Boxed Pouch FREE Sewing Pattern

After making my version of the Cargo Duffle, I really wanted to make a matching boxed travel pouch.  For some reason, in all my years of sewing I've never made one and I had no idea what a journey it would be conquering this make.  This is how my first try came out!  My brain just couldn't fully comprehend the construction.  

I finally was able to find a tutorial that made sense to me and then tried to optimize the size for what I wanted.  I used a online calculator tool from Sarah Kirsten but her assembly method is a little different so these weren't exactly the size I was looking for.  Though it was super fun pulling out this old Amy Butler (I think?) fabric.  

So, after much trial and error, I was able to make the size I wanted.  I made a couple of these for friends for holiday gifts, but still wasn't totally satisfied.  The interior "wings" were just really bothering me and I felt like there had to be a way to put this bag together without having exposed seams, wings or needing to use bias tape. 

Honestly, I got really stuck on this one.  I spent a lot of time and made A LOT of pouches.  But, the good news is I feel like I really optimized the construction and have put it all together in a FREE tutorial!  The tutorial has dimensions for 3 sizes of pouches and walks you through the assembly, including a video (my first one ever!) showing how to box the corners.  The method is the same for all 3 sizes which includes a small pouch, standard size pouch and a pouch sized for hair tools. 

Download FREE PDF Pattern

 I would love to know what you think of the pattern.  Leave a comment or tag me on Instagram @Zaaberry.

Introducing the Picnic Tote - new PDF pattern

I put this pattern together over the summer and had every intention of listing in my Etsy shop before the Fall.  Gad school and life in general got in the way and here it is nearly 6 months later and I'm just getting back to it.  

I had that "I can make that" moment when grocery shopping and was enticed to buy a bunch of mini-totes at my favorite grocery store.

The mini totes are my go to for bringing snacks to the kids' cross country meets, book club, or just running errands. 

The pattern has instructions for 2 sizes.  You can do the handles with fabric or with a pretty one and a half inch webbing making it an even quicker sew.  

Easy download in my SHOP.

Hope you'll check it out and tell me what you think.

Tag me on IG if you make and share //  @zaaberry

Cargo Duffle Again!

A good pattern is one that stands the test of time, and the Cargo Duffle for me is one of those patterns. Anna from Noodlehead partnered with Robert Kaufman fabrics in 2013 and published this free pattern.  I made my own version back in 2015 and then a kids size version later that year.  Here I am 10 years later going back to the same pattern with my own modifications.  

This time around I invested the time in the quilting and the result absolutely was worth all the effort.  I also added end tabs so I can attach a shoulder strap if I want.  

I made my verison a bit wider  so my bottom gusset was 8in x 30.5in and my zipper gusset was 4in x 30.5 in.  

With zipper by the yard being so readily available, it was easy to add a two way zipper.  If you haven't discovered zipper by the yard, I highly recommend it.  I'm slowly working my way through all my sized zippers and will eventually transition to cutting all my zippers to size by project.  

I made the bottom with a vegan leather for added durability and made a drop-in canvas lining.  I added Peltex  to the bottom and side panels below the zipper for added structure.  

Though I made quite a few modifications to this bag, including leaving off the cargo pockets, I still mainly followed the pattern and it was my primary inspiration.  I'm already planning my next bag that I'll likely make to donate to a local fundraiser auction.  This one I'm keeping for myself and can't wait to use it on my next trip.