comfortstitching

kit supply tote

I released a new sewing pattern today, this one is called the Kit Supply Tote. As the name suggests it's perfectly sized for keeping together supplies whether you enjoy knitting or sewing.  The zipper opens wide so you can see everything easily and there are internal pockets on both sides of the lining; Handy for keeping tools organised and easy to reach.

The pattern has two size options - the small size will work well for keeping a project you are working on.  I think of this one as a great in-between size - larger than the average pouch but smaller than a regular tote. 

The larger size will be ideal for taking supplies along to a guild meeting, retreat or class.  You can fit several of my other pouches in this size with ease including the large size Booklet Pouch and the Flip Pocket Folio.

You can find a copy of the pattern here.

I hope you enjoy making one!

flip pocket folio

Today I released a new sewing pattern called the Flip Pocket Folio.  It comes in a portfolio style and opens up to reveal 6 stacked pockets, making it nice and easy to see all the contents at once.  It's going to be a useful one for keeping projects together particularly when you're working on something that requires lots of small objects to be kept at hand.

I can see this one appealing to anyone who loves to paper piece, appliqué or embroider. It would also be perfect for kids to keep pens or small toys in.  

I hope you try making one.  You can find the pattern here.

twice as nice pouch

Today I'm releasing my new Twice As Nice Pouch pattern.  I've been a little bit obsessed with making quick and easy projects lately and this one definitely ticks both those boxes.  A fast finish is not only rewarding but done before I know it.

This one works brilliantly as a basic with a twist that you can return to again and again.  As well as a main zippered compartment, I've included a front vinyl pocket.  Easy to see and grab what you need quickly and easily.

Along with making these for sewing or knitting tools, they are going to be perfect for pens, make-up and more.

For this pouch sample I used some of the new Darlings and Grid fabrics.  Both are by Kimberly Kight for Ruby Star Society.  The zippers are from Zipit on Etsy.

I hope you have fun making this one!  Pattern can be found here.

pop open pouch

I have a new pattern release to share today, the Pop Open Pouch.  I've been slowly making and developing this pattern idea over the past couple of years.  Like all my patterns, the design is formed out of the function/purpose of the bag since I like my pouches to be as user friendly as possible.  This is another one that opens out wide to give a full view of the contents while zipping up securely when not in use.  A few benefits to this design are that it goes together quickly and easily in a couple of hours.  There are no templates involved and only a few pattern pieces to cut.  As a bonus - there is no binding involved.

I used some of the new Darlings fabric by Ruby Star Society for my samples.  The colours in these prints are the best I've seen on fabric for a long time.  If you think it looks good on screen, trust me it's only better in person.

All in all, its my new favourite pouch basic.  

I hope you try one (or several - they are perfect for swaps or gifts).

You can find the pattern here.

 

make and go pouch

I recently decided to add a few new more basic pouch designs to my repertoire.  I feel like I have lots of options for more advanced pouches but sometimes I just want to sew something fast and useful using materials I have on hand.  The idea is to make things that complement and work well with the patterns I already have.  They will also be perfect for those of you who can make a basic pouch but want to work on building up your skill level.

I made up a couple of samples that I think fit this bill perfectly.  The Make And Go Pouch is a simple design which has three zippered pockets.  Two of these are clear vinyl for maximum visibility of contents.  There are also a handy pincushion and needle pages attached.  I decided to keep all pockets zippered because although slip pockets look useful on this type of pouch, in practice they don't keep contents secure when opening and closing.  Items can fly out easily and when those items are seam rippers and scissors, you don't really want that happening.

I wanted a relaxed easy going style for this one and decided on a simple wraparound tie feature to close the pouch.  This is nice and easy to make with no additional hardware required but also works perfectly whether your pouch is empty or full.

With summer on the way, I'm hoping that this will be the perfect pouch to take with you whilst out and about.  It will also work very nicely for when you need to make a quick gift.  If you want to use it as a non sewing pouch, just leave out the pincushion and felt and you have a handy travel pouch.  Kids would also love one for pens and small toys too.

I used up some of the new Ruby Star Society fabric lines for these samples.  For the top one (with the bird pincushion) I used a mix of Social and Spark by Melody Miller, Speckled by Rashida Coleman Hale and Add It Up by Alexia Marcelle Abegg.  I used all Anagram and Grid fabrics by Kimberly Kight for the bottom one.

I get asked a lot about where I buy my zippers.  The ones in these pouches are all from Zipit on Etsy which is where I purchase almost all of mine.  The metal ones at the top are the ones with donut shaped pulls.

You can find the pattern for the Make And Go Pouch here.  

I hope you make one and use it all summer (and beyond).

 

Just In Case Pouch

Today I'm releasing my newest sewing pattern, this one is called the Just In Case Pouch.  It's a nice sturdy case shaped pouch, perfect for keeping a small toolkit together for whatever you are working on.  It features a swing lid that stays fully open whilst in use but zips up securely for storage. I've also included a carrying handle on top.  There will be so many end uses that it will be perfect for.  Sewing and knitting obviously but also ideal for kids toys and travel.  

As with all my patterns its been in development for a long while, at least the last 8 months (and that is likely an underestimate).  There has been so much making of multiple prototypes, problem solving and editing that I feel hugely relieved that all is finally finished and ready.  It's a release in more ways than one.

Here you can see how the lid opens up..

And here is an aerial view of the open and closed pouches.

You can find the pattern here,  I hope you make one (or maybe more)!

all new double zip box pouch pattern

Last year I made a new smaller version of my Double Zip Box Pouch pattern which I've found myself using a lot.  Since I'd worked out all the measurements anyway, I decided to add the new size option to the existing pattern.  Once I finally got around to it, I found myself making a few more adjustments including a leather handle option and new finishing instructions.  What should have taken me a few weeks has ended up taking several months.  I could probably have written a whole new pattern in that time....ah well.

The good news is that even though there weren't any problems with the older version the all new version is definitely much improved.  Things I love about this pattern are that it really does hold a lot and the pockets sit very neatly inside.  I use mine for keeping sewing tools and spools of Aurifil and have also found them handy for keeping pens and drawing tools in.

Recently I've been adding bits of leather here and there into my projects, I love the finish when using it for the handles here along with my favourite metals zips with donut shaped pulls.

Anyhow if you've never tried this pattern before (or even if you have,) I hope you decide to give it a try.  You can find the pattern here.

Happy sewing!

zippered basket pouch

I have a new sewing pattern to share today - This one is called the Zippered Basket Pouch.

The design allows the pouch to open out in a basket shape, making it easy to see what's inside and grab what you need.  When not in use, it zips up securely for storage or travel.  It's a handy one for both sewing and knitting projects as well as kids toys and whatever else you might like to keep in pouches..

The best thing about it is, it's all done in straight seams making this a great choice if you are new to intermediate pouch patterns.

I hope you make one (or six).  Trust me you'll find a use for them all.

You can find the pattern here.

speedy vinyl pouches

I have a new pattern to share with you today - Speedy Vinyl Pouches

I've been on a big organizing kick lately and have been making stacks of these.  They're fast to sew up and speedy sewing means speedy organizing!  The clear vinyl front lets you can see what's inside each pouch at a glance.  Even when everything's tidied away, I can find what I'm looking for quickly and easily.

I've made plenty of vinyl pouches before but I wanted to keep the construction of these as quick and simple as possible.  You can easily make your first one in under an hour and you can sew up a huge pile of these in a couple of hours. They are great to make for gifts or swaps.  You can use them for sewing, travel, kids toys and more.

Pattern includes instructions for three sizes.

I've found the medium size perfect for keeping exactly 10 spools of Aurifloss (or small spools of Aurifil thread).  Great for keeping colours together for a project you are working on.

You'll also find that these are great for using up scraps of both fabric and vinyl, leftover from other projects.  The small size is made from a couple of charm squares plus binding.  The medium can be made from one layer cake square plus binding :)

You can find more pattern details here

I hope you make one (or more).  I promise it will become your new favourite basic pouch!

3-in-1 pouch

It's been a while but I finally have a new pattern to share with you today.  I've called this one the 3-In-1 Pouch.  It opens up nice and wide and has 3 pocket compartments to keep the contents nice and organized.  The construction involved is completely new and unique.  I have to admit it's taken me months to get it all figured out but now that I have it's all wonderfully straightforward to put together.  

Although I've written a couple of patterns for multiple pocket pouches before, the construction of this one is entirely different to anything I've done previously.  This is much simpler to put together (no head scratching or origami involved).  It's also very sturdy and can hold a lot whilst keeping its shape (very important when you actually put it to use).  It works perfectly for organizing your sewing tools or Aurifil thread.  I have a feeling it will be just right for EPP projects too.  I made several prototypes whilst I was writing the pattern and I knew I was on to a winner when all my prototypes were in use on my sewing desk before I'd finished them entirely.  Always a good sign!

I was in a nostalgic mood when I made the sample for these pictures and used a few of my older fabric prints from my lines for Moda Fabrics - Sherbet Pips for the exterior and Posy for the lining.  I really need to dig into the stash and use my hoarded favourites more because I love how it turned out.

You can find a copy of the new pattern here.

I hope you enjoy making this one!