I Just Couldn't Stop

Sometimes I get so excited about a project that I just can't seem to stop making whatever it is I'm making . . .like these little zipper pouches.

You can find a tutorial on how to sew these little clutches in my September post, Got Zippers? . They were inspired by similar ones pictured in the May 2014 issue of Country Living.

When I saw them in the magazine, I couldn't wait to start making some.

But then the project became addictive.

 I started by sewing seven zippers together and, by the time I was done, had used 168. Each new color combination I thought up led to the construction of yet another little pouch.

Yesterday, after sewing 24 of theses babies,  I began to hear a little voice in my head repeating,  

"Put down the zippers. Step away from the sewing machine and put your hands in the air".

It just hit me that I had done it again: gotten totally carried away with a project.

 

Twenty-four zippered pouches? Really? What was I thinking?

 

Have you ever gotten carried away with a creative project?

How did you stop? Is there any hope for me?

 

This post is zipped to:

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

What's It Wednesday at Ivy & Elephants

Got Zippers???

I'm having so much fun making these little zipper pouches that I just had to share them with you.

Aside from how cute they are. they have so many uses . . . and I keep thinking of more. Here is one packed with highlighters for a college class...and another to hold a cell phone and charger.

This sophisticated black and white bag is perfect for jewelry...or could even be used for a little clutch purse with a simple black dress.

 

I found the idea for these zippered pouches in the May issue of Country Living Magazine in the "idea notebook" section on page 42.

Here are the "chic pouches" that first caught my eye  in the magazine.

I decided that I wanted my pouches to be a little more colorful.

 I

I was able to pick up extra zippers at Goodwill, on ebay, and, for that special polka dot or zebra-print zipper, at JoAnn's Fabrics with a 40% coupon.

 

I chose bright cotton duck fabrics - remnants when I could get them - for the backing.

The duck gives the pouches the "weight" they need.

So grab all the old zippers you've stashed away and let's get started!

For each pouch, you'll need:

* Seven 7-inch zippers



* A rectangular piece of cotton duck (approximately 6" x 8", maybe a little larger depending on the width of your zippers. I bought a quarter-yard (9") of each color.
*Thread to match the cotton duck backing fabric.

 

Lay out the seven zippers in a pattern that appeals to you with zipper pulls alternating.

Pin zippers wrong sides together, one at a time, and sew with a 1/8" seam allowance (very close to the edge).

 

Press the zipper side flat and use it as a pattern to cut the backing piece of cotton duck. Stitch the front (zipper side) to the back (cotton duck side), right sides together, using a 1/4" seam. I stitched over the seam a second time to strengthen it and straighten it. Trim corners.

 

Unzip one of the zippers to allow room to turn the pouch right side out. Press flat.

 

I added a little key ring to the top zipper of my pouches to make them easy to carry . . and maybe even to hold a key if being used as a clutch purse. I found the key rings in the craft section  at WalMart . . . in packages of silver or in assorted colors for very little money.

 

 And voila...you're done!

Each pouch took me about an hour to make from start to finish.

 

On Wednesday, it's back to Fiber College in Searsport. ME. I can't wait. I'm signed up for a couple of classes (felting, book-binding) and hope to attend a number of the demonstrations and workshops. I love having the opportunity to learn new crafts in such a beautiful setting each year.

In the meantime, I'll be sewing these cute little pouches.

 Happy zipping!
 

This post is being shared on the following linky parties:
Sew Darn Crafty Party at Sew Many Ways
Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps On the Porch

 Amaze Me Mondays at Dwellings
Time Travel Thursday at Brambleberry Cottage

Sunday Showcase at Under the Table and Dreaming
Motivate Me Monday at Keeping It Simple
Sunday Block Party at Making the World Cuter
Nifty Thrifty Sunday at Nifty Thrifty Things
Tutorial Tuesdays at Hope Studios

There's No Place Like Home

After a long drive to Florida and back, it is SO good to be home...



We left on August 16th and drove to Tampa to bring our grandson, Brian, to college for his first year at the University of South Florida.



We made it from Maine to Tampa in three days, driving all day and sleeping in our little Casita at night.

Our goal on day #2 of driving was to make it to Charleston for our favorite BBQ boiled shrimp

 at Red's Ice House in Mt. Pleasant, SC . . . with a much-anticipated side of Margarita's!

Finally, we arrived at USF in time for two days of Orientation . . . 

And Brian's "big move" into the dorm.

We were amazed at how smoothly everything went . . . the level of organization and the warmth of the welcome at such a large school were impressive!

Brian is in this Class of 2018 photo . . . somewhere!

And how many college campuses offer a private beach outside your dorm???

Brian & "Nanny" at USF

We left Florida on Monday for the long drive home, stopping overnight in Savannah, GA, Richmond, VA, and at a little campground in the mountains on the PA/NY border.

After two weeks of air-conditioning and daytime temperatures in the mid 90's, it was great to be back in Maine where we could throw open the windows and smell the sea breeze.

But this morning, after four days of sitting in the car and eating junk food on the road, it was back to Body by John for my work-out with Ben . . .

And then some much-needed quiet-time in the craft room.

Where I can't wait to get started on my next project, which involves lots and lots of . . .

 Zippers!

Curious?

 I'll post a tutorial soon...

I've got some sewing to do first!