Monday, August 17, 2015

two-color zip pouches

My niece Mariah turned 12 last week, so I whipped up a little zip pouch for her. She likes cats and orange--I am the one who likes polka dots and aqua--but I think they all work great together! I love making zipper pouches for gifts because they are fast, easy, fun, and practical, too. They only require a few fabrics, and even the pickiest person can use a zip pouch for something!
For the lining, I used this fun(ky) vintage looking cat print. It's quirky and it makes me smile!
I prefer to make zipper tabs for my pouches because I seem to get much tidier results, plus it's another chance to sneak one more fabric into the mix. I had so much fun making this pouch and I am pretty sure that she liked it, too. Win/win!
My 12-year-old son saw me sewing the pouch above and he requested one for a Lego mosaic kit he made, so he and I sat down and chose the fabrics together. His go-to color scheme is blue and green, so that narrows things down fairly quickly. I love how these fabrics work together!
He didn't have his zip pouch in hand for very long at all before it was in use. I can't tell you how much I love the fact that my kids love (and even request) that I make things for them. It's pretty sweet!
I asked my 14 year old if he wanted a zip pouch, to which he replied "wouldn't say no!", so he got one in his signature colors of orange and gray. It's fun to have things color coded for each member of the family.
While I was at it, I made a third one as a gift for my sister. I still want to make a few more for me and my daughter, but I stopped at 3 for the day. Things snowball way too quickly!
I love the contrasting linings and the polka dot tabs! I always try to keep the linings light in color so things inside are easier to see/find.
For each one of these, I used a bit of selvage for a label. Yay!
All three of these are made with my soon-to-be-released fabric line, good neighbors. (I think it's just over three weeks until release date! I can't wait!) These were actually made from the strike-offs of the fabric I got earlier this year.
The pattern for the zip pouch is included in the collaborative book Gifty 2015, which is published by Connecting Threads. The pattern is also available for an individual download here, if you care to make some of your own.
 
It is completely possible that this blog post took me longer to write than the pouches took to sew! And that's no joke! :)
 
Happy Monday to you!

35 comments:

Leanne said...

Your fabric is so cheerful, I love the designs.

Debbie said...

These are super cute in Good Neighbors! Very fun.

mary-myneedlethead.blogspot.com said...

Those are the cutest pouches!!! Love them. Hugs Mary

mary-myneedlethead.blogspot.com said...

Those are the cutest pouches!!! Love them. Hugs Mary

Mine-rSewFun said...

I love your zipper pouches...thanks for your post!!! Glad you took the time :-)

Di~ said...

I LOVE THEM ALL!!!!!!!!!!!

leanne said...

they're all so super cute - love your happy fabrics !

Dawn said...

I say.....who doesn't love a great zippered pouch? lol These are great!
As I was reading your post I hoped that you would tell us about the fabric. And lo and behold......you did! Saved me from asking what it is. I love it! I love the x's and the one that at a glance looks like like chicken feet tracks. Can not wait for it to hit the stores. It's a definite must have.

skrawek tęczy said...

Piękne kosmetyczki! Śliczne tkaniny! Pozdrawiam:)

Timi said...

These pouches are great!!!

Dorothy said...

so who's fabric is the "vintage cats" ?

Kim B. said...

so fun to see your name on the selvage! good luck on the launch of your line!!

marita boutens said...

Love your pouches and fabric. It's already Tuesday here in the Netherlands. :-) Greetings from Holland. Love to see what you make overthere!!!

margot said...

Love the bags! and the fabrics are fabulous! Can't wait to get my hands on some!

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

I really like your fabric and have been waiting to see that it has been released. I like the zipper tabs too. It gives such a finished look. Thanks for the links to the pattern and book too.
xx, Carol

Lea said...

I love both the pouches and the fabrics. Congratulations on the fabric line! The colors are fun, fresh and modern:)

Poções de Arte said...

Bom dia!
Vc fez parecer ser tão fácil ao dizer que o post demorou mais que costurar... Bom, não seria assim pra mim que não domino essa arte.
Legal ter feito pra toda a família e melhor ainda são os filhos pedindo para usá-las com diferentes fins, adorei!
Todas as estampas são lindas e de bela combinação, mas gostei mesmo da de gatinhos, como ficou cute e que belas cores!!!!
Abraços,
Márcia.

Suzanne said...

Someday I would love to see my name printed on a selvage. Pinch yourself for me. Since I'm not sure that will ever happen (because I don't know that I'm willing to work as hard as you do), maybe I better have labels made. Xoxo

the momma said...

3 weeks?? I'm not sure I can wait that long!
(your bags are all cute!)

Anne said...

Love these pouches.
LOVE the fact that you used the selvages inside.
REALLY LOVE that the release of your new fabrics will coordinate oh so well with my needing to spend some birthday money. :D

Diane Beavers said...

Amanda Jean, I'm with you;) the zipper tab ends really class up your bags. That selvage edge inside rocks...I've been saving those!
My grown 30 plus son got some made- by- me zipper pouches too; just to hold trinkets, stuff in his vehicle. See, Your son's will always need your talents.
Thanks for sharing Good Neighbors, looking forward to shopping for it.

bluestarof2(at)yahoo(dot)com

margaret said...

I am loving your fabrics especially the orange, very nice pouches too have yet to try making any

Quilt Fabric Pizazz said...

Very Cute zipper bags. This pattern is available for free on the Missouri Star Quilt tutorials. Simple to make as you say and great for lots of purposes.

Bridgit said...

My daughter loves orange, polka dots, cats and aqua, so the first pouch would be a smash with her! I love the Lego mosaic kit... I'll mention it to my kids; I suspect they will want to make one too!

Malinda said...

I can't wait for your fabric to become available. I'm saving my money so I can buy some of each print!

naurispelto said...

Lovely fabrics and combinations! I should also try that method for zippers :)

Christina said...

They're fantastic! I love the fabric and combinations. I also love that response from your son "wouldn't say no". Ha, ha.

Sarah Craig said...

I cannot wait for the release of your fabric line!!! And those zip pouches are so cute - I see some of those in my crafting future!

SewPsyched! said...

Polka Dots!!! I just love the combos you used, especially the interiors. Congratulations on your new fabric line! I can't wait to see it in my LQS!!
XX!

Gina said...

Great pouches. Like you I love making pouches for presents. I've also made quite a few for myself as I find them really useful

Unknown said...

I would love to make some of these from your pattern. I don't live in the US or Canada so cannot buy online from Connecting Threads, even for a PDF pattern. Any suggestions you can offer would be gratefully received! They are just gorgeous!

LynneP said...

These pouches are GREAT and I really like your new fabric line-Congrats.

Becky said...

I LOVE the zip pouches! They are so fun!

Unknown said...

Squeal!!!!!! Selvege edge inside pouch!!!!

Joy said...

What a fabulous idea to use the selvedge as a label. Not everyone can do that. Congratulations on the release of your new line.