrange (12) 2 ½’’ pieces into a 4x3 grid; sew together in rows. Press each seam well. Pin row 1 to row 2, match seams, and pin on either side of the seam. Sew and press well. Repeat with rows 2 and 3. Sew, press, and trim if necessary.

If you want to add the XOXO embroidery, draw a straight line along the 3’’ x 10’’ piece of linen with a water soluble pen.  Additionally, use the pen to mark XOXO, and stitch it up using a classic backstitch.  I used embroidery thread (I would use a few more strands next time); perle cotton would work nicely as well.

Pin the  3’’  x 6’’ linen piece to the left of your 4x3 patchwork, sew, and press seam well. Pin the 3’’ x 10’’ piece to bottom, sew, and press well.

Assembling Side B
Choose (5) 2 ½’’ squares, place them in a row, and sew end to end. Press. Pin the  3’’ x 10’’ linen piece to the top of the patchwork strip, sew, and press. Pin the 5’’ x 10’’ linen piece to the bottom of the patchwork strip, sew, and press.

Embroidery: I thought this pouch was bordering on "too sweet," even for Valentine's Day, so I used my plum embroidery floss to sew three rows of (very) rustic running stitches below the patchwork.

Assembling the zippered pouch

 Patchwork pouch pieces, interfacing, lining, and zipper
Fuse a lightweight, fusible interfacing on the outside pieces of the pouch according to the manufacturer's directions. You can interface the lining as well, if you wish.

Use fabric (or ribbon) to cover the end of your zipper; it makes the pouch more finished and is a simple way to add color. I like using zippers and thread that contrast with my pouch, in this case, plum and white.

Fold the 2 pieces of 1 1/2'' x 3'' fabric in half, lengthwise, and iron. Then, iron the edges in a 1/4''. Fold over each zipper end, pin, lengthen your stitch length (optional), and stitch right along the edge of the fabric. Note: If you don't stitch along the edge, you will most likely hit the metal part of the zipper, breaking your needle. Tip: For the end with the zipper pull, open the zipper first, then pin and sew.

Pin the zipper face down to the top edge of Side A.
 (Line up the actual zipper, not the top of the zipper end covers). 

Lay lining fabric face down, right sides together, and pin along top of zipper.

Now, the fun part! Zippers aren't scary, don't let anyone tell you that they are, especially if you use a zipper foot.  If necessary, move your needle to the left, and use a zipper foot to sew right along the edge of the zipper. (Make sure to reduce your stitch length if you lengthened it earlier).

When you get to the end where the zipper pull is, stop, unpin, and with your needle in the down position, open the zipper. This will help you sew the zipper in straight (unless your brother in law is in town and your kids are horsing around in the living room, and then you will be okay with "straight enough," as you will see.)

Press the outside of the pouch away from the zipper; do the same with the lining. Lengthen your stitch, and topstitch along the outside; this will help your lining from getting caught in the zipper.

Place Side B right sides together on side A, lining up the top with the edge of the zipper. Pin into place. 

Turn pouch over, place lining right sides together, line up along top of zipper, pin.

Sew in place, repeating steps above. Press and topstitch. 

Your pouch will look like this. OPEN YOUR ZIPPER (at least halfway)! Now, fold back the outsides of the pouch so that right sides are together; your linings will be right sides together, too.

Trim zipper end pieces as shown to reduce bulk.

(Reduce stitch length if necessary.) Pin zipper pulls towards lining. Pin the outer pieces together and the lining together, starting with the long sides.

Sew 1/4'' (or slightly larger seam) along each long side, taking special care when going over the bulk where the zipper ends meet.  Next, sew along the remaining edge of outer fabrics. Sew along the remaining edge of the lining, leaving a 3'' opening to turn the pouch. 

Trim the corners of the pouch.
Flip the pouch inside out through the opening in the lining and the open zipper. Use a point turner or chopstick to make sure the corners are square.  Sew the opening in the lining by hand or machine, and admire your work. Ta da! Happy Valentine's Day!!!