I may be here on the site today with a new project, and sending you the weekly newsletter, but actually, I'm not here. I'm on my way back today from Sewing Holiday in Sioux City, where I've been rubbing shoulders this week with some great sewing instructors. Hopefully, I'll pick up some great tips I can share with you, meet some great people and be able to share some photos of the event.
I'm actually really nervous. I had been reading comments prior from some of the attendees and they all had SO much sewing knowledge and experience – I was worried I was going to embarrass myself in their company. I'm a slapdash sewer for sure, never do things the ‘right' way and just get the job done.
What should I take with me? What supplies, tools, and equipment would I need? According to the class schedules, almost everything was supplied so I shouldn't need to take much with me. But what should I wear? Oh no – should I wear clothes I had made myself? Would the ladies be nice (like you all are), or would they be critical of what I had made? Arghhh.
Never mind all that. I just needed a small zipper pouch to carry a few basics and of course, it had to be sewing-related. I went back to the earlier idea of creating my own fabric, and the vintage envelope zipper purse from the printed fabric. Could I create something like this, but sewing related? What is that sort of size and shape – a sewing pattern of course. Light bulb moment!
The Print-Your-Own Fabric Sewing Pattern Envelopes
I wanted to make two pouches, one with the traditional portrait envelope and one, if I could find the right images, that was landscape. It's only when you look, that you realise just how few images there are longways. Most pattern envelopes have the image upright. I picked out some images and I was going to try to do a tutorial for you on how to adapt them to the right size, add a border and prepare them for printing, etc – but well, it's not that easy and not everyone has the right software – so I just thought I would share the ones I made.
I did this in Photoshop and made all 4 the same size then added a border in a light matching color so the edges weren't just plain white.
Just as a guideline if you fancy trying this yourself, I made the image 8 by 6 inches and this worked well without distorting the images. You can find some great vintage sewing pattern envelope images on Google HERE. Pick the ones that suit your style.
To make your sewing pattern pouch
Materials:
- June Tailor printable fabric sheets – two pieces needed per bag
- 8-inch zipper or longer
- Fat quarter for lining and optional pocket
- Lightweight interfacing
- Vintage sewing pattern images or download the pre-prepared ones below
- Optional – Handmade for You printable fabric label
This is a 'pay what you can afford' download. Choose your price - anywhere from $0.00 upwards. Free downloads are fine - I won't come hunt you down or think badly of you!
Print, sew and enjoy using these vintage sewing pattern envelope files for your print-at-home fabric projects.
Preparation
Read through the earlier articles about printing on fabric here:
- How to print on fabric at home – 4 different ways
- Printing on fabric – washing and fading
- Print your own ‘handmade' labels
- Vintage envelope zipper pouch – print your own fabric
To make your pouch
Cut your fabric piece with a 1/2 inch seam allowance around the outside of the pattern image. Double-check they are the same size. If you are using my templates, then they should match OK.
Apply lightweight fusible interfacing to the back of the printed fabric.
Create an inside pocket if you like, add your own ‘designer' label and add it to one piece of your lining fabric.
Then sew your zipper pouch in the usual way. If you've not already made a ton of these sort of things before, then there is a step by step on how to sew under the earlier tutorial about how to use your own printed fabric to create the vintage envelope bag. Check out the sewing tutorial here.
And that's it, your sewing pattern pouch is ready to fill with your sewing supplies, or whatever else you want to use it for. I was jumping about with excitement about these, showing my husband and just squealing with the cuteness of it all. He seemed under-impressed until I told him that I had printed the fabric too, then he was a little more impressed but not much – honestly, only you ladies can appreciate how darned fabulous these bags are.
Now I know I can go on Sewing Holiday and have something awesome to take with me. I'm still nervous, but not so bad now. I'm wondering if any of you will be there? Hope we had a chance to say hello and get our photos taken together if so.
Copyright – please note, the issue of copyright on sewing patterns is extremely complicated. I don't believe there is anything to stop you using a sewing pattern envelope image to create your own bag or other items. However, that's OK for personal use, but you should not sell the bags unless you are certain that copyright does not apply to that pattern envelope or image you have used. Therefore feel free to download these images I have created for you, but please use them solely for your own personal use. Or create your own fabric from images of your choice.
This is a 'pay what you can afford' download. Choose your price - anywhere from $0.00 upwards. Free downloads are fine - I won't come hunt you down or think badly of you!
Print, sew and enjoy using these vintage sewing pattern envelope files for your print-at-home fabric projects.
LOVE these bags! I will make some for sure for my sewing friends.
I just used one of my patterns and printed it out on fabric. It was super easy and I had exactly the pattern I wanted. The landscape mode is a lot harder to find than the upright. I think I may have done one with a child’s pattern and made it for my granddaughter the year she got her sewing machine from her parents, I added accessories in the little pouch I made.
Apologies…2nd download file has both patterns +.
This idea is so cute. Thanks so much for sharing the tutorial. The vintage envelope idea is really cute, too. Thanks!
Absolutely brilliant! And trust me, we Iowans welcome you to Sioux City or any other of our great places.
I’m one of Angela Wolf’s Wolfpack and if she is any indication of the caliber of sewing professionals you will LOVE them all and find them ALL inspirations! Don’t worry!
That is adorable. I have lots of “vintage” (from the 70’s and on) patterns.
How wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing!
What an awesome, cool idea! I have lots of vintage patterns. Some date back early 1940’s. I will put that on my round to it button.
I really like these bags and especially the idea of printing pattern photos on the fabric! My mother and grandmother were very talented seamstresses. My mom designed most of her own patterns but occasionally purchased patterns. I still have some them and I chuckle at the sizes vs measurements and prices $.75!
Thanks for the memories and the idea of printing these treasures to create a unique
and useful bag.
I just saw this in my FB newsfeed — I just picked up my new Simplicity calendar and when I saw this — knew I needed to find someone to make me one! Thank you for making the pattern a “what you can afford” price — I know how much work it takes to put together such an informative post. Thank you for knowing that sometimes while you want to pay the creator for such a fantastic tutorial, it just isn’t in the budget.
I need someone to make one of these for me! Does anyone know where I can buy something like this?
I’ve downloaded the file and printed them out – and they look great! However, I thought you had images of the backs of the patterns as well. I received one file with 4 images (the fronts of the patterns) – is there another files as well?
Thanks! I’m making 12 of these for a quilt retreat!!
No Joice there are four only, love to see your finished quilt 🙂
WOW! Awesome!
Love the idea very unique!
Does this print OK on Nylon for underwear washing bag.
I have never tried, but I sure would love to find out, will you share the experiment with us?
Love this idea…
Genius idea, Deby!!! Love them.
Featured today, Deby…
I love this adorable idea. I have many vintage sewing patterns, mostly of baby/child clothing, and this will work perfectly to keep them safe. Thank you so much for sharing such a clever idea.
Wow I guess I’m vintage now too. I still have that tent pattern myself.Boy that makes me feel old.
Maybe I should have said ‘classic or timeless’ instead of vintage 😉
Such a cute idea Deby!
Boy, does this take me back! Simplicity 7689 was my 1968 prom dress! Mom made the “tent” out of a lace sprinkled with giant yellow daisies and designed a simple sleeveless yellow sheath to wear underneath it. While other girls were tripping on stuffy floor length formals, I was kicking up my heels! 🙂 BTW, I love this pouch idea. If you aren’t back home yet, I’d suggest looking for some Terial Magic to put in your suitcase. It will stiffen fabric for printing and then washes out soft.
Ah too late, I’m just back. Didn’t have any time for any shopping while I was there, but I’ll look for next time I go to the US, probably a year from now. Your prom dress sounds lovely 🙂
Deby, by your post I’m sure you’ve already found out what I have to share. People who sew are warm, caring people who don’t need to put others efforts down to build themselves up. The ones I’ve worked with are generous and love to share the knowledge they have acquired from someone else, to “pass it on.” I recently returned to sewing after 25 yrs off and my debut was at an ASG Sewing Event featuring Pamela Leggett of Pamela’s Patterns. The first night was a Trunk Show and Cocktail Hour. I worried like you did about how dressy to go and was I expected to make something I made (my last creation 27 yrs old ago didn’t even fit!). In a panic and about to cancel, I emailed the event contact my concerns. Her immediate response was “Don’t put that type of pressure on yourself! People will wear everything from jeans to work clothes. She ended with, “We are want to meet you, not your clothes.” Some did wear their own creations (the president had on a vintage garment she made in a cartoon print with matching fabric covered pumps and a leather handbag she had just taken a class for and made), but most did not. Best of all, the people were warm and I began some new friendships.
This is a very long response, but I shared it because I was so afraid to attend an event that ended up having a profound effect on my sewing. In case one of your readers finds herself in this situation, I want her to GO!
I completely agree, I was worried about nothing. Everyone was very nice and made everyone else feel welcome. If you were wearing something you made that was a bonus, but most people just came casual.
Anne H. Izard you rock! We should share and say more things like this to each other!
I love these cute little pouches! I will have to make some for carrying my supplies to Quilt club and Embroidery Club.
Thank you for sharing these!
I just adore the pattern envelope pouches! GREAT idea!
How cute! Thanks so much for sharing!
Love, love, love this pattern pouch!
I have TONS (a few dozen) of ancient patterns, a couple date back to pre-1910.
You did NOT meet Eleanor Burns????
I didn’t really personally meet her, but she was there at the event and did a great evening presentation which was fun, but I didn’t take one of her classes. I’m not much of a quilter!
Ohhhhhh, these pouches are too, too clever! I see a lot of potential here….As usual, you post something and I end up with a dozen ideas bouncing around my brain!
Three weeks until the grandkids, nieces, and nephews start school…I’ve got excuses for pouches to sew!
This is going to be too much fun!
The possibilities with this print your own fabric are just endless! Ah so many ideas, so little time 🙂
Hi Deby, what a cute idea! I love these pouches. It makes me want to go out and buy a printer so I can print and make some, too. I’m excited to hear about your Sewing Holiday experience. The list of instructors is impressive. I’ll be looking out for information on the next event and, hopefully, I’ll have gained enough experience to be able to participate in the next one. Thanks!
If I’d known it was in Sioux City, I would have signed up for it. I’ll have to chastise my mom for not telling me about this.
Oh no, sorry you missed it. It’s been great. I’ll try to do a write-up soon.