Gathered Pockets Tutorial: Cabrio Tote Sew Along!

If you can’t find fold over elastic there are 2 other ways to get the same effect! Here is a quick tutorial on two different ways to gather pockets!

Pocket A:

First fold the 7”X 14” pocket fabric in half to find the center. Draw a chalk line 1/2” below the center line. Set up your machine for shirring and shirr the fabric across the chalk line.

It should start to pucker up and the gather as you sew across the pocket.

Pocket B:

Fold the fold the 7”X 14” pocket fabric in half to find the center. Draw a chalk line 1/2” below the center line on the back of the pocket fabric. Place one piece of 1/4” wide elastic measuring 10” along the chalk line. Set your sewing machine to a wide, open zig zag stitch. While you stretch the elastic zig zag stitch in a straight line.

Pin your pocket right sides together! The 1/4” elastic is on the left side and the elastic thread technique is on the right side.

Sew down the two sides, tack stitching the elastic at the top of the pockets.

Turn right side out and iron! With a hot press the pockets will gather even more!

Now you are ready to use your pockets according to the Cabrio Tote Pattern!

Happy Sewing!

Comments

Kelly Rachel said…

These are great instructions, thanks Leah! Will see what I can do as I don't have the elastic.

February 28, 2011 at 3:22 AM

Kimminita said…

Thanks so much! Getting on it first thing tomorrow!

February 28, 2011 at 4:14 AM

Unknown said…

HELP!!!! I am still back on the gathering of the bottom lining step. I CAN NOT get the fabric to gather - it seems too stiff with the lining on the back. Each time I pull the threads, the string breaks before I can get it gathered fully! I could use some more tips before my machine goes through the window! :)

February 28, 2011 at 6:25 PM

Sew Spoiled said…

There is another way!
Take a long piece of floss and zig zag stitch over the floss. (Make sure the floss is not sewn.) When you are finished sewing a zig zag stitch over the floss for the length of the project pull the fabric and it will gather for you just like a shower curtain on a straight rod.
Best Wishes!
Leah

February 28, 2011 at 7:04 PM

Sweet Coin Purse Tutorial for Teacher Gifts

This time of year is so special to me because I get to show my gratitude for all of the hard work that goes into teaching my daughters. I love to make handmade gifts and this year is no exception. Since money does not grow on trees around here, I looked at my stash (I keep my scraps in hat boxes ) and tried to see what I had a lot of; small zippers, trims, Peltex strips ( from making iPad cases ), fabric scraps and some hardware for key fobs. So I set to work. Materials: Plastic multipurpose 5" Zipper Fabric Scraps Lightweight interfacing 808 Pellon Trims (We clipped key fobs with 1.5" swivel hooks onto our coin purses . There are tons of tutorials on making key fobs .) Step 1: Print out the Coin Purse Template PDF. Cut 2 main fabric, cut 2 lining and 2 interfacing using the template. Optional: Cut a 2"X2" square of your choice main fabric or lining. This strip of fabric is used to clip a key fob to your coin purse later....

Fun in the Sun Mermaid Tutorial

Sewing Materials: 1/4 yard of Lycra or 5T or larger old swimsuit Thread Stretch Needle (helps) Sewing Machine and Sewing Notions Print the PDF patterns pieces out and tape them together. ✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄ ✄✄✄✄ ✄✄ Step 1: Cutting Layout- Place the templates over the fabric and cut. ✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄ ✄✄✄✄ ✄✄ Step 2: Fold the top edges of the mermaid tail and sew across. ✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄ ✄✄✄✄ ✄✄ Step 3: Place the mermaid tale pieces right sides together. Sew around the mermaid tail using the stretch stitch, it looks like a bolt of lighting. ✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄ ✄✄✄✄ ✄✄ Step 4: Flip the mermaid tail right side out using a chopstick. Option: You can add Poly-fil to make the end of the tale puffy. Set aside. ✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄ ✄✄✄✄ ✄✄ Bodice Step 1: Cut a bodice measuring 4.5” X1.5” or use template. ✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄ ✄✄✄✄ ✄✄ Step 2: Fold the bodice right sides together and sew the short ends making a loop. Use the e...

Cute as a Button Bookmark Tutorial

These are called Cute as a Button Bookmakers. They are cheap, easy to make and are wonderful gifts! All you need is Bookmarkers/ PaperClips Size 45 or 1 1/8" Button Covers and kit Glue Gun Pliers (which you won't need if you get the flat back buttons). Step 1: Make a few fabric covered buttons. These are size 45 or 1 1/8" buttons. Step 2: If you use normal buttons you will need to take the loops off to make them flat. However you can buy flat back buttons and not have to worry about the loop. Step 3: Add a dab of hot glue to the top of the large paperclip pad and place your fabric button on top of the glue. Step 4: Let it cool and it's ready to use! Happy Crafting!

Sew Spoiled

Search This Blog