We have a lot of puzzles and board games and other things that live in cardboard boxes around here. The problem is that after some hard playing the boxes tend to pop their corners and get all ratty. Not to mention it gets hard to find places to store all those bulky containers.
I got tired of sticking all the boxes back together.
So one day I decided to make some pouches to keep the puzzles in, which greatly reduced the amount of storage space needed on our shelves. I made them from clear vinyl so that the kids could easily see which was which.
These are super quick and easy to make – the hardest part is having to use three different feet.
The best part is matching your fabric and zippers:
All these fabrics were a gift from Krista. Merci cherie!You can estimate how big the pouch needs to be by looking at how much you need to put in it.
How long you make your fabric depends on how much of a fabric accent you’d like.
Iron the top edge of your fabric over 1/2 an inch. (What you decide is the “top” edge is important if you have directional fabrics – you want them facing the same way each side of the pouch. As you can see below, I wanted to make sure my elephants weren’t standing on their heads.)
Sew your two fabric pieces to your zipper with a zipper foot.
Then you need to sew the vinyl pieces to the fabric. Here are my tips for sewing fabric to vinyl:
I switched to a 90/14 needle
I increased my stitch length to 3 (my standard stitch being 2.5)
I used my walking foot
I slightly decreased my upper thread tension (it’s normally at 2 and I reduced it to 1.5)
Most importantly: sew a test line with some scrap fabric and vinyl. Then you’ll know if you need to fix your tension at all.
Once you’ve done your test line you can sew the real thing. I pressed my seam to the fabric side with a not-too-hot iron, under a cloth (to avoid melting the vinyl). I then topstitched the seam to the fabric so it wouldn’t show through the plastic.
Then match your two right sides together and sew around the outside edge of your pouch (choose a pretty, matching thread as you’ll be able to see it). Don’t forget to open your zipper to about half way so you can turn it right-side out again!
Sewing plastic layers together without them sliding all over the place requires a few quick changes.
Tips for sewing vinyl to vinyl:
Stay with the 90/14 needle
Go back to your regular foot (I used my quarter inch foot)
Put a patch of masking tape or matte (not shiny/slippery) sticky tape on the bottom of your foot, as below (this helps with grip).
Increase your stitch length to 4
Go back to your regular tension.
Again, a quick test on scraps is recommended. Once you sew the vinyl it is perforated forever, so you can’t really unpick and sew again.
Once you’ve sewn all around the edge (I used the above foot setup on the fabric part too, no probs) you can clip your vinyl corners a little.
Then turn inside out and you’re done!
Fill ‘er up with all those puzzles.
You could use these pouches for tons of things: pencil cases, school or craft supplies, hand-sewing projects or as a toiletries bag:
Yay for pouches!
P.S. While you’re here, why not sign up to receive notification of all my free tutorials and new pattern releases?
Loved the tute. I made several as per your directions, but did not care for the floppy top. I then made the vinyl taller and covered it with the fabric. It worked out nicely and now has more structure. Thank you for the info.
You can add light weight fusible interfacing to the fabric too, which will give the fabric more body, less droopy..
This is a great tutorial I have seen many and yours is the best. Thank you I have been looking for pouches like these, to organize my things in my huge handbag.
What a great idea, Diane! Thanks for dropping by.
So cute and so practical! I’ve got a Craft Gossip post scheduled for later this morning that features your tutorial: http://sewing.craftgossip.com/?p=89212 –Anne
Wonderful! Thanks, Anne
Pointez ensuite la marque avec votre perceuse et
placez vous perpendiculairement a la surface a percer.
tkly.com
Very simple and very cute! It’s a great idea!
FUN! Thanks for the inspiration!
Great sacks. Thanks for the tip on using masking tape. I usually use tissue paper as a buffer when sewing Vinyl and then you just tear it away once you are finished. You could use binder clips to keep the vinyl in place when sewing two pieces together. I plan on making a few of these!
Great sacks. Thanks for the tip on using masking tape. I usually use tissue paper as a buffer when sewing Vinyl and then you just tear it away once you are finished. You could use binder clips to keep the vinyl in place when sewing two pieces together. I plan on making a few of these!
Really great idea! You are right, the perfect thing for gifts, as well! I’m already thinking about Christmas present making, let’s see what I can realistically make! :-)
Hi there, I am new on your blog. The vinyl pouches are such a great idea. Must put on my to do list! Thanks for sharing. Cheers!
Hello, thanks for the tutorial and the tip about text book cover plastic. Beatrice (from France!)
I love the idea of putting gifts in them! Thanks. :-)
These are great!!!
Kirsty, where were you when my house was littered with toys through all those years of raising my four?!
Lovely tutorial m’dear :)
That’s awesome Kirsty!! Love the pretty pieces of fabric at the tops. The idea of toilet bags is brilliant.
Fabulous idea Kirsty. Very chic!
¡Que buen tutorial! Y el resultado de esta buena idea es perfecto…¡felicidades!
Looks great , but when you turn it inside out isn’t there a chance the tread will rip out of the vinyl?
Maybe i should just try one, thank you for sharing
If you are really rough while you turn it it’s probably possible to rip the vinyl. I just took my time and it came out fine.
Love this. I have been thinking I needed something like this in our house and now I know how! Very clever idea to add the fabric at the top.
You’re such a smarty pants! Great idea!
Great tutorial, will have to make some for my grandchildren. Thank you.
Cute idea! I keep meaning to make myself a toilet bag like this
Fantastic! I can see some of these in my future for sure-esp with the tried and tested tips
These are great…love the clear view and splash of colour
These are fabulous Kirsty! Functional and stylish at the same time! Thanks for sharing your expertise!
I love this idea. I have some vinyl and will have to get busy making some pouches.
Love this, great idea !
Thanks for the tutorial !!
xEva
Great tute… these look amazing. Back into the swing? Hows the new machine?
Kirsty, this is just AMAZING. Thanks for the tutorial, great idea these vinyl pouches.