Sarah Ashford is back with us today sharing this cute Fabric Selvage Zip Pouch sewing tutorial. It’s a great way to use up some of those adorable fabric selvages you’ve been saving! If you don’t save your fabric selvages you might just start after seeing Sarah’s cute tutorial!
I’ve been collecting selvages for about 5 years now. It’s got to the stage where I have so many, I really can’t ignore them anymore, I need to do something with them! After all, they are often so lovely, with cute animal repeats, sayings, and logos; they are too good to waste.
This time I wanted the selvages to be the star of the show! Sselvagessigned a zipper pouch with the selvages at the center. Let me tell you how…
How to Make a Fabric Selvage Zip Pouch:
Fabric Selvage Zip Pouch Supplies:
Between 8 – 10 selvages with cute details that you want to show case (Approx 10” long)
Heavy weight interfacing – 9” x 8 ½”
Side strips – Two 2 ¼” x 7 ½” and medium weight interfacing of the same size
Back Panel – 12” x 7 ½”
Wadding – two pieces 12” x 7 ½”
Lining fabric – two pieces 12” x 7 ½”
12 weight Aurifil thread
General sewing supplies (sewing machine, cutting mat, ruler, rotary cutter, thread etc.)
To Make:
Create the Selvage Section:
First of all, you’re going to make the selvage section. Take the piece of medium weight interfacing and pin your chosen selvage to the bottom. Stitch along the bottom along the bottom edge to secure in place.
Now take the next selvage and pin in place, overlapping with the first selvage so when you stitch it down you are also stitching the top of the first selvage.
Keep working in this way building up the row of selvages until all of the interfacings is covered with selvages.
Trim up the selvages to 7 ½” high by 8 ½” wide.
Take the two side panels and interface to give added structure. Stitch to either side of the selvage panel.
Line and Hand Quilt:
Fuse the wadding to the panel using spray baste then quilt the panel as you wish. I decided to add some hand quilted rows within the selvages and then use straight line quilting down the side panels.
Take the back panel of the zipper pouch and fuse the wadding to this panel. Again, quilt as desired. I’ve decided to use vertical straight line quilting in a white thread, just to give it a very subtle textual effect.
Construct the Zip Pouch:
Now it’s time to construct the zipper pouch. Take the front selvage panel and place right side up. Next, take the zipper and place right side down, aligned with the top edge of the front panel. Ensure the zipper is on the left.
Using a zipper foot, stitch as close to the zip as you can. Now take the first lining piece and place right sides down, aligning with the top of the zipper. Clip in place and stitch close to the zip.
Fold the lining back so that it’s wrong sides together with the front panel. Iron in place and topstitch across the top to secure.
Finishing:
Now to add the back panel. Place the back panel right side up and the completed panel right side down, followed by the lining piece right side down.
Press the back panel and lining away from the zip and topstitch in the same way as you did the previous side.
Now for the important bit. Open the zipper HALF WAY. You will need to do this to be able to turn your project the right way out! Place the front panel and back panel so they are right sides together and the lining pieces so they are right sides together. Clip all the way around and stitch using a ½in seam, leaving a gap in the lining for turning.
Clip the corners, trim the excess zipper and turn the pouch the right way out through the gap in the lining. Slip stitch the lining closed to complete your pouch.
Now time to fill it with all your sewing essentials and be the envy of your sewing group or Guild. Or why not use it for your phone and wallet as it can double up as a super stylish clutch!
I hope you’ve enjoyed putting your selvages to good use.
Happy sewing
Sarah x
About the Maker:
Sarah Ashford is a British Quilter and embroiderer and founder of the GreatBritishQuilter challenge on Instagram. Sarah regularly contributes projects to magazines and loves to spread the joy of quilting everywhere she goes. Follow her on Instagram at @sarahashfordstudio and be sure to check out her beautiful sewing room decals in her Etsy shop www.etsy.com/shop/
