Step by step photo tutorial on the making of the Penpal pouch.

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The PenPal Pouch

We know that some people learn better visually rather than reading instructions so I have prepared this step by step photo tutorial to help you making up your Penpals pencil pouch.

You will first need to purchase your pattern here, and work along with the instructions and this tutorial for a perfect error free finish!

The first step is to follow your instructions and complete your stitchery. Once both panels are complete press them well and trim to size as indicated.

Fuse decovil to the bottom edge of your two stitched panels.

Lay all four of the outer stitched panels and lining panels together. Mark a 3/4” point using a washout pen or pencil at the bottom edges

Place your ruler on the mark and then against a top corner and trim.

Next mark the corner squares as indicated and cut out with sharp scissors. You can do all four layers at once, or one at a time if not confident

zipper tab:

Position zipper tab fabric right side down onto right side of zipper so that it just covers the zipper stop. Stitch taking care not to hit the metal zipper stop. Press outwards

press a 1/4” seam in at the opposite end and press (or glue). Fold both sides inwards over the zipper tape and press (or glue) then fold up to meet the seam. Edge stitch on all sides (careful not to hit that zipper stop again)

At the open end fold back the raw ends to the metal stops and glue or pin in place

On an outer stitch panel mark both end marks at the top edge as per instructions

Run a line of glue along the top edge between the two marks. position the right side of zip onto right side of panel with the folded zip end starting at the first mark. Press down onto glue ensuring the raw edges are even.

Next run a line of glue along the edge of the zip again between the two marks and place a lining piece right sides down on top having all edges even.

Using a zipper foot on your machine start from the left/top edge and stitch until you reach the bottom mark. Pull the zipper down into the sandwich and out of the seam allowance and continue stitching to the end. An awl can be helpful to keep everything in place.

open out both layers from zipper and press. You can edge stitch here but I don’t as its hidden later. Just press away from zipper well.

Repeat the process using the other two panels and the opposite side of the zipper. It helps to open the zip and if it gets fiddly when you get to the zipper pull, stop with needle down and move the zipper pull back behind where you’ve already stitched out of the way. This will help to keep your stitch line nice and straight and not go askew when it butts the bulkier zipper pull.

Pull both out panels to one side so they are right sides together. Place two lining ends right sides together. Have the zip 3/4 way open. The zip seams press towards the lining. The end of the zip pull to the outer side and pin so its out of the way. Pin match both side seams.

Stitch around the outer edge using a 1/4” foot and leaving a 3” opening in one side of the lining. Backtack at the ends of each straight side to secure.

Fold a corner so that the seams sit on top of each other and stitch to form the boxed corners. repeat for all 4 corners.

Turn through the opening in the lining, push out all corners well and stitch opening closed.

Push the lining into the bag and smooth out. Press the lining at the zip edge so its sitting smoothly inside the bag.

Pull down tabs:

Fold in half and press. Open and fold edges into centre crease – press (or glue). Fold in half – press (or glue)

Fuse HNK stabiliser to wrong side of contrast fabric using a hot steam iron. Press over the two long edges.

open out and fold right sides together. Stitch down short side to form a tube. Press seam open.Fold long edges back over and press.

Fold the tube wrong sides together so the two long edges are even. Press with seam at one side.

Insert the two tabs inside the two layers, one at the seam and the other at the opposite edge. Clip or pin.

Place over your freearm of the sewing machine and edge stitch securing the tabs as you go.

Put the whole sleeve over the outside top of your bag. Match the side seams and have the top folded edge even with the top outer fabric of your bag, just under the zipper.

Pin or clip to hold. Place over your freearm again and edgestitch securing the sleeve. Make sure not to catch the zipper end.