How to make a Sewing Companion
Carry your tools, threads, etc around with you - sew on the go!
You will need: small pieces of fabric, a ribbon, a bead, a largeish button, elastic for a button loop
Fabric: two rectangles, - one will be the outside (this can be pieced however you want) and one will be the background for the inside (I suggest using a plain fabric). If your fabrics are flimsy, you may want to quilt the outside fabric before using it.
The side pockets measure - I like to use wool, so that needles and pins can be kept on them. They are bound with strips measuring . If you simply want to hem them, add 1.5cm and cut the edge with pinking shears.
The bottom pocket measures - it extends behind the side pockets. It can be bound with a strip (x), or the top edge can be turned under, in which case add 2cm (x). Also, cut a small piece x 2cm to reinforce the centre (scissors pocket).
The flap is the tricky bit - its finished size is at the top, tapering to 1.5cm at the bottom. It is 8cm high, and lined. By folding the lining, you can make a secret pocket (useful for a thimble).
Method
Hem or bind the pockets. To reinforce the scissors pocket, put the 2cm strip centrally and catch the top in the hem or binding (the edges will be caught in the stitching later on.)
Make a paper template for the flap: cut it x ; fold in half lengthwise, mark .75 cm either side of the fold at the bottom, cut from the mark to the top corner.
Cut two flap pieces, and sew (right sides together) along angled and short side; turn right side out. Topstitch the edges if desired.
(If you want to add a button loop, you can add it into the seam at this point, or add it by hand later. The area where the button will be sewn has already been reinforced.)
To make a pocket in the flap lining, use fabric x and fold to leave cm free at the top and cm free at the bottom. Check that the pocket opening is at the top when you add the other part of the flap.
Pin the pockets and flap on the background piece. Sew a scant 0.5cm from the edge to hold them in place.
Lay the outside on top, right sides together. You can add the ribbon tie at this stage, midway up the left pocket, but make sure it won't be caught in the stitching.
Stitch just inside your previous line of stitching, leaving the middle of the bottom open. Trim the corners and turn right side out.
Fold the fabric into the gap left by the opening. You can hand-sew it together, or just pin.
Mark the stitching lines for the small pockets - for the central scissors pocket, put a pin 0.75cm either side of the centre line (check that it aligns with the flap), and put another pin where the side pockets start.
Topstitch round the edge. When you get to the bottom of the long pocket, stitch up to the top of the pocket where the first pin is, turn and stitch back to the edge, proceed to the next pin, till all four lines of stitching are done. (You may want to use an interesting colour of bobbin thread to show on the outside.)
Thread a bead on the end of the ribbon, and the sewing kit is ready to fill with scissors, needles, threads, seam ripper, tape measure - whatever else you need.
You will need: small pieces of fabric, a ribbon, a bead, a largeish button, elastic for a button loop
Fabric: two rectangles, - one will be the outside (this can be pieced however you want) and one will be the background for the inside (I suggest using a plain fabric). If your fabrics are flimsy, you may want to quilt the outside fabric before using it.
The side pockets measure - I like to use wool, so that needles and pins can be kept on them. They are bound with strips measuring . If you simply want to hem them, add 1.5cm and cut the edge with pinking shears.
The bottom pocket measures - it extends behind the side pockets. It can be bound with a strip (x), or the top edge can be turned under, in which case add 2cm (x). Also, cut a small piece x 2cm to reinforce the centre (scissors pocket).
The flap is the tricky bit - its finished size is at the top, tapering to 1.5cm at the bottom. It is 8cm high, and lined. By folding the lining, you can make a secret pocket (useful for a thimble).
Method
Hem or bind the pockets. To reinforce the scissors pocket, put the 2cm strip centrally and catch the top in the hem or binding (the edges will be caught in the stitching later on.)
Make a paper template for the flap: cut it x ; fold in half lengthwise, mark .75 cm either side of the fold at the bottom, cut from the mark to the top corner.
Cut two flap pieces, and sew (right sides together) along angled and short side; turn right side out. Topstitch the edges if desired.
(If you want to add a button loop, you can add it into the seam at this point, or add it by hand later. The area where the button will be sewn has already been reinforced.)
To make a pocket in the flap lining, use fabric x and fold to leave cm free at the top and cm free at the bottom. Check that the pocket opening is at the top when you add the other part of the flap.
Pin the pockets and flap on the background piece. Sew a scant 0.5cm from the edge to hold them in place.
Lay the outside on top, right sides together. You can add the ribbon tie at this stage, midway up the left pocket, but make sure it won't be caught in the stitching.
Stitch just inside your previous line of stitching, leaving the middle of the bottom open. Trim the corners and turn right side out.
Fold the fabric into the gap left by the opening. You can hand-sew it together, or just pin.
Mark the stitching lines for the small pockets - for the central scissors pocket, put a pin 0.75cm either side of the centre line (check that it aligns with the flap), and put another pin where the side pockets start.
Topstitch round the edge. When you get to the bottom of the long pocket, stitch up to the top of the pocket where the first pin is, turn and stitch back to the edge, proceed to the next pin, till all four lines of stitching are done. (You may want to use an interesting colour of bobbin thread to show on the outside.)
Thread a bead on the end of the ribbon, and the sewing kit is ready to fill with scissors, needles, threads, seam ripper, tape measure - whatever else you need.