a two colour twist ....

I made this 2 colour variation of the basic boxed bag (step by step tutorial here). You must first decide what proportions of each fabric you would like, as you can create a 50/50 split or just have a little of the second fabric showing as I have here. The main thing to remember is to add 1/4" seam allowance to each piece to allow for the joining of the fabric. For example, a finished size of 10" with a 70/30 split would require 1 x 7 1/4" piece and 1 x 3 1/4" piece for each side. The fabrics should be joined using a 1/4" seam allowance before the pattern pieces are cut to shape and assembled. The other thing to be aware of when creating a two colour piece is to make sure the joins between the fabrics line up at the seams when sewing the front and back together. The two colour version is therefore slightly more advanced than a single colour bag, but provides opportunity to play with mixing different coloured and patterned fabrics.

Mx

boxed bag for the boys !!

 

I made this simple wash bag as a gift for a male friend. This is a variation on the bag in the last step by step tutorial, showing how fabric choice can change the look. I used thick upholstery fabric with a jeans print for the outer, to give it stiffness which helps hold the shape without the need for interfacing. I used a shower curtain to make the lining water resistant, so it's perfect for use as a wash bag.

 

Mx

Basic boxed bag...

Continuing the theme of zipper pouches, I decided to return to the boxed corners with this step by step guide on how to make a fully boxed, lined pouch/bag. This makes a neat but roomy bag, perfect for cosmetics or stationary!

 

To start, back your lining fabric with some medium weight iron on interfacing to give it structure and help hold the boxed shape. Then, cut the following:

• 2 x outer fabric measuring 7 1/2" x 10 1/2" 
• 2 x lining fabric measuring 7 1/2" x 10 1/2"
• 1 x cardboard square template measuring 1 1/2"

You will also need a 8" zip and cotton to colour match the fabric. The handmade label is an optional extra I like to add into all my sewing projects. A short length of coordinating ribbon to use as a zip pull is another optional extra finishing touch which can look nice.
 

Using your square template, trace around each of the corners of all 4 fabric pieces. Cut the squares of fabric off and discard. 

 

Make a sandwich with the lining right side up, zipper tape teeth facing up and outer fabric right side down. Pin and sew using 1/4" seam allowance with the zipper foot on your machine. Fold the fabric back away from the zip and create another sandwich to attach the other side. 

 

Lay out flat and press. Top stitch along the edges of the zip for a neat finish. Part open the zip to allow for turning through.

 

Now turn so the outer fabrics are right sides together and the linings are right sides together. Pin around the edges, leaving the cutaway corners and a gap in the base of the lining. Add your handmade label into the side seam of the lining if you are including one.

Sew around the edges using the 1/4" seam allowance, ensuring you do a locking stitch at either end of every length of stitching, (putting the machine into reverse to create a short length of tripled up stitches to hold everything in place). 

To shape the boxed corners, open the fabric out where you have a gap in the stitching and pinch the seams together to create a flat edge. Try to ensure the side and base seams align before pinning and sewing.
 

 

For the corners near the zip at the top of the pouch, you need to pinch both the lining and outer fabric corners together. I find it easiest to pinch the corner of one fabric and ensure this is lined up, then still gripping this, pinch in the other side and bring this into line. It can be a little more tricky to ensure all the layers are aligned with each other and central to the zipper tape. Once all of the corners are pinned, sew on the machine using the same 1/4" seam allowance. You may wish to reverse stitch over the zip when sewing the top corners to reinforce the ends of the zip. 
 

Turn through to double check everything is OK on the right side before turning back through. Cut away the excess from the ends of the zipper, (using old scissors so you don't blunt nice fabric ones!) You might also want to go back around the seam allowance inside using pinking shears, zigzag stitching or an overlocker, to prevent fraying and remove excess bulk. 
 

Turn back through and slip stitch the gap in the lining before pushing this into the pouch. Give it a final press, loop the ribbon through the zip pull, knot and trim the ends to complete the pouch.

Don't forget to save your scraps... all of those little squares cut from the corners can be used in little patchwork projects and mini makes!!

 

Mx 

2 colour boxed zipper pouch

Following on from the boxed base zipper pouch, I created a 2 colour variation. This involves an extra stage of joining fabrics together to create a different look. For the one shown here, I have used two Michael Miller cotton printed fabrics - 'pineapple palm' and 'migration', with shower curtain fabric for lining. For this particular pouch, I also scaled up my original pattern to be used as a wash bag which will fit an average full size shower gel in. For this size, you will need a 12" zip to coordinate with your chosen fabrics.

To begin, cut rectangles from each of your fabrics following the dimensions below. Be aware, if your fabric has a directional pattern, the long edge will be the length of the bag.

• 2 x fabric A (pineapples) measuring 5 1/2" x 11 1/2"
• 2 x fabric B (chevron) measuring 4" x 11 1/2"
• 2 x lining (shower curtain with interfacing bonded prior to cutting) measuring 9" x 11 1/2"

Now, you need to join your outer fabrics together to create 2 side panels. Pin fabric A to fabric B right sides together, along the longest edge, (if using directional fabric, make sure that you are pinning the bottom edge of fabric A to the top edge of fabric B). Sew along the seam using a 1/4" seam allowance. Open out the fabric and press the seam down towards fabric B. Top stitch to ensure the seam is laying flat and secured in place for a professional looking finish. Repeat with the other fabric A and B pieces. Then, take each of the outer fabrics (fabric A & B) and the lining pieces and trim into a 'T' shape by cutting a 1 1/2" square from both bottom corners on the long edge (see diagram below).

 Once you have reached this stage, you can treat your joined pattern pieces as you would the single pieces of outer fabric on the original pattern found here. Simply follow these step by step instructions to construct the pouch. Just take extra care to match up the joining seams between the two fabrics when sewing the outer pieces together.

As always, you can adjust the dimensions of the pattern to create your own version. You can also play around with different fabric choices as this design works well with combinations of patterned, plain or even varied textures of fabrics, such as a faux leather base and cotton top ... it's up to you! Have fun making and please share the results, you can tag me in your photos on instagram @craftylilmouse or comment below with link to your pictures.

Mx

Boxed base zipper pouch ...

Following on from last months step by step pouch project, I thought I would show you how to make a pouch with a boxed base. With just a few more steps than a basic zipper pouch, this is a great way to create a pouch with a little more room inside. I have used a colourful printed cotton for the outer fabric and sections of a fabric shower curtain for a waterproof lining, perfect for a wash bag or cosmetics pouch.

Cut your 2 x fabric and 2 x lining pieces to 7 x 6 1/2 " rectangles. You will also need a zip at least 8" long and coordinating cotton. As an optional extra, I cut a piece of ribbon to create a 'handmade' tag for inside. Once you have your rectangles of fabric, cut away a 1" square from each of the bottom corners, (see image above).

You can now begin construction. Start by layering the zip between the right sides of a lining piece and an outer fabric, ensuring the top edges line up before pinning and sewing.

Once sewn, press and turn so right sides face outwards then top stitch along the zip edge for a neat finish.

Now repeat for the other side layering the other half of the zip between the right sides of the lining and outer fabric. Don't forget to press and top stitch.

Open up the zip to enable turning through, then pin around the edges with lining to lining and outer fabric to outer fabric, right sides together. Make sure your zip is held down towards the lining. If adding a tag, now is the time to pin in place so it will become trapped in the side seam of your lining.

You now need to sew around the edges of the rectangle making sure you leave a gap in the base for turning through and do not sew the square corner cut-outs... the corners are sewn afterwards to create the boxed shape! Press and trim any excess from the ends of the zip.

Next, shape the boxed corners by opening the fabric out where you have a gap in the stitching, then pinching the seams together to create a flat edge, (see above image). Try to ensure the side and base seams align before pinning and sewing.

 You will need to sew each of the 4 corners, then press by folding the base down flat and running the iron along (see outer fabric in image).

Turn through and slip stitch the gap in the lining before giving it a final press. You now have one completed boxed base zipper pouch. As always, you can play with the starting measurements to create different sized pouches to suit your needs.

Mx