Binky Pouch Tutorial

I recently shared this tutorial as part of a guest post for Jess at Craftiness is Not Optional.  I hope you find it helpful, and are having a wonderful Independence Day Weekend, for those in the US...or just a fine weekend for everyone else.  :)

I've been lucky enough to be asked to create a baby themed project in celebration of Jess and Rory's new bundle of joy.  If you've ever been frustrated digging in the bottom of your diaper bag or purse for that all important binky, this project is for you.  I'm lucky enough my baby still takes and loves her binky...maybe a little too much sometimes!

So, let's get started.

You'll need:

• The template which you can download HERE.
  
• 12" by 6" scraps of fabric, one for the outer, one for the contrast, and one for the lining.
  
• A small 5" square scrap of cotton batting.
  
• Scraps of interfacing.
  
• Matching thread.
  
• One large matching button.
• 1/2 yard of 1/4" wide grosgrain ribbon.
  
• Measuring tools, cutting tools, and pins.
• Sewing machine.

Cut out all your pieces:

You'll have two big 12.5 by 5.5" rectangles, one for the outer and one for the inner.  Three bottom pieces, including a circle of batting.  Two 2.5 by 5" rectangles for the button tab, and two pieces of interfacing as shown, one is a 1.5" square, and the other is a 2" by 4.75" rectangle. 

Step One.  Preparing the pattern pieces.

Interface one of the button tab pieces, and apply interfacing to the outer fabric as shown:

Pin the batting to the outer bottom piece.  Quilt them together.  I just started in the center, and circled out as I went.

Lastly, make your button tab.  With wrong sides together, sew three sides of the tab.  (Leave a skinny side open for turning.)

Turn the tab right side out, and press. 

Press the opening closed, and then mark your button hole and sew as you did for the outer pouch edge.  I like to put the button where I want it to be, and make two marks at the top and bottom as a guide.

Step Two.  Sew the outer pouch.

Sew the outer pouch into a cylinder.  Put the short sides, right sides together, and sew at 1/4".

You're ready to attach the bottom to the sides.

Step Three.  Sew the pouch liner.

The pouch liner is sewn the same way as the outer pieces were.  Sew the rectangle into a tube with a 1/4" seam.  Sew the bottom to the tube, with the exception that you want to leave a space at the bottom for turning.

Step Four.  Putting it all together.

With the outer pouch still wrong side out, turn the liner right side out and slip it inside the outer pouch.

Sew the along the entire perimeter of the bag, at 1/4" seam.

Time to the liner closed.  Fold the opening in, matching the folds to the seam depth as the neighboring seams.  Topstitch the entire liner.

Tuck the liner into the pouch, and sew two straight seams to hold the bag together and create the casing for the ribbon.  I used my seam gauge as a guide, and sewed one seam just below the button holes, and another just above.

Grab the button tab.

Sew the button in place.  It should be centered on the seam, about 1/2" from the bottom of the pouch.

I  like to place a toothpick or large pin under the button as I sew it on, this prevents me from sewing it too tightly.  I also wrap my thread around the button stitches before I tie the knot.

Final step, thread the grosgrain ribbon through the casing.  I like to use a safety pin to hold onto the ribbon as I push it through.

Congratulations!  You've completed a sweet little pouch.  It's washable, as fashionable as you want it to be, and would also be a great treasure keeper as baby grows up.

As seen on Craft Gossip and One Pretty Thing.

Linked up to Tatertots and Jello, Along for the Ride,  Creative Jewish Mom,  Under the Table and Dreaming,  Sew Can Do,  The Girl Creative,  Sugar Bee,  Blue Cricket Design., Delicious Ambiguity, Women Who Do It All, and Tea Rose Home.

And Somewhat Simple Baby Ideas.