Marker or Pencil Pouch Sewing Pattern Tutorial Review
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Today’s project came from a lovely tutorial from ikatbag.
It stands up all by itself, even when it is empty!
Suggested fabrics for this pouch are a heavier weight home dec or similar fabric for the outer and then a lining fabric. The lining fabric shown in the tutorial is a ripstop nylon. I did not have any ripstop nylon and opted to use quilter’s cotton for both the outer and lining fabrics. I also considered and then ignored the suggestion of reinforcing the outer fabric with a thicker piece of fabric.
I did, however, use two pieces of fabric for the base/front wall piece. Since this is attached with bias binding, layering the two pieces together was an easy-peasy way to add a bit of strength. I did consider using a piece of denim there, but the idea of sewing through denim + double folded bias binding + three layers of quilters cottons (inner, outer and template plastic holder) + the zipper tape seemed like more fun than I was ready to handle this afternoon.
The piece that contains the template plastic is visible inside the pouch. I am not sure what the reasoning was on this. It seemed like I could have put this on the wrong side of the lining piece and it might have been less noticeable. If I make another one, I may try it that way. (And then I will probably have to come back and tell you there was a really good reason for having it the way it is!)
The original has a little pocket on the piece that is referred to in the tutorial as the base/front wall, which is the blue solid that is surrounded with white bias binding in the photo above. When the pouch is zipped, the pocket would be folded and could not contain anything substantial. I left it off. The tutorial does not have any photos that show anything in the pocket, so I am not sure about its intended use.
At one point, use of a separating zipper is suggested. What is not mentioned (or I missed it) is what size and length of zipper should be used. I did not have a separating zipper in a suitable length, so I ended up just using a non-separating zipper, which worked out fine. I believe the one I used was 14″, as the instructions called for a zipper at least 3″ longer than the opening. I left it at that length when I put the tab on the end, but I feel like it would work just as well if I had shortened it to have less extra.
My stitching on the zipper is a bit too close to the teeth near where the front wall attached and the pull gets stuck sometimes. I will be more careful next time to leave more of the zipper tape visible so the pull has more room to zoom about. If I were going to give this to one of my kids, I would probably also use a zipper with bigger teeth, though this one works.
Attaching the zipper is not difficult, getting the base/front wall piece on is much more fiddly – and annoying. I did pin the center and lined up what ends up being the top of the front wall to keep the sides even. This ended up being the most challenging part. Normally I would use wondertape on it, but I didn’t want to do that here since I wasn’t planning to wash the bag. (Wondertape washes out, and it is great to keep wiggly things in place while sewing.) There are also some small Wonder Clips out now that I think would be worth trying for this. I have this size Wonder Clips, but the new smaller mini Wonder Clips might be better for this situation.
Having the contents of the bag upright is a really nice feature, particularly if you are using this for colored pencils or markers. With a regular zip pencil bag, the color you want always seems to be at the bottom. You either have to dig through everything over and over or pull everything out and just leave things out while you are using them. This upright bag is a portable pencil cup, perfect for occupying a preschooler in a restaurant as well as a tween who wants every color available for her latest project.
This bag has 50 colored pencils in it. As you can see, there is plenty of room for more!
Head over to ikatbag for the tutorial and make your own zipped pouch! I’d love to see it when you’ve finished. Share your creations on the Runway in our forums!
Happy Sewing!
Kelly
IKEA Expedit or Kallax?
- At February 27, 2014
- By Kelly
- In Organization
3
Last week, there was much discussion about IKEA’s plans to discontinue the very popular Expedit shelving units.
These stacks of cubes provide safe storage for many a fabric stash, so there was great panic when word came they were going away.
Initially, only line drawings were available, but on Friday, IKEA provided an image of the Kallax unit.
The interior dimensions of the Kallax units are the same as Expedit’s.
Gizmodo reported that this design change likely has more to do with IKEA’s pledge to be a more sustainable company than it does aesthetic design. IKEA is #3, behind only Home Depot and Lowe’s, in wood consumption. If IKEA sells millions of these units every year, this slight reduction in the outer edges really could make a difference.
I think it will be okay.
Kelly
(images provided for distribution by IKEA)
Decorating the Sewing Space with IKEA
- At February 26, 2014
- By Kelly
- In Organization
0
I have some more IKEA organizing to show you, but first, how about some fun decoration for your space?
These buttons are sure to add some cheery spring fun:
I saw button fabric in the fabric department some time ago, but the scale was so large I was at a loss for what to do with it. Here is a fun idea – put it under the chair mat!
No chair mat? How about this button rug? Fun, right?
Do you have any of these in your sewing space?
Kelly
IKEA Shopping for the Sewing Space
- At February 25, 2014
- By Kelly
- In Organization
5
It’s no secret that I love IKEA. I’ve often found items in the kitchen and office areas that work really well in my sewing space.
What a fun surprise to see a display at IKEA actually aimed at seamstresses and crafters!
The table the machine is on is a Linnmon table. I have several of these in my sewing space and love them. They are a perfect depth so there is not a bunch of wasted space behind them, but there is still enough room to maneuver fabrics when sewing. Plus, they are nice an stable so I don’t worry about my serger trying to walk off while I’m using it!
This RIBBA picture ledge is great for storing a cutting mat, and there’s enough space to put your quilting rulers with it.
And here it is again being used for thread storage, just below the KUPOL storage bins. I love how the storage bins all have labels on them. The organizing geek in me loves labels!
The bins hanging on the BYGEL rail look like RATIONELL recycling bins, but I’m not sure how they are hanging on there. Looks like another IKEA trip is in order for further research!
These PLUGGIS bins are being used for pattern storage. They would also work for sorting scraps by color if you are saving small scraps for quilting or other patchwork.
8 of these VÄGGIS corkboards make a nice area for planning designs.
Stay tuned for more tomorrow!
Kelly
Organizing Sewing Supplies – A Trip to the Hardware Store
- At January 15, 2014
- By Kelly
- In Organization
0
Hardware and farm/general supply stores have some great organizing containers. Often the products will look just like the ones available in more specialized shops but with a less specialized price.
For example, you can buy this 26 drawer cabinet at a major craft store for $34.99. I was so surprised by the price that I even double checked the item codes on the price label to make sure it was the correct item for the tag!
Head to the hardware store and you can buy any one of these for $14.99 to $16.99, depending on which style you choose. So you can decide if you want all big drawers, all little drawers or some combination of them.
You might get a 50% off coupon for the craft store, which would make the first one $17.49. But guess what? The $14.99-16.99 ones go on sale for $3 off pretty regularly and you have more choices! So, go to the hardware store for storage supplies and save your 50% off coupon for fabric!
These are great for storing snaps, buttons, extra packs of needles, machine feet, extra rotary cutter blades, and more! Here’s the one I have full of snap parts.
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