Bit O’ Kindness Pouches {easy sewing tutorial}

|

Sew an easy tiny pouch with a snap that’s perfect for saying ‘thank you’ or paying it forward with a bit of kindness. This easy sewing project will make you not want to stop until you have 100!

This blog post has been converted to an optional PDF that’s optimized for printing. Find it here. The blog post below is totally free to read, print, and sew! Just hit CTRL +P on your computer to print. The PDF download for $2 is totally optional.


_DSC0172.jpg

These are super easy to sew up, so even though you could probably figure it out with just a few instructions, I’m excited to provide free templates and some step by step photos too.

Oh, and did you notice that I had some fun with the decorative blanket stitch on my sewing machine? You can sew these with just a plain straight stitch and leave it like that – or take this chance to see what the other stitches on your sewing machine might look like! From the zig-zag to a honeycomb – I say try them all!


_DSC0173.jpg

My only question is, what will you put in them?

  • a treat?

  • extra bus fare?

  • a computer jump drive?

  • washi tape?

  • a little toy?

  • Or something else?

I’d love to know what you will use yours for. Please let me know in the comments! 💕


_DSC0079.jpg

Supplies:

  • fabric scraps

  • felt scraps (I like wool-blend felt the best)

  • a fabric pen (I used a Frixion pen because I can use the light touch of an iron to ‘erase’ the marks’)

  • a 2’’ scrap of ribbon for each pouch

  • plastic snaps (my snaps are all Kam Snaps – I lost my Kam snap setter and replaced it with the Dritz one – which is the same and works with all my snaps)

  • pretty thread – cotton, polyester, embroidery – whatever looks good!

  • Basting spray (such as 505 or SpraynBond) – optional but helpful

  • 3/4’’ split ring key rings – also optional


_DSC0084.jpg

Cutting:

1. Download and print the free templates here. Print at 100% to make pouches the same size as mine – feel free to reduce or enlarge the pattern if you want to!

2. Optional: Cut out the paper templates and glue them to cardstock if you’d like to use them to make a lot of pouches.

2. Cut scraps of felt and fabric the same size.

The larger ones should be at least 1/2’’ bigger than the larger template on all sizes.

The smaller scraps should be at least 1/2’’ bigger than the smaller template on 3 sides, with a straight edge at the top. (Lay 2 pieces wrong sides together and cut off the top edge to make it straight.)

Optional: use basting spray to attach the felt pieces to the back of the fabric pieces.


_DSC0086.jpg

Sewing:

1. Start with the smaller piece. Sew the top straight edge together, 1/8’’ from the edge.

This is enough to hold it together, but I like to add a decorative ‘blanket stitch’ on top of my plain stitches. Experiment with the different decorative stitches that your sewing machine can make – you might be surprised and find something adorable!


_DSC0088.jpg


_DSC0092-2.jpg

2. Place the straight edge of the smaller template against the straight edge that you just sewed together. Use the fabric pen to trace the rounded edges of the template against the fabric side of the scrap and felt.

3. Trace the larger template on the center of the felt side of the larger pieces of felt and fabric.


_DSC0095.jpg

4. Place the smaller felt/fabric piece on top of the larger felt/fabric piece, with the felt sides together.

Check to make sure that the traced lines on the smaller piece are on top of the traced lines on the larger piece, as seen above.

Pin in the center to secure.


_DSC0097.jpg


_DSC0109.jpg

5. Fold the 2’’ scrap of ribbon in half and place it in between the felt layers as seen above. The raw edges should be 1/4’’ – 1/2’’ inside the traced line.

With the folded ribbon sandwiched in between the felt layers, place another pin on top to hold it there while you sew.


_DSC0113.jpg

6. Use a straight stitch to sew all the way around the traced lines. Go slowly so the layers won’t shift.

As you can see, I’m using the open toe foot on my sewing machine so I can easily see the line.


_DSC0121.jpg

7. Now trim all the way around your stitching, 1/8’’ away from the line.

Be very careful that you don’t cut off your ribbon loop! You’ll have to fold the ribbon to the back and trim those layers separately.


_DSC0124.jpg

If you want, use a decorative stitch to sew one more time around the edges to make it pretty. 🙂


_DSC0129.jpg

8. Mark a spot for the lower snap centered and about 5/8’’ below the straight edge.


_DSC0133.jpg

9. Attach one side of the snap.


_DSC0135.jpg

10. Close the pouch and use your finger to feel the best spot for the other side of the snap. Attach it.


Attach the 3/4’’ split ring key rings to the ribbon loops if desired.

I hope you had fun sewing little Bit O’ Kindness pouches with felt and fabric scraps! Make sure you let me know what you use them for

… and check out my list of Crafty Little Things to Sew for more fast and easy sewing ideas.


Disclosure: some of my posts contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of those links I may receive a small commission, so thank you for supporting SewCanShe when you shop! All of the opinions are my own and I only suggest products that I actually use. 🙂

Similar Posts

21 Comments

  1. This is a fantastic project. I think I’ll need to get the Kam snaps and setter. I am always learning new techniques from you and I really appreciate your sharing your ideas as you do! You are very creative and a good teacher!

  2. Going to use them for loot bags at my daughter’s birthday. Very sustainable option!

  3. Perfect little pouch for keeping your electronic cords, headphones, etc. OK, maybe make them a little bigger, but same shape, etc. Such perfect little gifts…. And how about (also made with a size adjustment), a little pocket for those ‘feminine’ items you may keep in your purse but that need a private place? These are darling!!! I plan to make a bunch for the upcoming holidays 🙂 You go girl!

  4. I used mine to spread some Monday cheer at work. I tucked in a few candies and a happy message! Love these!

  5. Michaela harper says:

    I use mine for coffee money. But i use velcro so it doest slip out.

    1. These small pieces are pretty fiddly. I don’t think that fleece would be stable enough to look good on these little pouches because of the way that it stretches.

  6. Caroline,
    I love these little mini pouches! I clicked on the affiliate link for the Kam snaps and it took me to Amazon where there were multiple options. Can you suggest one that would be best since you have been doing this for a while and know the difference in the offerings. Thank you.

  7. Glenda Roy says:

    I made a bunch of these in about a half-size version and added a wristlet strap for a perfect Aldi-quarter key ring!

  8. I am a knitter. I will use these to hold my stitch markers! Perfect pouch for them. Thanks.

  9. What about a dummy pouch? (pacifier) for baby? Make it a bit bigger – then it can go on the outside of the nappy bag so it is easy to find at short notice?

  10. What a great find! I have been looking for a pouch to hold a glasses lens cleaning cloth. Tried to come up with my own😝 not very attractive. I cannot wait to try this pattern. Thank you!

  11. Sarah Williams says:

    I think I’m going to try and make these a little bigger to hold my face mask…I’ll add a carabiner and attach to my key chain! Love the pouch!

  12. Thank you so much. I will do it with a bies tape. Love that little pouch.

  13. Jean Stocks says:

    I love these little pouches and with the key ring would attach to my walking trousers. Not sure what I would put in it but would make a change from churning out face masks!

  14. Emma Joyner says:

    What a great idea! I’m going to use my overlocker for speed and use up some scraps I have! Thank you for a wonderful idea x

  15. Cynthia Riendfliesch says:

    My first thought when I saw these were to put a small flower in it and a simple prayer and slip them under some Tenants Apartment Doors as just a friendly hello and someone is thinking of Them Since are basically shut up in Our Apartments in Our Building.
    Then I thought I’d make some for Our grandkids and put some money in along with a simple prayer since we haven’t seen some of them since November., and the rest, what seems like, FOREVER.
    TY for the pattern. They are really cute.

  16. Can’t wait to see up a bunch of these for friends, grandkids, daughters, etc…. Thanks so much!

  17. This is such a cute little pattern! I’m going to be using it to carry myself and my boyfriend’s flash drives. we’re going to use the drives as little journals to write to each other, so I think these pouches will be just perfect for my purpose!

Leave a Reply