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Zipped Storage Case | Sewing Pattern to Download

Quick Links: What you'll need Project steps

Compact yet secure and bursting with pockets, this handy case is super useful & will keep you organized. Find the sewing pattern and templates to download now.

This small zipped case is handy for storing your sewing notions, hand-sewing projects, pens and pencils and so much more! Small enough to fit in a handbag, it’s got lots of pockets to help keep you organized.

I have used cheerful gingham for my case, but you can change the look dramatically with different fabric choices. Leave off the heart and use denim or canvas for a more masculine look, or there are many children’s fabrics available if you want to make something for the kids. How nice it would be to personalize the cover with initials! This is also an opportunity to upcycle or use up some fabric remnants as most of the pieces are quite small.

The chenille effect around the heart is a fun element, and a technique that can also be used in bag-making, quilting or on cushion covers.

I’ve used quite a bit of binding in this project, so by the time you’ve made the case, your binding skills should be pretty good – if they weren’t already. You can buy all the binding ready-made to save time and effort, but I made my own from the fabrics I was using for the case. Note that the binding for the pocket panel (the blue, mustard-yellow and green gingham pockets) can be cut on the straight grain to save fabric if you wish, although I like the candy-stripe effect of gingham binding cut on the bias, so I cut mine on the bias from 12 x 18in (30.5 x 46in) of fabric. I also made the binding for the outer case, cutting this, and pocket 3 from 24 x 19½in (61 x 50cm) of fabric, and joining strips together.

For more storage ideas like this, check out the Sewing Room Accessories Set and the Exploding Notions Storage Box.

Too difficult? If you’d like to make some storage containers for your sewing notions or other items, but want to keep it nice and easy, take a look at the Simple Fabric Storage Boxes, the Quick and Easy Fabric Bowls and the Quick Make: Square Storage Pouch With Zip.

By the end of this project, you’ll have:

1. Learnt how to make a trendy chenille effect using fabric strips
2. Perfected the process of attaching binding to both straight and curved edges
3. Discovered how to insert zips for different applications
4. Developed your pocket-making skills, which will give you more options when adding your own pockets to other bags and cases

Note: use a ¼in (5mm) seam allowance.

Finished size when closed: 6 x 9 x 1in (15 x 23 x 2.5cm).

If you have any questions about making this month's block, remember to refer to the forum. You can also chat to other members via the Half Yard Sewing Club Facebook page!

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You will need:

Equipment

• Sewing machine with a needle suitable for your fabric choices
• Zipper foot for your machine
• Sharp scissors 
• Erasable marking pen
• Basting spray
• Fabric glue stick
• Fabric clips or pins
• Removable fabric marker pen
• Optional: scrubbing brush to fluff up the ‘chenille’ or you can use the back of your scissors for this

Materials

• 9 x 13in (23 x 33cm) of fabric for the outer case: I used red gingham 
• 9 x 18in (23 x 46cm) of fabric for pocket 1: I used blue gingham
• 9 x 12in (23 x 30.5cm) of fabric for pocket 2: I used mustard gingham
• 9 x 6in (23 x 15cm of fabric for pocket 3: I used sage gingham
• 5 x 6in (13 x 15cm) of fabric for the heart applique: I used sage gingham
• 9 x 13in (23 x 33cm) of lining fabric for the main piece: I used mustard yellow
• Two 8 x 9in (20.5 x 23cm) pieces of outer fabric for the zipped pockets: I used red gingham
• Two 8 x 9in (20.5 x 23cm) lining pieces for the zipped pockets: I used the same mustard yellow fabric as for the main lining
• Two pieces of bias-cut fabric for the chenille-effect edging around the heart, each measuring 18 x ½in (46 x 1.25cm): I used blue gingham
• 40in (102cm) of 1in (2.5cm) binding for the pockets – this doesn’t need to be cut on the bias (see the introduction above) 
• 50in (127cm) of bias binding for the edge of the folder: this will need to be cut on the bias as it will be going around curves and I’ve used a 2½in (6.5cm) strip of mustard-yellow gingham fabric folded in half (see the introduction above)
• 2 x 2½in (5 x 6.5cm) of fabric for the zip tab: mine is red gingham
• 9 x 13in (23 x 33cm) of fusible fleece: I used our craft fleece or Vlieseline H640 would work
• 5 x 6in (13 x 15cm) of Bondaweb or other fusible web for the heart motif, if using
• 22in (56cm) zip for the main case: mine is blue
• Two 9in (23cm) zips for the pockets: mine were a little longer 
• 6in (15cm) of ¼in (5mm) ribbon or twine to thread through the outer zip pull
• 3in (7.5cm) circle template
• Matching threads

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