Hello, my crafty friends!!! Hope you are doing well wherever you are.
It is sad to say but we all know what is going on in the world right now and with most of us self isolating at home it can be a little daunting at times. That is why I have a super fun and handy little project for you today…. a boxy pouch, not just for makeup 😉
Drafting the pattern
This pattern is super easy to draft and you can play with lengths to make the pouch in various sizes.
You will need to draft two patterns:
-main panel (green line)
-lining panel (pink line), plus
-zipper tab 11 cm / 6 cm
Supplies needed & cutting instructions
This project does not use a lot of fabric which is great if you have some fabric scraps.
– Main fabric 49 cm /40 cm
-Lining fabric 49 cm/40 cm
-Zipper 32 cm
-Fusible interfacing (recommended, if you are working with quilting cotton or other lightweight fabric)
-Fusible stabilizer (optional, if you prefer a more structured look)
Fabric recommendation: To make this boxy pouch I would recommend using a plain colour or non-directional print fabric, especially for the external panel. Otherwise, you will end up with a print that is upside down on one side of your pouch. I wouldn’t worry as much about the lining because it is not so visible.
To begin you will need to cut:
1 x main panel from external fabric + interfacing and/or stabilizer (optional)
1 x lining panel from lining fabric + interfacing (optional)
1 x zipper tab from external fabric + interfacing (optional)
Once cut, fuse the interfacing to the wrong side of the entire pattern piece first, following by the stabilizer if you want to make a boxy pouch that holds its shape and is more study.
Boxy pouch sewing tutorial
Sandwich the zipper along the shorter edge between the main fabric and the lining (both pieces right sides together). Zipper’s outer side should face the right side of the main fabric.
Pin in place and sew it together with 1 cm seam allowance or as close to the zipper teeth as you can/want.
Press the seam allowance towards the lining and top-stitch together.
Press the seam.
With right sides together pin the other end of the main fabric to the other side of the zipper tape and machine it with a 1 cm seam allowance.
Repeat the same step for the lining, using the first stitch as a guideline.
Open the zipper, press the seam allowance towards the lining, and top-stitch the edge.
To make zipper tabs, mark the center of the tab on the wrong side along the longer side. With wrong sides together fold the fabric so that the raw ends meet in the middle, pin in place.
Fold the tab along the middle enclosing the seam allowance. Edge-stitch it on both sides.
Cut in half to make two separate tabs.
Temporarily tack zipper tapes together and/or remove the metal zipper teeth away from the seam allowance.
Fold the zipper tabs in half, pin them at both ends of the zipper and sew it together within a 1 cm seam.
Turn the pouch over so that the lining is outside. Divide the pouch into four parts.
Align the zipper and the middle of the pouch together, fold the sides towards the center.
TIP: Open the zipper halfway through the pouch before you stitch so you can turn it inside out later.
Machine through all layers with a 1 cm seam allowance on both sides of the pouch.
Fold the extended lining piece towards the pouch so that the raw edges meet and pin in place.
Fold it over again enclosing the seam allowance, pin in place.
Stitch it along the edge of the first fold.
Once completed, turn the pouch inside out through the zipper opening and shape the pouch corners, and folds into a boxy shape.
Hope this will keep you occupied for a while.
I really like this type of pouch, because it is spacious and I can keep a variety of items inside. I had made a few of them as gifts for friends and they love it!
Stay safe!
Monika xxx
Since this project was so popular, I decided to write a detailed tutorial showing you how to make the pattern for this boxy pouch in any size you want!
If you haven’t done so already, join my Facebook group. I would love to see all your beautiful pouches!
There is also a video tutorial available on my YouTube channel that takes you through each step, so check it out!
Hi,. .
I just made a similar pouch and used a pattern by Sarah Kirsten. I love that yours has tabs and that you made the side roll up technique easier. Mine looks fairly floppy as I did not use an interfacing, decided I might do that next time. Do you find the same problem with yours, being a bit floppy? I’m very excited to try your version. I have a thing for dopp kits and I think they should make great gifts. I just say your website for the first time and looking forward to checking out all your makes! Stay well. Keep making!
Hi Jude. Hope you are doing well. Thank you for you kind words. Yes, the pouch will always be floppy I f the fabric has little to no structure and no interfacing is used. With mine I had used a wax canvas and a medium weight lining so it does keep its shape, but I would recommend to use some interfacing or webbing if you are looking for more stability. Would love to see your makes and if you have more questions feel free to ask.
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