How to make the “alicethelma” pouch – a step by step sewing tutorial.

Got your sewing machine threaded and ready? Ok. Here goes.

I’m using 4 pieces of fabric approximately 8″ by 4″ in two different prints – two pieces of each pattern – plus a seven inch zipper.

Start with the fabric that will be the outside of the pouch. Remember, the pouch is not reversible but merely lined. Sew one of the outer panels to the zipper as shown above, with right sides together (right side of fabric to right side of zipper).

When you fold it back and press it will look like this:

Sew the second outer panel to the zipper the same way and with both pieces sewn to the zipper, it will look like this:

Now we’ll proceed with the lining. Sew the lining pieces to the zipper the same way you sewed the outer pieces to the zipper. You’ll actually place the right side of the fabric to the wrong side of the zipper like so:

When you fold back the lining and press, it will look like this:

Repeat with the second piece of the lining, like so:

So you now have four pieces of fabric sewn to the zipper. With me so far? Now unzip the zipper and line up the pieces with right sides together, outside to outside and lining to lining. You may want to pin it together. Unzipping the zipper is critical in turning the entire piece inside out.

Now, starting at the bottom of the lining, sew all the way around (about one inch in) leaving an opening at the bottom of the lining of about 3 inches.

Before turning it inside out, you can trim the corners like so.

You can also trim along the seams and any extra fabric that might add unnecessary bulk.

Now turn the whole thing inside out.

It will look something like this.

Press the whole thing real good with your iron paying careful attention to the opening at the bottom of the lining. I normally just sew the opening closed with a machine stitch but I’m sure you can find other, more clever ways to do this, such as by hand. But I’m in a bit of a hurry here so I just top-stitched it. It’s going to be tucked inside the pouch so no one is going to see it anyway.

Tuck the lining inside and give it another good press and voila! you’re finished!

A Word About Zippers

Don’t be afraid of them. My zipper installation would have been made much easier with the use of a zipper foot but I simply couldn’t find mine. I just don’t sew that often. I noticed that the zippers I purchased actually came with instructions.

Zippers are relatively cheap so if you’re unsure, pick up an extra and play around. Experiment. Let me know what happens.

BTW: I would love your feedback. If anything in these instructions seems unclear or could use more clarification, please let me know. This is my first tutorial in a long time and I feel a little rusty. And if you do end up making one of the “alicethelma” pouches, send me a photo. I would love to see your creation. Good Luck!