Sew Illustrated: Sewing Machine Accessory Pouch - The Jolly Jabber Quilting Blog

Fat Quarter Shop, Fat Quarter Shop Team, FQS Staff Gets Quilty

Sew Illustrated: Sewing Machine Accessory Pouch

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It’s time for round two of Sew Illustrated with Heidi from Fabric Mutt! Today, we’re bringing you a little sewing room organization hack!

I was forever losing my sewing machine accessories and manual until I finally decided to sew a zipper pouch to keep them all together.
This patchwork pouch is designed specifically for the job. It’s quick to sew and a great way to feature your favorite prints. Fill the pouch with supplies, tuck the manual in the outside pocket, and get ready to sew!
The Sewing Machine Accessory Pouch
Finished Size: 9 1/2″ x 9 1/2″

  • All seams are 1/4” unless otherwise stated.
  • HSTs = half square triangles
  • WST = wrong sides of the fabric together
  • RST = right sides of the fabric together
  • Wherever possible, press seams open or toward the darker fabric.
  • Baste = sew with a long stitch about 1/8” from the edge to hold something in place

Make the Pouch Front
1. Pair each of the B squares with a D square, stacking them RST. Trace a diagonal line on the wrong side of the D square (or create a temporary line by folding the D square in half diagonally, pressing with your iron, and then unfolding the square). Sew a line on either side of the diagonal line and then cut down the line itself. Unfold the the HSTs, press, and trim each one to 2 1/2 x 2 1/2” square. When you’re done, you should have a total of 8 HSTs, 2 from each fabric pairing.

2. Lay out all the pieces for the pouch front as shown in the photo above. Sew together the four squares for each of the chevron blocks (A, B/D HSTs, E), remembering to keep matching colors together and to be careful with your placement according to the direction of the fabric.

3. Sew a sashing strip (F) between the upper chevron blocks (along the long ends of the F strip) and then repeat with another F strip and the lower chevron blocks. Also sew together the remaining F strips (along the short ends of the F strip) and the center square as shown in the photo above.

4. Sew together the upper, middle, and lower units. Trim the final block to 9 1/2 x 9 1/2’’.

5. Fuse the wrong side of the patchwork front to a 9 1/2 x 9 1/2’’ square of batting (J) using adhesive basting spray. Repeat with the pouch back panel (G) and remaining J square. Quilt both the front and back panels as desired.

Make the Back Pocket
1. Fold the pocket piece (H) in half, with WST, so that the 9 1/2’’ edges meet. Slip the pocket batting rectangle (K) inside the fold, securing it with adhesive basting spray if you like. Topstitch across the top of the pocket 1/8’’ from the fold.
2. Lay the pocket on top of the pouch back so that the raw edges of the pocket line up with the lower and side edges of the backing. Baste in place. (Tip: I find that it works best to baste the lower edge first and then the sides. This keeps the upper edge of the pocket from tilting askew.)

Finish the Pouch
1. Stack from bottom to top in this order along the upper edge of each piece: pouch front (right side up), zipper (right side down), and lining square (piece I — right side down). Stitch them together along that upper edge.

2. Press the lining piece back from the zipper (but not the pouch front) and top stitch the lining in place against the zipper 1/8’’ from the seam. Now press the pouch front back from the zipper also. Repeat steps 1 & 2 on the opposite side of the zipper with the pouch back and remaining lining piece.

3. Unzip the zipper at least halfway and fold the pouch exterior pieces away from the zipper so that they lie on top of each other, RST, with the teeth of the zipper pointed toward the exterior. Clip or pin them together. Then clip or pin the lining pieces, also RST, on the other side of the zipper.

4. Starting on the lower edge of the lining pieces, sew all the way around the pouch pieces, leaving a 5-6’’ gap in the bottom of the lining and backstitching at the start and finish.

5. Trim off the excess pieces of zipper and trim the seams down slightly at the corners of the exterior and lining. Pull the pouch right side out through the gap in the lining, push out the corners with a turning tool, and press. (Tip: If you pull the pouch right side out and find the pocket on the front panel instead of the back, don’t panic! Just carefully manipulate the pocket, turning it right side out — instead of lining side out — so that it’s right where it belongs on the back panel of the pouch.)

6. Tuck the raw edges inside the gap, press, and sew 1/8-1/16’’ from the edge to sew the opening closed. Push the lining inside the pouch and press one last time.

7. If you like, thread a piece of leather lacing through the hole in the zipper pull and knot it. Fill the pouch with your sewing machine’s accessories: special feet, extra needles, tools, etc. Tuck your sewing machine manual in the back pocket. Now you’ll be able to find everything when you need it!

The ladies from Fat Quarter Shop knew this was the perfect addition to their sewing rooms! It’s so fun to see the mix of fabrics, and how different this little accessory pouch can look with different colors!

    
 
We can’t wait to see your photos of your trinket cases! Be sure to tag us on Instagram @fatquartershop and @fabricmutt with the hashtag #sewingmachinepouch.
Did you miss the first Sew Illustrated project? Don’t worry! You can find the tutorial and photo instructions here! There’s some holiday fun coming to the Sew Illustrated series, so check back next month!

8 comments

  2. Another great tutorial Heidi, and I just love whoever made the FQS pouch out of the new V and Co. fabric, can't wait for that fabric to come out!!

  6. Just finished up this sweet pouch! Heidi makes the sweetest things and love her tutorials! Can't share it yet as it's for a secret swap with my guild!

  7. I love this pouch pattern! And wow! After reading about the Bernina 330 I definitely have to say this machine would be a fairy tale dream come true!

  8. I love everything that Heidi makes, always such great tutorials also. What is the fabric line that she used, I love the lining, so sweet.