One of the fun features of the Melody is about a million decorative stitches (okay, 189). I don’t normally use these stitches, they are like the old lady stitches that no one uses, right? Well, I was a little too tempted by the vast array of decorative stitches to not use them, so I found a way to modernize the decorative stitches and I had a lot of fun doing it! Zig zag and triangular stitches add some fun pattern and texture to a piece of fabric! A little bit tribal to go with your ruffles?
ruffle zipper pouch tutorial
Pattern Pieces:
3″x5″ rectangle for bottom front
2″x5″ rectangle for top front
10″x3″ rectangle for ruffle
4″x5″ rectangle for back
2- 4″x5″ rectangles for lining
The very first step is to decorate your bottom fabric. I backed this piece of fabric with fusible interfacing so it was a little more sturdy to hold the stitches. You can use any decorative stitch pattern! I used #54, large zig zags, #43 little triangles, and #79 which is just a wide rectangular stitch that I pivoted to make large angled lines.
Then fold your ruffle strip in half with wrong sides together and press. Then run 1-2 basting stitches across the top of the ruffle. Pull the threads to gather the fabric. Pin the ruffle to the top of the bottom piece and distribute the ruffles evenly. Baste in place. Pin the top of the pouch to the bottom with the ruffle in the middle.
Sew and flip. Press and topstitch if you want. Now you have a cute ruffled pouch front! The rest of the tutorial is identical to the basic zipper pouch tutorial, so click here to finish your pouch!
I tied a little bit of rick rack to the zipper to make a cute little pull. I think rick rack looks cute with the jagged stitching!
For more information about the Babylock Melody, check out my review post!
Kate this is AMAZING!! You have totally blown me away here. I was thinking as I was scrolling over the pictures how amazing the “faux black stamped fabric” looked with the softness of the ruffles in those sweet colors, but you MADE that effect with Melody?!! Wow. This is a game changer. Off to check out the stitches on my new baby to see if I can pull off something similar.
Also, been away for a month-long holiday so I missed most of the big tour, but I’m headed over to your shop to buy the Recess Raglan now. Soooo adorable. I took advantage of my weeks stateside to get a big (first) shipment from Girl Charlee and now I finally get it. :) I just might be whittling away at my nighttime jet lag hours on my machine. :) Thanks!!
Such pretty little bags! And i’m loving the geometric stitched designs!! I’ve got a Craft Gossip post scheduled for later this evening that links to your tutorial:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-ruffled-zip-pouch-with-decorative-geometric-stitching/2013/08/23/
–Anne
This is fabulous! It makes me want to check out the decorative stitches on my machine. Now I have an excuse to make ruffles and use new stitches (^_^)
Ahhhh!! So COOL!!!!! You and your bags – they’re always so delicious!!!!
Wow! When I saw the thumbnail for this post on Bloglovin, I thought you had just mixed different printed fabrics. I love the effect of the stitching. That’s a really cool use of that feature.
Love this! Found you on Twitter.. Very cute.
Kate, these are so darn cute! I haven’t played around with the decorative stitches on my old machine in a while. This definitely makes me want to try them out again! Now, to find that sewing machine manual…
This is such a fabulous idea. I rarely use the “fancy” stitches on my machine. What a great way to bring texture to a project.
omg it’s awesome and adorable! it look like a tiny dress!!!!! :D
These are so cute! I love how you used the machine embroidery. I thought the pattern was actually printed on the fabric at first.
Kate they are brilliant! I didn’t realize at first that the geometric print was stitched and then I took a closer look;) I’m going to investigate my Janome as there are a lot of stitches I just have a feeling they don’t stitch as large as the melody, definitely worth a try though. Great looking pouches!
Kate,
These are fabulous! You make the sweetest pouches; can’t wait to make one soon! Now I totally have sewing machine envy!
perfect!
Oh, how much I LOVE this!!!
My machine came with so many stitches, …but I am quite sure that she doesn’t offer such – triangular stitch…. If only!!!!!
These are absolutely gorgeous! At first glance, I thought the fabric had been printed. I can’t believe these are decorative stitches.
WOW! I thought the patterns was actually printed unto the fabric! This is amazing. I want that machine too!!!
YOU. ARE. A. GENIUS!
How do you feel about me using this as inspiration for a bag to sell?