Hexie Pouch - A little tute

In celebration of my birthday today, I thought I'd share a little tute with you!!

It is a big one (the birthday that is) but I'm not feeling one day older than 28 : ) He, he.........

I made this one for my dear friend Rebecca for a swap we did.  I had some requests for a pattern so I thought I'd share a tute with you so you can make one based on the frame you have.  There are lots of different shapes and sizes of purse frames.  Both the pouches pictured use a medium sized frame - 5" wide at the bottom x 1 1/2" tall.  The great news is that you can use any size frame based on this tutorial.

Supplies: (fabric requirements based on a medium sized purse frame 5" wide x 1 1/2" tall)
~1 metal purse frame - I like the sew in type.  The one used in this tutorial is  4"  wide at the top x 5" wide at the bottom x 1½" high. A similar one can be found HERE.
There are also some really cute ones on Etsy HERE
The frame can also be found at Joann fabrics in store.  That is where I purchased mine.  They don't have it online : (
~ 2 pieces 10" x 10" fabric for the shell
~ 2 pieces 10" x 10" fabric for the lining
~ 2 pieces 10" x 10" fusible fleece
~ Perle Cotton Embroidery thread
~Matching thread
~Fabric marking pen or pencil

This is a great project to add hexies or use an orphaned paper pieced block or quilt block.

Making the Pattern

~ Mark a vertical line toward the left edge of your paper.  This is the center or fold line of the pouch.
~ Place the center of the frame on the center line on your paper.
~ Trace the top of the frame to the curve.

~ Pivot the frame at the middle of the curve and trace the rest of the frame. The more of an angle and width you add, the wider and "poofier"  the pouch will be.
~ Add 1/4" to the end of the frame.
~ Draw in the rest of the bag shape and then add 3/8" seam allowance all around.
This pouch measures 7 1/2" High x 8 3/4" wide at the widest point.
I added darts to this pouch to give it a bit more shape.  The darts are 3/4" wide x 1 1/4" tall.

~Note**Another way to check you pattern is to measure the top edge of the frame and compare it to the seam line on the pattern.  The pattern seam should be about 1/2" larger than the frame measurement**

Sewing your pouch together.

The instructions use photos of the pouch pictured above but will work for any pouch pattern.

 

Prepare the outside panels of your pouch.

1) Sew the outside panels of your pouch if doing a paper piecing block, quilt block, or hexie design.

Make sure your block is bigger than the pattern, approx. 10" x 10".

2) Apply the fusible fleece to both wrong sides of your outside pouch panels.

Quilt as desired. 

3) Place your pattern on the quilted panels.  Trace around the edge and cut out.

 If your pattern has darts, stitch them now.

 

 

 

Stitch the outside Pouch

1) Place your outside pouch panels right sides together.

2) Start at the frame/pouch intersection stitch around the bottom to the other side.

Press seam open.

3) Turn right side out.

 

 

 

Stitch the Lining

1) Cut your lining pieces.  Stitch the darts if they are part of the pattern.
2) Place your lining pieces right sides together.

3) Start at the frame/pouch intersection stitch around the bottom to the other side leaving a 3" opening at the bottom for turning.

Press seam open.

 

 

Stitch the outside pouch to the lining

1) Place the outside pouch inside the lining, right sides together.

2) On one side, Stitch the outside pouch  to the lining starting at frame/pouch intersection stitch around the top to the other side.

Repeat for the other side.

Press seam open.

3) Turn right side out.

4) Stitch the lining opening closed with an edge stitch or a hand slip stitch.

 

 

 

Stitch the Frame to the Pouch

 

1) Find the center of you top pouch panel.  Place the center of the purse frame at the center of the pouch panel

2) Starting at the center, baste the frame to the pouch on either side. 

Repeat for the other side

3) Stitch the Frame to the pouch with Perle cotton embroidery thread.

 

I'd love to see your version of the frame pouch.  Please include your projects in my Flickr group here.

 

Have a great day!  My 28th ; ) birthday will be filled with an Art Docent Lesson on Van Gogh to 27 Kindergarteners, hopefully a trip to Anthropologie just for fun, and an evening viewing of "Anna Karenina" with my hubs!

 

xo

Charise