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| Meet the 5 pocket zippered pouch's 3 pocket cousin... |
This is like two zippered pouches attached together in the middle, creating a third open pocket.
The joined structure of the two projects is the same, so if you've previously made the 5 pocket pouch, this one should be a breeze. (Or, if you saw the first version and were frightened away by it, this is a good place to start and build the necessary skills.) The only real difference is that the panels of this pouch are "darted" to provide room at the bottom.
To make the project a bit more challenging, I decided to use ribbon as my fabric.
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| Self made ribbon "fabric"... |
Shown above are five 21.5" lengths of ribbon (the dotted ones 2.5" wide and the solid 3" wide) zigzag stitched together. To the back of this, I attached four pieces of fusible fleece (per a template provided by the YouTube channel's author; see info at end of post) and then cut them out to be used as the four exterior panels.
Four corresponding (noninterfaced) lining pieces complete the main project; I used fabric from a duvet cover, last recycled into my ironing mat, I believe.
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| Side by side comparison with the 5 pocket pouch... |
While I like how the use of ribbon turned out, it's not something that I would do again for a project like this. There is a lot of handling and turning right side out of the pieces that creates a mess, cut ribbon being notorious for fraying.
Also, sewing this thick (coated) polyester is similar to sewing vinyl. The presser foot sometimes gets stuck and your stitching may be wonky.
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| Close up of the middle section of the bag... |
At least I determined at the beginning that — to ensure not having to deal with frayed ribbon edges along the zipper tape — I used the actual edge of the ribbon as the top edge of the panels.
This was one of those video projects for which I made myself a document based tutorial. I may want to make something similar in future with different starting dimensions and panel shape, with or without darts.
Speaking of darts, they allow the pouch to fold flat...
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| Folds flat when not in use... |
... they can also form a wide base for the pouch...
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| Darts can create a wide base... |
... or they can give a gentle curve to the bottom.
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| ... or a nicely curved base... |
I intend to use this (partly) as a makeup/toiletries bag for my carry-on when I fly. My normal toiletry tote contains stuff that's not permitted for carry on, but I keep certain bare necessities with me. We've had our luggage go missing for a day or two, so I am now always prepared for that bit of potential unpleasantness.
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| Open wide... |
With a finished size of about 5.5" high x 8.5" wide, it will hold quite a bit. (The original project was designed as a small purse or wristlet and includes instruction for making strap anchors and an adjustable strap.) I managed to stuff three folded dish cloths into each zippered pocket.
With a rivet kit at my disposal, I made a tab out of the solid red ribbon and used a couple of rivets on the back to attach it.
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| View of side and back... |
The creator of this tutorial is YouTube channel author SewingTimes. (She's an amazing sewer.) The video — she called it the DIY TWIN PURSE BAG — was uploaded October 3, 2019 if you want to search for it.
By the way, in keeping with a recent post about sharing our failures, let me say that I had a supremely dumb moment right at the end. The tutorial doesn't make a point of explicitly telling you to keep your zippers at least partially open, but I truly should have known better.
One of my zippers was in fact completely closed — the one that mattered, of course. Try as I might to move the head from the underside, I gave up and had to unpick enough of the bottom seam to reach inside and tug the zipper open.
Was it one of those "I'm almost finished" kind of mistakes? Maybe.
Do you find yourself rushing — just a wee bit — when you see a project coming to an end?
Love the red and white dots! Cute bag. I forgot once to open zipper and I used a skewer to push the zipper open. Never forgot again! I am having sewing withdrawals! I have been making kits for projects to sew when I can again. I have so many projects piled up, will I even be able to get to sew them? I am improving, but so slowly! Meanwhile I am getting inspiration from you and other bloggers out there.
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