Flower Drawstring Pouch Tutorial

This useful little bag features just one flower block and would make a super-quick gift for a friend. This small pouch is useful for carrying all sorts of items. If lined with waterproof material it is suitable for use as a toilet bag.  I use mine for my small travelling art supplies, including paints and brushes, which can  be wet, so the waterproof lining protects the outer bag.

Finished size
Approx 20.5 x 27.5cm (8 x 10 3⁄4in)

Materials
✦  Fat quarter of Fabric A, for main/background fabric
✦  9cm (3 1⁄2in) square of Fabric B, a bright-coloured solid for flower centre
✦  25cm (10in) square of Fabric C, a print for flower base and pouch facings
✦  8 x 13cm (3 x 5in) of Fabric D, medium-coloured solid for flower base
✦  21.5 x 53cm (8 1⁄2 x 21in) lining fabric (could be waterproof)
✦  Thin card or template plastic for templates  
✦  1.25m (1 1⁄2yd) fine cord for the drawstring

Preparation
All measurements include a 1⁄4in seam allowance, unless otherwise stated.

CUTTING INSTRUCTIONS

1  From Fabric A (background), cut the following:
✦  One piece 8 1⁄2 x 12 1⁄2in for the pouch back
✦  Two pieces 8 1⁄2 x 2 1⁄2in for the inside top facings
Using the templates, cut flower pieces 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10 and 11 (a 1⁄4in seam allowance is needed around each piece)

2  From Fabric B (bright solid) use the templates to cut flower pieces 2 and 5.

3  From Fabric C (print) cut the following:
✦  Two pieces 8 1⁄2 x 2 1⁄2in for top facings
✦  Flower piece 8

4  From Fabric D (medium solid) cut flower piece 9

5  From lining fabric cut one piece 8 1⁄2 x 21in  

PREPARING THE TEMPLATES
 

1  Copy the block template from the pattern sheet onto thin card or template plastic. Number the individual shapes as shown on the template and then carefully cut out the pieces. Use these shapes to cut your fabric pieces, making sure you add  1⁄4in all round each piece for a seam allowance.
 
PIECING THE FLOWER BLOCK

Lay out your flower block fabric pieces into the flower pattern so you can check which piece goes where. Sew the block together in the numbered sequence on the template and Fig 1. Press the seams as you sew on the pieces. Once pieced, the block should be 8 1⁄2in (including seam allowance).

MAKING UP THE POUCH

1  Using the Fabric A 8 1⁄2 x 12 1⁄2in piece, fold and finger press the centre of one lower short side. Take the flower block, line up the point on the base of fabric D, with this crease. Sew this background
fabric to the flower block.

2  Stitch a Fabric C 8 1⁄2 x 2 1⁄2in facing to each end – one to the top of flower  block and one to the background fabric. This long pieced strip will now measure 24 1⁄2in in length. Stitch a Fabric A inside
top facing to each end (Fig 2).

3  Fold this length in half across the width, right sides together. Measure 3 1⁄4in and 4in from the top and mark with pins. Sew the side seams, leaving gaps on the side seams between these pins for the
drawstring to be threaded through (Fig 3). Backstitch either side of the gap, to make sure it is secure in use.

4   Create a squared bottom to the pouch as follows (Fig 4). Crease the fold at the centre bottom of the pouch. Line up the side and bottom crease and put a pin through the seam where it meets the crease. Pull the fabric out to create a triangle. Measure down the seam from the point 1 1⁄4in and then draw a line, at right angles to the seam, across the base of the triangle. This line should measure 2 1⁄2in.
Check the line is straight and then stitch across the line. Trim off the excess fabric triangle, leaving a
1⁄4in seam allowance.

5   Fold under and iron a 1⁄4in seam allowance on the top edge of the top edge of the inside facings. Turn the pouch right side out and turn the inside facings to the inside of the pouch, (wrong sides together
with outside facing, so just the print facing shows on the right side). Using the tip of the iron, press along the top edge, making sure it is rolled over a little so none of the inside facing is showing on the outside. Topstitch around the top of the pouch, close to the edge of the pouch.

6   Fold the lining piece in half across the width and sew the side seams. Create  a squared bottom to the lining in the same way you did for the pouch. Leave the lining wrong side out.

7   Push the lining into the pouch, wrong sides together, making sure it fi ts right to the bottom of the pouch. Lift the inside facing to the right side of the lining, so it overlaps it. Pin and stitch the facing to the pouch lining (this may be done by hand).

8   On the right side of the pouch, topstitch around the bottom of the facing and 3/4 in above this to outline the channel for the drawstring cord. Cut the cord into two equal pieces and thread it through the
channels, one piece from the right and one from the left, creating pull strings that close the pouch top. Knot the end of the cord to finish. You could decorate the ends of the cords with fancy beads if desired.