Hello there!
So this would normally make a good video but I can’t do videos because I have awful hands. So I have to do a series of photos. Sorry about that! So here is a written piece about how I make my ouch pouches.
My ouch pouches are possibly my most popular item. They always fly of the shelf when I have made them. But they are surprisingly time consuming because of the little crosses. The price doesn’t really reflect the time it takes to make them but I just feel if I keep upping the price in line with inflation and all that they will soon become a premium product.
This bunch of nine is for a friend who is taking them as gifts to the other side of the world. They fit the bill perfectly being handmade, flat and therefore easy to pack and of course super duper useful. I love that she has shopped with me.
First thing I do is cut out the pieces, two small rectangles for the ends of the zips and two large rectangles for the front and back.
I then sew the small rectangles to the ends of the zips to neaten them up.
Then I sew the zip to the front, the part with the label and cross on it, making sure the zip opens the right way.
Then I add my little label and cut out the crosses and then sew them onto the front just below the label. I keep thinking I should get some labels that go down the side seam but I haven’t got round to it yet!
After the front is sewn on I peg the backs to the other side of the zip. (I always use pegs as they don’t pierce a hole in the vinyl)
When both front and back are sewn on I topstitch them, this keeps them nice and flat against the zip, making the zip easier to open and close.
Finally I fold the front and back together (right sides together) and sew around the edge, remembering to leave the zip open because with these locking zip pulls it would be impossible to turn the pouch through, yep I have done that!)
And they are finished! Well, after turning through…which sometimes can take the longest time trying to poke the corners out to be nice and square. It’s quite hazardous because it’s easy to poke your poker through the stitching!
So, what do you think? Let me know in the comments if you liked this type of blog post? Or would you rather see a video, ugly hands and all, or maybe an in person workshop? Please comment below your thoughts!
I really enjoyed learning about it. I think you are very talented.