Sew: DIY Portable Sewing Kit/Caddy/Organizer {Sort of a Tutorial Plus Link To Free Base Pattern}

• I extended the main flap pattern piece (B) from 30cm to 37cm. I needed a little more space since I wanted the brush holder piece (D) to lay flat and still have room for the needle felt.
• I replaced the brush holder flap with an extra  brush holder piece (D) because I wanted the flap to be longer so I could close it with a button.
• I cut one 30cm x 15cm piece to form the flat pocket inside the pouch.
• To create the scissor pocket, I folded the top of pattern piece (A) over 5cm. I cut one lining and one outer fabric.
• A small piece of felt for the needle holder.
• I used a magnetic snap instead of the lock & a button to close the cover over the brush holder bit.

The pattern has a video tutorial but since I made changes, I’ll run through how I put everything together. Once everything was cut out, I interfaced the pouch and main flap lining.

To make the flat inner pouch pocket, I folded the fabric right side together, hot dog style and stitched along the raw edge. I turned the tube right sides out and pressed it so the seam was centered on on side. I pinned it to one of the pouch lining pieces and stitched along the bottom edge and sides. I also stitched down the centre of the pocket to divide it in two. I trimmed any pocket overhang to meet the pouch lining.

I made up both brush holder pieces (I used one instead the flap, remember?) by folding right sides together and stitching down the sides. I turned them right side out, poked out the corners and pressed. I topstitched along the top of the one that would be a pocket, pinned it to the lining and then top stitched down the sides and in several places to create the pockets. With the flap piece, I topstitched around the sides and top of the flap. I then made a button hole to secure the flap but you could use velcro or a snap. I then pinned it above the brush holder pocket, lining up the raw edges with the lining.

Next, I hand stitched the felt to the flap lining with embroidery floss. I wanted it to look kind of rustic. I also added one half of a magnetic clap. Make sure it’s not too close to the edge, as you’ll need to sew on the the bias tape later. If you haven’t used magnetic snaps before, this is a good guide.

I wanted the scissor pocket to have bias tape (it’s so pretty!) so I placed the pocket pieces wrong sides together, pinned on the bias tape and stitched it on. If you need help with bias, this post has it all. I then aligned it on the pouch piece and pinned. While I had the bias out, I finished the flap by placing the flap lining and outer wrong sides together and attaching bias tape to the edges. I also attached the other half of the magnetic snap to the exterior of the pouch.

I wanted to use a metal zipper I had on hand but it was a little short. So stitched a little bias to the ends of the zipper before assembling the pouch. I put everything together as per the pattern and stitched the lining closed.

And that’s it! How cute and functional? Of course I had to kit it out with all my sewing stuff and I took the opportunity to use a vintage pin tin I had lying around. Then I found this super cute Guttermann tin on ebay. It came with four 100m spools of thread in black, white, red and navy. The only thing missing was a collapsible thread catcher. I have a mini bin on my sewing table but if I am unpicking on the couch, there is always thread everywhere, despite my efforts to make a neat pile. I found this great tutorial and made a matching thread catcher, complete with a mini buttons to match my sewing kit!

I am so very, very happy with this project! I’ve been using this for a couple of months now and it has been super helpful. There’s less clutter around, it was fabulous to have all things I needed at my ASG meeting and it has encouraged me to take my sewing with me. I really do use it and it does help that I like how it looks. I find that I’m more inclined to use organizational things that are visually appealing. The thread catcher has been particularly handy. At last I’ve found something that works for me! How do you store your sewing stuff? How do you keep things portable?