Open Wide Zipper Pouches, take two

I have been on a role since I got back from retreat in October.  I guess all I needed was a little extra time with my creativity and others like me to really get my sew-jo back.  This Sunday I worked on making a bunch more of the Open Wide Zipper Pouch by Noodlehead.  I made my first one back in May of this year and have been using ever since.  I love it so much and I thought that they would make great gifts this year (although to be perfectly honest my ulterior motive was to make more for me! Don't tell anyone.).

I have a bunch of canvas fabrics that I have been wondering what do do with for ages.  I found them again when I was cleaning out my sewing room post-retreat and left them out on the table figuring I'd make a bag or something.  on Sunday, I was having some trouble with the thread tension on a baby quilt I was quilting so I set it aside, picked up these fabrics and just started cutting.

The first fabric I used is Itsy Bitsy, by Heather Ross, which you can still find here.  The other is a fun records print by Melody Miller called Ruby Star from Spring 2012 for Kokka on an 85/15 cotton linen blend.  I have the color ambrosia, which is a lovely sage-mint green.  This is a really large scale print with the records measuring almost 7" across.  I made three pouches in these fabrics, one large in the records and one medium and one small in the the Itsy Bitsy.  I used a heavy weight Pellon fusible interfacing on all of these bags because I like them to have a little more structure and substance and I think they hold up better personally.  Overall, the added weight/bulk didn't impact my sewing.  They are also all lined with the same grey-brown Moda Grunge as my first pouch; perfect for hiding stains.

The second versions that I made are using a fun black and white forest animal canvas, that I think came from Spoonflower, and Essex Linen for the bottom.  I'm pretty sure the color I used is either Graphite or Black.  I made two large pouches and two medium pouches in this combination I love on these how the only color comes from the zippers.  I switched up the colors using various bright zippers.  Aren't they fun?!

My personal favorite is this Bear Boogie in Red by Kokka, a cotton linen blend.  I have no idea where I got this fabric but since it's just so darn cute I'm glad it ended up in my stash some how.  I only made one large pouch out of this one but would love a little set of them to use.  This one isn't completely done yet, I still have to sew the tag to the end of the zipper, but I was so excited to use it that I decided to do that part later.

While cutting/piecing this one I tried to make sure that all of my seams would line up around the bag  and was so pleasantly surprised when I flipped in right-side out and saw this perfectly matched seam!

I still have a few more to finish up before these are completely done.  And they're so fast and easy I might just cut out a bunch more for gifts and to list for sale sometime.  I think a fun modification would be to use laminate fabric for the inside for shower supplies or things that might leak.  I'll have to explore that further too.

Linking up with WIP Wednesday today over at Freshly Pieced.

Noodlehead Open Wide Zippered Pouch {I made a bag!}

It's been quite around here lately, I know.  Work has been very busy the last few weeks plus we've finally cast off the last remnants of winter here in northern New England.  The weather has been absolutely glorious and my desire to be indoors has been minimal.  I'm also busy finishing up the first of two custom commission quilts before I leave for a weeks vacation in Florida with my mom.  (subtext: I'm so excited! I've never been!!)  I've started packing up my toiletries for next week and realized I didn't have a bag big enough to hold everything, so last night when I got home from the gym I wanted to remedy that.

Enter the Open Wide Zipper Pouch by Noodlehead.

Generally I'm afraid of anything three dimensional when it comes to sewing but I said to myself, "Aww screw it! Worst case scenario is: it comes out terrible, in which case I'll probably still use it!"  So in I went.

I went back and forth about which size to make and finally decided to make the large size.  Go Big or Go Home!!  According to the tutorial the large size should finish at 8.5″ H x 8″ W but mine is closer to 8.5" H x 12" W!  I'm not sure if I did something wrong along the way, but I'm not complaining about the size at this point.

I used pearl bracelets in Shadow for the bottom and a tonal cream and tan print for the top.  I can't remember the designer or where I got it from so if anyone knows I'd love the details!  I fused the outside to some Pellon 803 (I think) to help the bag hold it's shape.  According to the tutorial this is optional but I would definitly include it on all the pouches I make in the future.  I had a random invisible zipper from an unmade clothing project laying around that I used.  Next time I think I'll use a heftier zipper.  This one works for now but I worry about the abuse it will take while the pouch is in use.

I used a greyish-brown Moda Grunge for the inside of the pouch.  I figured since it was going to get dirty I mind as well use something that will at least hide a little bit of the dirt.  For the pull tag I wanted to add in some color but my husband veto'd all the bright scraps I pulled out.  I finally settled on this bit of aqua and lime scrap.  I think it's from the Denyse Schmidt Chicopee collection.   I just thought the back ground matched the top half perfectly and the floral pattern is accented with bits of black here and there to tie in the bottom.

Overall this bag took me about an hour to make.  I'll definitely be makings some more.  The tutorial was easy to follow and the bag was fun to make!