the Poppycock pouch step by step tutorial

For those who are visual learners this step by step photo tutorial in conjunction with the pattern available here will assist in the construction of the Poppycock Pouch.

Complete your embroidery on the tongue panel and the hexies as per the instructions first.

Cut the hexies out on the outer transfer lines. Fuse the included EPP iron-on ¾” hexie papers centrally on the back of each hexie. Glue the seam allowance over the paper template.  Repeat on all 6 sides. Complete all 12 hexies.

Make two rows of 6 x hexies  by placing right sides together and whip stitching using a HNK applique needle and strong blending thread.

Using spray baste fuse outer bag fabric and the embroidered tongue piece to foam batting.

Oops I forgot to take pics of the tongue part and the next few steps... it's pretty simple, I think you'll be able to work it out and follow the directions!  panel.

Place Template A onto one end of the tongue strip, mark and cut the corners to give a curved end. Edge stitch by machine 1/8” from all outside edges.

Fold the outer panel in half and mark the centre points.  Position a hexie strip 1 ¾” from the top edge centring at this point. Glue baste into position. Repeat with the other strip on the other side of the bag. Hand (or machine) applique into place

note: my zips are already on, but after making it I felt it would be easier to applique the hexies on first. You can do it either way

Measure 2” from the curved end of the tongue strip. Mark on both sides.

Pull apart one piece of zipper tape. Turn one end of each at a right angle so that the raw edges are at the edge of the zipper tape and clip or baste to hold.

Position one half of zipper teeth side down on right side of tongue with the turned end at the marked point. Pin down long side of tongue with edges even.  Stitch using 1/8” seam allowance. Repeat with other half of zip on the opposite side of the tongue.

Position a 1” piece of hook and loop tape on one end of the tongue lining strip ¾” from the raw edge. Edge stitch into place by machine. (sorry no pic) Place lining strip right sides together with tongue with the tape at the curved end and stitch using ¼” seam allowance leaving the short end open for turning. Clip curves,  Turn to right side and press well. Edge stitch around all four sides with a blending thread.

Open the other zipper and attach to two opposite sides of the outer bag square using an 1/8” seam allowance. Again the teeth are facing the right side of the bag panel.

Place lining piece right sides together and stitch through all layers on both zip ends. Turn to right side, press and edge stitch along all four edges.

Fold handle strip in half, open and fold both outer edges to centre, fold in half again. Edge stitch around all four sides

Fold outer bag (right side out) and place tongue piece in between the two zips. Attach zipper pulls from the straight end ensuring the ends (of the tongue and bag) are even and square. Close the zips.

Turn the bag to the wrong side. Fold the tongue in half to find the centre point and mark. Keeping the bag flat at this point mark the centre of the bottom of the bag – and the two centres at the opposite end.

Fold the bag flat in the other direction so that the centres are matching. Klip and stitch across both ends using a ¼” seam allowance. (ensure the curved flap is folded back and not caught in the seam).  Check that both ends of the bag are square – use a cutting mat with measurements to ensure the complete bag is square – mark, adjust, trim and restitch if not.

Corners: Mark a 1 ½” square at each corner (from the seam line to the fold) on all four corners. Cut out on the line removing the four corner squares.

Binding: measure and cut two strips the width of the two ends. Place right sides together and stitch a ¼” seam. Fold to the raw edge, then over to meet the stitch line. Edge stitch through all layers.

Boxed ends:

On the curved end fold the bag corners so that they sit flat with the bound seam exactly in the centre. Have the seam allowance upwards towards the tongue. Ensure you flatten the outer fabric inside the seam so that there are no creases and it is sitting flat. Klip and stitch a ¼” seam. Repeat for opposite side.

On the straight end do the same however insert your handle in the opening ensuring it is centred and the raw ends are even with the bag. Stitch both sides again with a ¼” seam allowance.

Cut four strips of binding the width of each seam + ½”. Bind each of the four corners – stitch to wrong side- then fold in a ¼” seam at each short end – fold to raw edge, then over to meet the stitch line as before. Edge stitch – all raw edges should be enclosed.

Turn the bag to the right side and press all edges of your box to make it sit square.

Zipper pull handle:

Fold ¼” in at each end of handle strip and press. Fold strip in half wrong sides together and press. Open and fold each edge to the  centre fold, press, fold in half and press. Edge stitch around all sides of the strip using a blending thread.

Insert the zipper pull handle into the ends of the zip pulls and tie off.

Fold down the curved flat so it sits on the outer bag. Match the hook and loop position and sew on the loop side of your tape to close.  (sorry no pics but Im sure it makes sense!)