Pop Pouch

If you've been following my blog for very long, you know that I've tested a number of patterns for LiEr of the ikatbag blog. The most recent one was the Port & Sort Tote nearly 3 years ago, although I did proofread and eventually sewed the Bunny with its coat just over a year ago. LiEr writes quite unique patterns, and one I particularly had fun with (besides the Bunny) was The Menagerie pattern because not only was it super cute but there was so much potential for other critters to be made from it.

Well, she's done it again! This time it's a pencil case of sorts... but not just any simple pencil case. It stands upright and looks like this when closed.

Or it could look like this!

Opened up via the zippered top, and you get this.

Or another view looks like this. (Yes, I had a little fun matching the print.)

The zipper tab/handle is a piece of grosgrain ribbon I'd bought in a grab bag. It doesn't exactly go that well, but it was the closest thing I had.

That same ribbon is also used to finish off the inner cup, although it doesn't show unless you lift up and peek under the outer cup, but that edge did need to be bound with something, so why not?

The uniqueness of this pouch is that it can be used at any height. The outer part slides up and down, yet it's constructed such that it stays at the height you put it, so it exposes the contents 'just right'. Here are some examples of it at different heights.

The bottom right photo shows that there are also some little slip pockets on one side for if you want to keep some of the contents separated from the rest and easy to get at. It's a cool little pouch!

The pattern is definitely not for beginners. It's got some fiddly parts to making it, particularly like sewing on the firm round base in a small area. It also has somewhat thick seams in places. But if you're an experienced sewer and have wrangled a bag or two, you can make this. The explanations and photos are very clear for putting it together.

This is a great scrap buster project. I used a bit of canvas that Jess (a.k.a. How About Orange) designed a few years ago for the outer fabric. The inner cup part is from a solid canvas, and the lining is ripstop nylon. LiEr wrote a very helpful blog post about the different fabrics and interfacings that can be used, and you can read that here. The pattern can be purchased in her pattern shop here (it isn't available as of this writing but will be very SOON). There are photos of pouches made by the other pattern testers in this post.

These pouches would be great little gifts... for most anyone! Start your Christmas sewing now! ;)