The Monthly Make: Beginner’s Ruffle Pouch & Keychain

Down to the wire on this blog post for the month. I am not kidding, I have had one of the roughest and busiest weeks. So in total transparency, I finished this pouch exactly 20 minutes ago and then contemplated not even posting it because my pictures are awful. So if you’re seeing this tonight, I’m sorry the photos are dark and yellowed. If you’re seeing a lovely pouch in the sunshine? Congratulations, you’re seeing what I hoped you’d see and I hope you love the finished product as much as I do.

Now let’s get into it!

I bought this pattern off Etsy from a seller in France. It was relatively straightforward with great pictures to keep you on track. If you were brand new to sewing this might cause a little confusion but nothing so terrible you couldn’t look up. In the end it was very satisfying to build the final result and my very sweet fiancé cannot stop gushing over the fact that I made something from fabric, thread, and a zipper. He really is my biggest fan besides my mom. 🥹

Table of Contents

The Inspiration

I saw a similar pouch on Instagram a long time ago and I’ve been trying to figure out if it’s the same pattern ever since, but there’s no way of knowing now. I saw this one on Etsy and just knew it would be a fun little project. If nothing else I could use it for feminine products. Then I saw it came in two sizes and knew immediately I had to make the big one first, if nothing else as a second makeup bag!

The Fabric

Excited to share that once again this is entirely from my fabric stash! This was an eBay find and from what I can remember it was an auction from an estate sale, belonging to someone’s great aunt. I cannot tell you how happy it makes me knowing this fabric didn’t end up in a landfill somewhere. It’s in terrific condition, from the 1970s, and it is an absolute flower power bomb. Very dark cottagecore, borderline grandma-esque, and I love every inch of it. 🌸

The lining is muslin and I do regret that a little. I didn’t have any other non-patterned fabric in my stash and though I was tempted to order some online, I’m really trying to use what I have. That’s a project for a future bag.

The Process

This was genuinely straightforward and I enjoyed the entire process. More than anything because this type of sewing calms me. Even when I make a mistake it’s fixable and I don’t mind nitpicking to get it as perfect as possible.

This was also my first time using my quilter’s foot and I really enjoyed it! The pattern called for fusible fleece and gave the option to quilt but I found that a little redundant. You can barely see the quilted lines and it’s possible I should have used a thicker fleece. When I make this again I’ll likely skip the quilting unless the only fleece I have isn’t fusible.

The ruffles were really fun to make and finding a new way to add interior pockets was a joy. It was much easier than I expected which encouraged me to keep going and finish the whole bag in one sitting. Honestly I’m pretty impressed with myself. 😄

I’m mostly impressed with the zipper though. As you know I have a vintage 1960s Sears Kenmore 6-stitch Model 158.13400 and I love her unconditionally. Because we bought her at a garage sale when I was in elementary school I only got the machine and one presser foot, nothing else. I’ve had to find things on eBay over the years, including a zipper foot which I may need to properly invest in soon. That said I’m proud to report I used my standard foot and it turned out beautifully.

The Final Result

Project cost : ~$2.14

That does not include the cost of the pattern itself but does include the fabric, thread, zipper, and keychain. I am pretty darn proud of that. I’m always trying to explain to friends and family that sewing doesn’t have to be expensive. There can be a lot of upfront costs but once you start honing your skills and building your stash, it becomes incredibly affordable.

I really love this pouch. I absolutely love that my eReader fits inside, that it has pockets for my glasses, a book, pens, and emergency snacks. It’s so cute. If I made it again I’d consider adding a strap but in the meantime I added a keychain so I can easily attach it to the inside of a tote or backpack. You’d never lose it! Plus it adds just enough flair that you could also carry it as a clutch.

That’s it, friends! Thank you so much for joining me on this Monthly Make. I love having this series because it genuinely holds me accountable and I’m so grateful you let me share it with you. I know many of you came here for my travel content and the adventures from when I quit my job to travel the world. This blog has come a long way since then and I hope you’re loving all of it just the same. 💕

I think my next project might be a yoga mat bag. Stand by though, I change my mind every time I sit down at my sewing machine. 😄

What are you working on next?

xoxo.