Because a boy needs a coin pouch too... A Tutorial.

We usually give our children Red Envelope money during Chinese New Year.  It's a Chinese tradition where the older relatives gives children some money that were put in red envelopes and bless them for the new year.  They also sometimes gets Christmas and Birthday money.  My 7 year old son usually just stuff his money in his desk drawer, and put it in his pocket when he goes shopping.  I tried offer to buy him wallets, but then there's no place for his coins.  The coin pouches that we saw were rejected also because it's too girly or too baby-ish.

So, a mom who sews naturally offered to make him a pouch.  After the mustache print was approved, I got to work.  And here's a simple tutorial for you if you want to make one.

Cutting: 

Two      6” x 3 5/8”        exterior fabric

Two      6” x 3 5/8”        lining fabric

Two      2” x 1”               zipper tabs

Two      5 1/4” x 3 1/2”  fusible batting

One       4” or 5"             zipper

One       1 1/2”                ribbon (optional)

Center the batting on the back of exterior fabric and quilt.  I quilted simple straight lines.

Fold the zipper tabs in half, then open it up and line up the fold line on the ends of the zipper.  Sew on the fold line, then fold the tabs and top stitch along the fold to reinforce the stitch.  You can clip the zipper end (not the zipper tab we just sewn) if it's too long. Make sure you leave at least 1/4" seam!

Next, put your exterior on the bottom with right side up, put your zipper along the top side of exterior with right side down, last put your lining fabric on top with right side down.  All line up at the top edge.  (see picture above).  Pin and sew 1/4" seam using your zipper foot for your sewing machine.  Fold back the exterior and lining fabric. Repeat the other side. Picture below is what it looks like. Add your ribbon to the side of the exterior fabric if you like at this point.

Next step, open your zipper.  Then put the linings right sides together and the exteriors right side together and pin to keep them in place.  You will sew around the whole pouch with 1/4" seam, leave 3" opening in the middle of the lining for turning. Not sure if you can see it clearly, but it's that blue line I drew around the edges on the picture above.

Turn your pouch right side out through the lining opening and the zipper opening. Then hand stitch or machine top stitch the lining opening close!  YOU DID IT!!

Give your final product a pressing and it's ready for the recipient!