Pencil Pouch Tutorial

One good thing about my son being in year round schooling is that I have more time than most parents to think about what I can do for a teacher appreciation gift. Connor’s year of Kindergarten is coming to an end this week so it was time for me to get the gears turning. I wanted to make his teacher something that she could actually use, and something that {hopefully} no one else thought of. I selected some of my favorite coordinates to make her a handy zippered pencil pouch, and I’ll show you how to make one too!

What you’ll need:

3 coordinating fat quarters (or scraps)

1 piece of fusible fleece, 4.5” x 18” *you may substitute quilt batting and basting spray

9” zipper

Standard supplies include a sewing machine, thread, ¼” foot, zipper foot, cutting mat, rotary cutter, and acrylic ruler, Clover Wonder Clips, and an iron. See my post on Top 12 Tools for the Beginner Quilter for more info.

From your first fat quarter {A}, cut a strip 3.5” x 18”. From your second fat quarter {B}, cut a strip 1.5” x 18”. And from your third fat quarter {C}, cut a strip 4.5” x 18”.

Place A and B right sides together and straight stitch along the long edge with your ¼” foot.

Iron the seam open towards fabric B.

Top stitch the seam using your zipper foot.

Iron the fusible fleece to the back of fabric A/B.

Cut fabrics A/B and C in half so you have four pieces total that measure 4.5” x 9”.

{If you would like to add an applique to the pouch, sew it onto one of the front pieces now.}

Place one A/B right side up. Lay the zipper face down along the top edge.

Then place fabric C face down, lining it up on all sides. Use the Wonder Clips to hold the layers in place.

Straight stitch along the edge to join the three pieces using your zipper foot. Repeat this step with the other set of fabric.

Open the layers and lightly press.

Use the zipper foot top stitch along both sides of the zipper. This step prevents the lining from getting stuck in the zipper later on… and it looks nice too.

Open the zipper at least half way. Place the front pieces and linings right sides together. Pay particular attention to where your B edges line up. You want the seams to line up.

Mark a space about 4” in the center of the lining with a water soluble pen. This will be where you turn the pouch right side out. Secure the layers with your Wonder Clips (or straight pens). Make sure the teeth of the zipper are pointed towards the lining before clipping, as seen in my photo.

Using your ¼” foot, straight stitch all around, starting and stopping from your marked space. Be sure to fix the stitch or back stitch when you begin and end.

Clip the excess fabric from around the corners so that it gives a nice finish when it is flipped right side out. Be very careful not to clip the stitches!

Flip the bag right side out and push the lining inside. Hand stitch the lining space closed.

Gently iron your bag.  Tie a piece of ribbon onto the zipper pull for a cute finish if you’d like.

This would make a nice gift for anyone!  The size of the bag is perfect for a variety of uses. Little kids would like it to store colored pencils or markers in. Avid couponers could keep their coupons inside. Parents of little ones could store snacks inside for the diaper bag. Use it at the Farmer’s Market or yard sale to keep your cash in. You could also add a wristlet to the pouch and store your money and phone inside, (It even fits my GIANT galaxy note!), when you don’t feel like carrying a purse.

 

 

PS- Check my etsy store for completed pouches!