Long Island Sewing Teacher: "I don't have anything I can sew! "

Sound familiar ? "I don't have anything to wear?" I can always find something to sew!!!!

Do you save the scraps and remnants from a project for some possible future use ? Or do you feel overwhelmed by the clutter and throw away the scraps because you simply have no place to store the stuff ? I probably can find a use for almost anything but I have to keep everything labeled, organized and clean! I think I inherited this gene from my Mom who grew up in the mid-west during the depression. Need I say more ?

Many quilters by default construct an orphan quilt which is a very practical application. But this time I tried to think outside the box and create something equally pragmatic. I decided to create a bunch of zippered pouches that can be used to hold pencils, scissors, rotary blades, cell phone, glasses, money, coupons, make-up, etc. etc. All those odd ball colored zippers are finally getting used. All those scraps of cotton batting left over from quilts are actually getting used. I used up strips of mesh stabilizer! I even used up a dozen half wound bobbins with odd color thread.

This tree hanging was constructed with an assortment of leftovers. And the triangles on the base of the tree stand was constructed with super tiny scraps!

Getting back on track to my latest project during Covid Confinement. I can always find something to work on.

I started out by using one of those 'In-The-Hoop' zippered pouch embroidery software designs. I pre-quilted the entire back according to their directions and part of the front where there are three rows of satin stitches. Sewing the entire project in the hoop didn't meet my expectations. The directions aren't particularly user friendly. I found myself reading and re-reading the directions half a dozen times! So I did the construction portion on my regular sewing machine. I personally do not like to create seam allowances with an embroidery machine. I feel the standard sewing machine gives a stronger seam because of the way the stitch is formed and because 40 wt. polyester or cotton thread is more substantial than rayon embroidery thread.

The handle strips were cut 2" wide by 12 " long. Fold twice and topstitched for durability. I even used the remainder of a zipper tape for one handle. If I wait long enough I can find a purpose for any sewing item.

Maybe I'll stuff gift cards in these for presents. Maybe I will put my husband's reading glasses in a pouch and hang one on every door knob in the house so he find them. 😊

The backs are created 'in the hoop' using the mesh stabilizer. The pouch back measures 6x10 inches. Yes, I trimmed off the extra and saved them.

I cut off the vertical strips of mesh stabilizer and stitched them together so I could re-use the scraps rather than throw them out. This works just fine for a craft project.

This is the front of the pouch. The division between the black on the left and the yellow has three rows of satin stitches. At this point I remove it from the hoop and complete the process by standard sewing. Place the two halves right sides together. Sew a 1/4 inch seam around the entire outside. Turn it inside out. Remember to keep the zipper open about half way or you wont be able to turn it inside out !