Thanks for all the nice comments about the Disney shirt design. Judging by the number of people wearing matching shirts at Disney parks you would think there actually was a mandatory shirt requirement for groups.
I was home with Buddy yesterday and found some time to make these pouches I spotted in this book that I received. The book is called "Kokoro: Cherished Japanese Traditions in Hawaii" and it's pretty neat. It covers holidays, food, crafts, language and other types of Japanese culture in Hawaii.
This was under the crafts sections as a "drawstring fabric pouch." It turned out to be a really easy project that creates a little pouch with pockets from a square piece of fabric. I liked it so much that I created a short tutorial. Please note that to make the pouch you need to start with a square piece of fabric that already has finished edges such as a scarf. For my pouches I sewed two square pieces of fabric together with an 1/4" seam allowance and then turned it right side out. (Added: The tutorial's a bit hard to read so here's a pdf version.):
For my pouches I used a 12"x12" scrapbook sheet as a pattern and with the seam allowances the finished pouch is about 5"x5" in size.
Here's a couple of other pouches I made:
The first one is sewn with the pocket on the outside and the second one is sewn with the pockets on the inside. I experimented with the cherry fabric one at the top. Instead of overlapping the side flaps I folded one side flap on either side. This creates pockets on both the outside and the inside of the pouch. Unfortunately, the pockets created aren't as usable when you do this method, but it does create a nice geometric design.
My granddaughter loves this bag. I have made several to match her outfits for school (also custom made) along with the scarves she loves. Now I just make two scarves - one for her hair, one for a bag. Thanks so much.
Posted by: Melinda | August 20, 2008 at 05:35 AM
Hello Ami,
Thanks so much for posting the instructions for this sweet bag. I'm a bit confused though because my bag is all one color on the outside and the bag you show (the beautiful red and white one) has two colors on the outside. I sewed two pieces of fabric together as you suggested but when I sew up the sides, the bag will be all the same color as well as the flaps. Any ideas on what I did wrong? Thanks a bunch.
Pam
Posted by: Pam Luke | December 11, 2008 at 10:06 AM
I have been looking for this post. I have a bag like this that I have been wanting to reproduce. Thank you.
Posted by: beinred | February 11, 2009 at 07:40 PM
I just made my first pouch. It so easy and fun to make. I like to make a really big one for a knitting bag. Thanks for sharing this pattern. Any other Origami patterns?
Posted by: Judy Friesner | February 13, 2009 at 01:10 PM
i made 6 little ones for my ear rings i love them i make them in the car and i have them every where.:)
Posted by: ashley | July 02, 2009 at 04:03 AM
This is what we in the UK call a Dorset bag!!! Fun to make.
Posted by: Jane | January 01, 2010 at 09:57 AM
Olá!
Linda Bolsa, eu fiz um porta moedas.
Obrigado pelo tutorial.
abços.Richard.
Posted by: Richard | February 11, 2010 at 12:11 AM
Me tooooo! I want to know how you did the little ends on the drawstring! :)
Posted by: Jenn Baker | February 11, 2010 at 02:39 AM
I Love this bag. I made 45 of them last year for a quilting retreat. One for each person.... It was a "Hit"
xoxo
((((hugs))))
Maggie
Posted by: Maggie Robinson | February 11, 2010 at 07:42 AM
Love it! Come link your cute tute at my party: Thursday's Treasures!!
http://treasuresfortots.blogspot.com/2010/02/thursdays-treasures-week-9.html
Posted by: Angela Neil | February 11, 2010 at 04:25 PM
Thankyou for this pattern ,I fell in love with it and made it straight away in Japanese fabrics it is so nice
thanks again
Hazel
Posted by: Hazel Scott | February 13, 2010 at 07:08 AM
Thank you for your lovely easy-to-follow tutorial. I am not very good at sewing but I had no problems making this little bag. And I am sure that it won't be the last one.
Sabine
Posted by: Sabine | February 14, 2010 at 11:13 PM
Love your work! How lovely!!! How cool!!!
Am just starting up a"Get Crafty" Carnival - getting people to share their ideas and driving new visitors to each other.
Here is about: http://redtedart.wordpress.com/get-crafty/
Here is the "first" one: http://redtedart.wordpress.com/2010/04/06/april-craft-carnival-nominations-theme/. Will make it "prettier" next time. PLEASE do take part. Your stuff is gorgeous!
Maggy
Posted by: maggy, red ted art | April 13, 2010 at 11:09 AM
Muy hermoso Trabajo !
Me gustaria Hacerlo !
Un abrazo !
Posted by: MARIA CRISTINA | September 29, 2010 at 12:47 PM
MERCI .... Merci
Posted by: dominique francine | December 08, 2010 at 07:58 AM
Thank you so much for this excellent tutorial. I'm pleased that my first attempt turned out quite well :)
Posted by: Cheryl | February 11, 2011 at 09:55 AM