Hemingway Pouch

I love finding ways to give gifts that are useful, beautiful, and handmade.  Perhaps that explains my love for quilt making, although quilts are large projects and I can never make as many as I have people to gift them to.  (I have enjoyed making and gifting Lone Star Christmas Tree skirts, though.)  Still, every year I find myself looking for useful gifts I can make.  Earlier this year, I found a pattern for something that ticks all three boxes:  the Hemingway Pouch.

I am NOT typically a pouch or bag maker.  I think they’re amazing, but I also know myself well enough to know that I don’t need to start stashing bag making supplies.  My fabric stash is enough and I won’t let myself branch out.  Additionally, I sometimes dislike dealing with zippers.  But this pattern is different.  When a friend gifted me one last spring, I immediately asked where she found the pattern and began making my own.

The pattern includes 4 different sizes, and is easy to follow.  It’s actually quite simple, even for a girl like me.  The hardest part is threading the zipper pull onto the zipper once you’ve sewn it on.  At first I was excited to use some metal zipper pulls I had on hand, but that enthusiasm died quickly when I couldn’t ever get the zipper to close.  Hands cramping after only a couple of inches, I realized I needed a different zipper.  I ordered nylon zippers by the yard here.   I bought the gold, silver, and colorful options, and all three look great with my pouches.  You can see the fun colorful version below.

Pouches are fun gift ideas, and have been for a long time.  I like the Hemingway Pouch because it’s a different shape.  My daughters enjoy using them to hold books or a kindle, which make them unique.

 

Regarding construction, these pouches are great.  The fabric requirements are simple and it’s easy to make multiples.   I’ve started wondering a little about trying to add my HOME block to one of them.  It would be fun to match a pouch to my journal cover (another item I’m making for gifts).

So, this is what I’m sewing for gifts right now.  Along with my HOME Christmas projects and Lone Star tree skirts, of course.  Oh, and a family history project for my children, which I hope they appreciate.  Are you making any handmade gifts?  If so, what are you creating?  Please share in the comments!  I always love hearing ideas.  And whatever your to-do list may look like this month, I hope you’re able to make time for thoughtful reflection.  It can be a tricky time of year, and I always handle it better if I sit still and enjoy it a little.  Happy December!