I create quilts all the time, so I sort of take that ability for granted; but, when I make other things, especially things that I would otherwise purchase, the magic of DIY comes back into focus. Then I feel that sense of wonder at my own self-sufficiency (however small). Plus, I love that I can often fulfill a need using supplies that I already own. With patchwork it’s extra special, because leftover little fabric bits can become a whole useful item.

I need a new pouch for my personal care items when I’m away from home. Sewing my coin quilt has created a pile of 2” wide crumb scraps. This weekend I decided to sort out the solids and make a pouch from random solid squares.

It began random, but I ended up with a color palette. I put the yellow, orange and brown scraps away and pulled more cool-tone scraps from my crumb fabric baskets in blues, greens and purples, plus pinks and red. It’s still wild and free, with the colors landing mostly by chance, but it has a sort of cool vibe overall. Afterwards this multicolor Anna Maria Horner print presented itself as the perfect lining.

As far as the construction method, I went for fast and easy. First I create the patchwork recrtangle from 2' cut squares. It measured 12.5” x 22.5. I quilted the patchwork with one layer of batting to the lining print. Then I attached the zipper and sewed it together, boxing the corners at 1 3/4”. My pouch has unfinished seams inside, which it would be responsible to zigzag finish, but I don’t know if I’ll bother. Probably only before I wash it, haha.

The finished pouch turned out 8” long x 4” tall x 4” wide. I would have liked it to be 1” longer, so a patchwork rectangle of 13.5” x 22.5” would have been ideal. But this will still work! My brush just fits inside.

And the lining makes me smile!

I am also glad that I incorporated a few solids with textures, which only sort of fit the theme. Really good patchwork often has an exception or two. Not that this is really good patchwork, but you know what I mean.

So, check, check. Here’s to cultivating our DIY powers!

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