Good things come in small pouches. Keep small things close and avoid the frustration of looking for them time and time again. Hang them around your neck, around the rear view mirror in the car, on a doorknob, a hook, Stick them in a purse, wherever you are. Make tiny ones for cellphones or ID, longer ones for eyeglasses, and larger ones for craft supplies or a package of tissues and lip balm.
Make them with or without a flap, quilt, monogram, or embroider them before the final sewing. The possibilities are endless. If you can write the letter U, you can make these. If your U seems wobbly, print one in a huge font size. The flap is simply a wide V with the bottom point rounded off, the same width as the U. I've made 3 sizes, only 2 are shown in the diagram below. Click the pictures for larger views.
Materials List for Cell Phone Pouches
- interfacing, sew-in
- 2 fabrics for the outsides of the pouches – the fabric on the back is also the flap
- fabric for 2 lining pieces
- 36" cord for hanging and 3" cord for the loop closing – craft cord works very well, it is easier to sew than stiffer upholstery cords
- buttons for pouches with flaps – each one has 2 buttons, a small one used as a shank for the decorative button
How to Make the Pouches
- Draw the pattern as shown below. The sizes, as measured are: width at the top of the U x the length of the U: small: 3 1/4" x 4 3/4", medium 3 1/2" x 5 1/2", and large 5" x 7 1/2". Note the flap is not included in the measurements.
- Place the interfacing over the pattern and trace with a pencil. You will need 1 interfacing piece of just the U that includes the line across the top of the U and 1 interfacing piece of the entire pattern. That's 2 pieces of interfacing for each pouch. If you don't want the flap, simply trace 2 pieces of the U. The lines drawn onto the interfacing are the sewing, not the cutting lines.
- Sew the interfacing for the flap piece to the wrong side of the lining for that piece across the top of the U.
- Stack the pieces as shown in the picture below. Click the picture for a larger view, the top layer is listed first. Using the lines on the interfacing, sew across the top of the U on the piece without the flap and around the flap on the other piece. Trim the seam allowances to a scant 1/4" without cutting the ends of the cord, turn the flap and press. Press the pieces open as shown, pressing the flap lining back at the top of the U.
- Match the pieces, right sides together at the top of the U, and sew on the lines of the interfacing, leaving an opening in the lining to turn the pouch.
- Trim the seams, turn, and tuck the lining into the pouch.
- Sew buttons on the front of the pouch. Once you know the process, pouches can be made in 10 minutes, tops.
List of Ideas for Filling for Gifts
Gifts for people who sew or quilt:
- luxury threads
- tape measure
- folding or small scissors
- seam ripper
- bobbins
- thimbles
- needles
Gifts for Others:
- cell phone
- jewelry
- reading glasses
- chocolate
- gift cards or money
- package of tissues
- lip balm
- small tube of hand lotion
- emery boards
- a special homemade cookie
A few well-chosen items in an easy to sew handmade pouch say "I care about you." Cell phone pouches can hold craft supplies and other things as well. Warm someone's day with a pouch that can be used and will be remembered after the contents are used. Useful gifts don't have to be expensive.
Corinne Shibley - Corinne Shibley studied sculpture in art history and created her own sculpture on the way to a B.A. in Studio Art. "There's something ...
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