Need a unisex zipper pouch, Dopp kit, or general purpose bag for storing toiletries, makeup, shaving supplies or other essentials at home or when traveling? This is an Allsewpetite Isabella Pouch project review.
The link to the Allsewpetite Isabella Pouch paid PDF and video is:
This project is for personal use only.
For the purposes of my review, I’m going to summarize the basic steps, tell you what I did differently (if anything) and share my general thoughts about sewing the project.
Introduction
Zipper pouches come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The Allsewpetite Isabella Pouch is an advanced beginner project for a unisex zippered Dopp kit, toiletry bag, cosmetic bag or other multipurpose pouch that be used at home or when traveling. The finished pouch is 9 inches wide by 6 inches high by 4 inches deep (23 cm x 15.5 cm x 10 cm) and features two handles and two zippered side pockets.
Step 0 Gather Materials
Cotton canvas, faux leather, cork, water proof canvas, and quilting cotton are recommended. Fusible fleece, fusible interfacing and #5 zippers may also be needed. The pouch is meant to be soft and slouchy so I used quilting weight cotton for both exterior and interior and used both optional and required fusible fleece pieces. I used #3 zippers.
Step 1 Handle
I followed the instructions for preparing the handles and sewing them to the bottom of the pouch. The construction method is a popular one used in many other projects.
Step 2 Zipper Pockets
I was a little confused between “lining zipper pocket” and “pocket lining”. Once I correctly identified these pieces, zipper pocket construction went smoothly. These zipper pockets may open to the left or to the right, according to your preference. My narrow zipper foot was helpful.
Step 3 Top Panels
I sewed my top panels according to the instructions. All my panels were a similar thickness due to using the optional fusible fleece for both the top pieces and the front and back pieces.
Step 4 Main Zipper Closure
I sewed my zipper to one front/back exterior piece and one lining piece, opened my zipper all the way, sewed it to the second exterior piece and lining then top-stitched along both sides of the zipper. Press along your zipper carefully to make top-stitching easier.
Step 5 Final Assembly
This technique for boxing the corners was new to me so I followed the instructions. One of my exterior top corners ended up distorted when sewed it with a pucker. This was easy to correct.
Here are some photos of my finished Isabella Pouch.
Conclusion
The Allsewpetite Isabella Pouch is an advanced beginner project. I agree with this rating. Numerous photos and bold text in the instructions make it easier to follow along. The video tutorial is helpful for answering any additional questions. Numerous pieces to cut out increases the difficulty. Sewing the zippers along straight edges makes it easier to work with zippers.
My Isabella Pouch is 9 inches wide by 5.5 inches high by 4 inches deep (23 cm x 14 cm x 10 cm). This small difference in size is likely due to my difficulties with the top corners. While my interior top corners look correct, my exterior top corners all are slightly shorter. This could be the result of inaccurate cutting or inaccurate sewing. It could also be due to the #3 zippers that I used having a narrower zipper tape than the recommended #5 zippers.
Overall, I’m pleased with my Isabella Pouch. I’m using it to replace a counter top/travel organizer that I wasn’t able to repair the zipper of. My Isabella Pouch matches my travel cosmetics bag, travel tray and travel jewelry cases (1, 2 ). Any of these items singly or together would make a great gift.
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Tanya
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