Handmade Gifts ~ Pencil Pouch

I am back again today to share another fun Holiday Gift.

This one is fun and easy to make.

This cute little pencil pouch is a great gift for kids and adults.  

I actually made a few for Teacher gifts last year.  

The crayon is paper pieced and is a perfect first paper piecing project if you'd like to give this technique a try.

Add a fun set of pens and a colorful kneaded eraser and pencil to tuck into the pencil pouch.

You can find the Crayon Pattern [HERE]

and

The Pencil Pouch Pattern [HERE]

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise

~ January ~ The month in Review

I'm shocked it is already February!  January went by so fast.  I did have some fun creating a few new patterns and tutorials.

You can find my Free Crayon Paper Piecing Pattern ~HERE~  It is a perfect beginning pattern if you have always wanted to try paper piecing. 

Once you make the paper pieced pencil why not make the pencil pouch?  it is a perfect teacher gift or fun gift for a little one filled with crayons or colored pencils.

You can also find lots of tips in the Dec/Jan Issue of Sew it All magazine.  I designed a fun paper pieced sewing machine cover! You can find the paper piecing pattern ~HERE~
Click on "Download the Paper Piecing Guide" to get the pattern.

I finished my "Tea Time" pattern which is in my Etsy and Craftsy shops.

I had fun making my Lovely Gathered Clutch with suede trim and 

I also made one entirely out of suede.

If you'd like to try sewing with suede and leather head on over to find some tips and tricks ~HERE~

I made another short sleeve version of my Anna Blouse.  I love the Kokka camera print fabric.

Stay tuned for a long sleeve version made out of Cotton + Steel Frock Rayon!

xo

Charise

Pencil Pouch Tutorial

Hi!  So glad you stopped by. Today I am sharing a tutorial for a pencil pouch that uses my Paper Pieced Crayon Block.  
You can find the paper pieced crayon Pattern and Tutorial HERE.

This is a perfect gift and extra special filled with a set of colored pencils or crayons!
I made one for each of my kid's teachers for Christmas gifts.  Enjoy!

Supplies
~ Matching Thread
~ Contrast Thread
~ Sewing Machine zipper foot
~ 1 Paper Pieced Crayon Block - The tutorial and pattern link is HERE
~ F8 (9" x 22")  Linen fabric - I used Robert Kauffman Essex Yarn Dye Linen in color Flax
~ F8 (9" x 22")  Print Fabric
~ 1/4 yard Fusible Fleece
~ 1/4 yard light weight interfacing - I used Pellon SF101
~ 9" (or longer) coil Zipper to match Crayon
~ 2 1/2" length of decorative twill tape or ribbon (optional)

Cut
~ From the Linen:
2 - 2 3/4" x 10", 2 - 1 3/8" x 2 3/4", 10" x 5 3/4"

~Print Fabric
2 - 10" x 5 3/4" lining , 2 - 3" x 1 1/4" Zipper Tabs

~Fusible Fleece
2 - 10" x 5 3/4"

~Light Weight Interfacing
2 - 10" x 5 3/4"

Finished size:
9 1/4" x 5"


Step 1 ~ Prepare the outside and Lining panels

1. Stitch the 1 3/8" x 2 3/4" rectangles to each end of the crayon.
Stitch the 2 3/4" x 10" rectangles to the top and bottom of the crayon.  Trim to 10" x 5 3/4".

2. Fuse the Fleece to the back of the crayon block.  Stitch in the ditch around the perimeter of the crayon.

3. Fuse the 10" x 5 3/4" fleece to the back of the 10" x 5 3/4" linen piece.
Fuse the 10" x 5 3/4" light weight interfacing to the back of the 10" x 5 3/4" lining pieces.

Step 2 ~ Attach the Zipper

4.  Measure the zipper and trim to 10” including the zipper tape.

5. Fold the under the ends ¼” of the 3” x 1 ¼” pieces on the 1 ¼” side towards the wrong side.  Press.  Press in half.

6. Butt the end of the zipper to the fold on the tab.  Pin in place.  
Stich the folded edge with an edgestitch.
Repeat for the other side.

Cut the folded edge and trim the zipper to ¼” beyond the edge stitching. Repeat for the other  side.  

7.  Place zipper face down on the right side of the Pouch Panel.  Place the long edge of the zipper tape matching the top edge of the Pouch Panel and Pin in place. 

8.  Attach the zipper foot to your sewing machine.   Stitch 1/4” away from the raw edge, starting and stopping 3/8” from edge, back tacking at ends. 

9.  Place the lining right sides with the right side of the clutch panel.  The zipper will be sandwiched in between the Pouch Panel and the Lining.  Pin lining in place along top edge.
With the outside panel, wrong side, facing you, stitch, follow the stitching that attaches the zipper to the outside panel.

10. Turn the lining over the zipper. The wrong side of the Pouch Panel will be facing the wrong side of the Lining. Press both panels away from the zipper.  Top stitch along the top edge, ¼” away from the top edge stopping and starting 3/8” from side edge, back tacking at ends.
  
11. Repeat  steps #8-10 for the other side.

12. Fold the twill tape right sides together and position 1/4" below seam at top on the left front side.  Baste in place. (see picture above)

Step 3 ~ Finish the Pouch

13.  Separate the lining from the Clutch Panels.  Place the Clutch Panels right sides together matching the top seams and raw edges.  
Mark the bottom corners with a gentle curve.  You can use a mug or cup to trace the curve.
Fold the lining out of the way toward the center of the panel and pin.  
MAKE SURE THE ZIPPER IS OPEN so you can turn right side out at the end.
Stitch 3/8” from edge starting at the top folded edge of the zipper end. Clip small triangles on curved corners being careful not to clip into the stitching.
Press seam open. 

14.  Unpin the lining panels at each end of the zipper. Place the lining right sides together, matching raw edges.   
Mark the bottom corners with a gentle curve.
Pin around perimeter.  Starting just below the zipper coils, stitch 3/8” from edge,
leaving a 4” opening at the bottom for turning. Clip small triangles on curved corners being careful not to clip into the stitching.
 Press seam open.  

15. Turn right side out and press.  Slip stitch or machine edge stitch the opening in the lining closed.

You have completed your Pencil Pouch.  Enjoy!

xo

Charise

~~~~~Merry Christmas~~~~~

 December has been a busy month..I always think I'll be able to get more done that I have time for : )

This is my first year making teacher's gifts!  I made these fun pencil pouches with my favorite Kumiko Fujita text print.  Check in the New Year for a tutorial and pattern 

to make these : )

It has been a month of celebration!

A BIG birthday for me spent with my boys on the Washington Coast at the lovely little town of Seabrook.  My husband treated me to a massage at the local spa and cooked all weekend.  It was so nice to get away during the hustle and bustle of the holidays and spend some quality time with my family.

My husband and I belong to a dinner club with a group of friends.   This month's festivies included a 1936 Murder Mystery along with dinner.  It was so much fun!

Wishing you peace and joy this Christmas from my family to yours : )

xo
Charise