Quick Stitch – Popsicle Pouch

Stephanie Cunnyngham’s positively yummy icy-pole purse is not only cool, it’s dripping with purpose possibilities – kid’s pencil case, teen’s make-up bag; sewing pouch; wallet; or gorgeous gift for young and old.

What you need

• Natural linen (background and pouch back): two squares, 11/2in; four rectangles, 11/2 x 31/2in; two rectangles, 11/2 x 111/2in and one rectangle, 5 x 101/2in
• Assorted print fabrics (popsicle and stick): three rectangles, 21/2 x 31/2in; one rectangle, 11/2 x 31/2in; (zipper ends) two rectangles, 11/2 x 2in
• Print fabric (lining): two rectangles, 5 x 101/2in
• Fusible medium interfacing: two rectangles, 5 x 101/2in
• 30cm (12in) zipper
• Sewing machine with 1/4in and zipper feet
• General sewing supplies

Finished size: 11.5 x 25cm (41/2 x 10in)

1. Arrange the three 21/2 x 31/2in rectangles side by side and sew them together on the long edges. All seams are sewn right sides together with 1/4in allowances. Press the seams open. Rule a diagonal pencil line across the 11/2in linen squares. Place them on the corners of one short end, sew on the lines, trim the seams and press.

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2. For the stick, place the 11/2 x 31/2in print fabric rectangle between two of the 11/2 x 31/2in linen rectangles and sew them together on the long edges. Press the seams open. Sew the stick unit to the short edge of the popsicle unit at the opposite end to the corners.

3. Sew the remaining 11/2 x 31/2in linen rectangles to the short ends of the popsicle and press the seams towards the popsicle. Then sew the 11/2 x 111/2in linen rectangles to the long edges and press the seams towards the popsicle. Trim the pouch front to measure 5 x 101/2in with the design centred.

4. Fold the zipper tab rectangles in half, short edges matching and wrong sides together, and press. Unfold, the fold the raw edges towards the centre crease and press both folds. Fold along the centre crease again and press them well. Fuse the rectangles of interfacing to the wrong sides of the pouch front and back.

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5. Trim the bottom end of the zipper tapes 1/2in from the metal stopper. Slide the tails into one of the folded zipper tabs and topstitch across near the folded edges through all layers. Trim the ends of the tab level with the zipper tape at the sides.

6. Open the zipper halfway. Measure along the zipper from the bottom of the zipper tab for 93/4in. Machine stitch back and forth across the zipper at this point to create a top stop and trim off the excess zipper 1/4in above it. Insert the end in the other zipper tab and topstitch it in place.

7. Centre the zipper, right side down, across one long edge of the pouch front, right side up. There should be 1/4in overhang at each end. Pin the lining, right side down, over the zipper with all the long edges level.

8. Sew the three layers together right across using the zipper foot. Stop with the needle down to move the zipper pull out of the way as you approach it. Fold the lining and pouch front away from the zipper, wrong sides together, and  topstitch close to the fold.

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9. Centre the other edge of the zipper, right side down, along one long edge of the pouch back rectangle, right side up. Pin the second lining rectangle on top, right side down, so the zipper tape is sandwiched between them as before. Stitch, press and topstitch as for the front.

10. Lay the pouch flat on the table and open the zipper. Fold one outer panel over the other and pin the two layers together around the edges. Do the same for the lining pieces. Sew all the way around the pouch and lining, leaving a 3in opening along one side of the lining. Clip the corners, turn the pouch right side out and stitch the opening closed. Push the lining inside the pouch and press.

To contact Stephanie Cunnyngham, Sissy Belle Sews, you can email her at sissybellesews@gmail.com, find her on Instagram at instagram.com/sissybellesews or browse through her work on Etsy at sissybellesews.etsy.com.