Interfacing

Using the manufacturer’s instructions, apply interfacing to the following pieces:

• Two Main fabric Pouch pieces and Tab Handle use Shape-flex or a similar light-weight interfacing.

• Two Lining fabric Pouch pieces use Fusible Fleece or a similar product.

TIP – If your Lining fabric pouch pieces are too light-weight, reinforce them with Shape-flex first and then Fusible Fleece.

TIP – If your fabric frays easily, zigzag around the edges of all pieces, or use fray check around the edges of the fabric.

If you would prefer to use optional bias binding for your Tab Handles skip to step 1.4.

If you are familiar with making double fold bias tape, we are using that technique here. If not, don’t worry, just follow along here!

Fold the Tab Handle in half lengthwise, wrong sides together, and press.

NOTE – The photographs show different fabric, however the process is the same.

Open the Tab Handle, then fold the two long sides into the middle and press.

Refold the Tab Handle along the center edge, folding the raw edges to the inside.

Pin.

Topstitch each long edge using ⅛ inch seam allowance.

Cut Tab Handle into two equal pieces.

Mark the center points on both long edges of all four Pouch pieces (two Main and two Lining pieces).

Then mark the ½ inch seam allowance.

TIP – Snip small notches to mark the center points on the long edges.

Fold the zipper in half and mark the center point.

TIP – Snip small notches in the zipper tape to mark the center points of the zipper.

Place the zipper with teeth right side down on the right side of the top long edge of the Main Pouch piece, aligning the center points of the zipper tape and the top edge of the Main Pouch piece. Pin.

Using a zipper foot, stitch between the two markings using a ½ inch seam allowance. Backstitch at the beginning and end of your seam.

TIP – You might not be able to sew the zipper on with a ½ inch seam allowance depending on the width of your zipper tape.  Sew the seam allowance with whatever width you can.

NOTE – Do not sew in the ½ inch seam allowance on both 8-inch-sides of your Main Pouch piece (these are the marked seam allowances).

Lay the Pouch Lining piece right side down on the Main Pouch, right sides together, sandwiching the zipper between the two layers. Align the center points. Pin.

Using a zipper foot on your sewing machine, stitch using a ½ inch seam allowance. Backstitch at the beginning and end of your seam.

TIP – You might not be able to sew your zipper on with a ½ inch seam allowance depending on the width of your zipper tape.  Sew the seam allowance with whatever width you can.

NOTE – DO NOT sew in the ½ inch seam allowance on both short edges of your Main Pouch piece. (these are the marked seam allowances)

Repeat steps 2.3 to 2.6 to the other side of the pouch.

Press both sides of your pouch along the zipper.

OPTIONAL – Topstitch along both sides of the zipper. DO NOT stitch in the ½ inch seam allowance on both short edges (these are the ones you marked).

Pull the threads through and tie off on the inside of the pouch.

Open both layers of the Pouch. Align the right sides of the Pouch Lining pieces together, and right sides of the Main Pouch together. Match up the center points at the bottom of both edges. Pin together along the bottom edges.

Stitch the bottom seam of the Main Pouch using a ½ inch seam allowance. Backstitch at the beginning and end of your seam.

Stitch the bottom seam of the Pouch Lining using a ½ inch seam allowance, leaving a 5-inch gap for turning. Backstitch at the beginning and end of the seam.

Use the following gap measurement for each size:

XS – 2 inches

S – 3 inches

M – 4 inches

L – 5 inches

XL – 5 inches

Press both seams open.

Line up the bottom seams of both the Main and Lining Pouch pieces with the zipper. Pin.

Fold one Tab Handle in half, matching the short raw edges.

Centering the Tab Handle on the bottom seam line, align raw edges of the Tab Handle with the raw edge of the right side on the Main Pouch. Pin in place.

Baste it using a ¼ inch seam allowance.

Repeat steps 4.2 to 4.3 with the other folded Tab Handle and other side of Main Pouch.

Open the zipper. You will need this opening for turning the pouch.

Pin Main Pouch side edges, lining up the bottom seam and zipper.

NOTE – Check that the zipper is open and zipper pull is out of the way so that it does not get stitched into the seam.

TIP – Pin the Lining Pouch sides and zipper end out of the way while sewing the Main Fabric.

TIP – Double check that the Tab Handle is aligned with the zipper before stitching.

Stitch Main Pouch sides using a ½ inch seam allowance. Backstitch at the beginning and end of the seam. Start at the end with the zipper stop.

TIP – Use a zipper foot to get as close to the ½ inch seam allowance as possible.

Repeat steps 5.1 to 5.2 on the other side of Main Pouch.

Repeat steps 5.1 to 5.2 to both sides of the Pouch Lining.

NOTE – Check that the zipper tape ends are pinned together closely and stitch carefully over the zipper teeth, use the hand wheel if necessary.

Trim off the excess zipper ends.

Flatten each corner of the Main Pouches and Pouch Lining.

Use the following measurements to draw a square in each corner:

XS – ½ inch

S – 1 inch

M – 1 ½ inch

L – 2 inches

XL – 2 ½ inches

Draw a horizontal line following the above measurements from the bottom folded edge and from the stitched side seam.

Repeat on both sides of each corner of the Main and Lining Pouches.

You will have a square on each of the 16 corners of the Lining and Main Pouches, this includes the undersides of the Main and Lining Pouch pieces, as well.

Open folded edge, then flatten against the side seam to create a triangle with the corner as the point. The only part of the square that should be visible is the base of the triangle. Pin along the base of the triangle.

Stitch along the base of the triangle line. Backstitching at the beginning and end of the seam.

Trim off the corner points and zigzag along the raw edges.

Repeat steps 6.2 to 6.4 for all corners.

Turn the Pouch right side out, pulling the Main Pouch through the Pouch Lining gap left in step 3.3.

TIP – Push out the corners with a blunt object, like a chopstick, so that there are crisp, sharp edges and corners.

Use a slipstitch (also called a ‘ladder stitch’) to close the gap left in step 3.3.

Fold your fabric under by ½ inch. You will be stitching along this folded edge.

Thread your needle, tying the two thread tail ends together in a knot. This will provide added strength to your finished seam.

Push the needle up and through one of the folded seams, from the inside of the lining to the outside, pulling the thread tail completely through.

The knotted end will now be nicely concealed within the seam on the inside.

Directly across from the starting point, push the needle down and then back up through the fold on the opposite seam to create a stitch that is between ⅛ – ¼ inch long. When the thread is pulled through, the stitch is concealed within the seam crease, and there will be a horizontal stitch connecting the left and right sides of the opening.

Repeat to the end of the opening. To tighten the stitches, gently pull the thread. This will conceal the stitches in between the seams.

To end, create a loop for your needle to pass through by picking up a tiny section of the opposite seam and passing the needle through the loop. Tighten to form a knot. Reinforce the stitching as needed by repeating this step.

Poke the needle back into the fabric next to your stitching and pull it all the way through to the other side.

Pull the threat taut and snip it close to the fabric. Allow the thread tail to slip back inside the pouch so that the tail is now hidden inside.

NOTE – The stitches have been left loose in this picture to show what the ladder stitch looks like. Pull the thread through and taut after each stitch.

Push the Pouch Lining back inside the Main Pouch making sure to push the whole lining in and adjusting it to sit correctly.

Your Boxy Pouch is finished!