yay – I’m finally posting this!!!
My dear Rosamund was born last Sunday morning without a hitch – thanks to a fabulous husband, excellent doctor, and….let’s face it – glorious epidural. Sorry naturalists…i tried my best, but the meds won out over this weakling!
Just before I went into labor, I was working on this tutorial (along with 2 Etsy dresses, house cleaning, planting a tree, and craigslisting!). So, I’m delighted to finally get it posted. I think I first mentioned this tutorial sometime LAST YEAR!! Well, here it is….
How to Make a Tissue / Kleenex Pouch – a DIY Tutorial just for y’all! Warning: THESE ARE FUN!
We're going to make just these oh-so-easy basic ones. At the end I'll show a couple of variations for the days when you have 6 minutes instead of just 5.
Let’s Get Started, shall we?!?
Start with two scrap pieces. These don't have to be large pieces.
You'll be cutting 2 pieces - both cut to 6" x 7"
As you can see - I prefer to cut my pieces right sides together so that they're ready immediately for sewing. Just saves a couple of seconds, but worth it to me!
Now, using a scant 1/4" seam (or less), sew along the edges leaving a small opening on one of the 6" sides. You can see my opening on the right hand side. For those of you brand new to sewing, this is exactly how you make a pillow, too!
Clip your corners!!!
Turn right side out. Then use your scissors to push out the corners.
What next??? Pressing, of course! Say it with me, "If you dont have time to press, you don't have time to sew!"
Next, you'll need to close up that hole that you left, so top stitch along that side. Go ahead and top stitch along the other side, too, so that both sides look identical. clip those tail threads!
Decide which side you'd like to be the outside and which you'd like to be the lining. Place the square with the outside fabric facing you, fold the two topstitched sides into the center.
Again using a very narrow seam allowance, stitch along the sides (the sides that have not been topstitched)
Turn right side out, PRESS, and you're done!!!
I really really really enjoy making these. I think because it’s such a fun and fast way to bring your scraps to life … or, maybe even a way to enjoy some of that expensive fabric without going broke!
COST: FREE!!!! If you give it as a gift, please be kind and include a package of tissues. This will bring your cost to a whopping 33 CENTS!
TIME: first time – probably about 7 minutes. every time after that – under 5 minutes!!!
This is my go-to project for a little pick-me-up, a last-minute hostess gift or stocking stuffer, etc. I hope you’ll make some too!
As promised, here are some variations... me being me ... ruffles are always welcomed!
To this one, I added a button loop and a covered button. (I have a tutorial here for covering buttons)
Here, I just cut out a heart from a piece of scrap felt and attatched it with a seam down the middle. This one makes me smile!
As you can imagine, the options are endless here.
If you make one or SOME, send me photos!!!
Congratulations on your babygirl!!!!
And thanks for the tutorial, they look really cute and seem easy to make – even for an almost-beginner like me who, until now, has only sewn pillows and started a quilt, like, two years ago. Ahem.
They could be just the right project to get me started again…
Enjoy the babymoon!
Posting with a newborn baby around? You’re a rockstar!
Ha! If you only knew how much multitasking was going on – you’d be REALLY impressed! Or disgusted…not sure which!
thanks robie!! were you nursing rosamund as you typed this?
no comment.
Robie! My goodness. It’s Amy McKinney…you know, from Nimitz…drill team… I love your blog! And congrats on your new baby girl!! Kerri (Dupree) Hamilton referred me to your blog and I’m tickled to find you out here in blogland creating and DIYing…
Fun stuff!
Amy
Hey Amy!! What a crazy world!!! I was super excited to read this this morning – day #10 of 3 kids is becoming a bit overwhelming…thanks for adding some cheer! =) Let me know how you’re doing and what you’re up to…and of course, what you’re DIY’ing!
Really cute and thanks for the tutorial. I have a question: I notice that you didn’t overlap the seams in the middle. Does it pop open when you put a pack of tissue inside?
THanks again.
T. Bui
I have never had a problem not overlapping my seams. It’s very simple to adjust, though, if you’d like to… Just extend the 7″ length to about 8″. That will give you 1/2″ on both sides to overlap.
THank you. It looks like one of your materials is denim, so you don’t need any interfacing?
I didn’t see any.
T. Bui
For the tutorial, all the material is either quilting cotton or seersucker, no denim. I have never added interfacing, but it wouldn’t be a bad idea. If you try it, let me know if it helps or if it makes it too stiff … you’ve sparked my curiosity!
That is so cute and with so many little girls’ b-days during the summer this gives me some ideas. Thank you
Congrats on a new babe!!!
Oh gosh, I’ve never thought about making these for little girls, but how fabulous!!! They love all things “grown up” so this would be so special! Great idea!
I WOULD LOVE TO SUBSCRIBE TO YOUR SITE
I just made one of these and used my serger to make sooo quick and easy. I and other family members are headed over to Germany to see my grand daughter and I will be making one for each of us to carry. Thanks for the tutorial.
Hi!
I have made many of these. I cut mine 6 1/2″ x 7 1/2″, then when I turn them right side out at the end, I sew across both ends again. This makes them a little tighter, and the tissues stay in better.
A great way to use up scraps! Thanks.
I LOVE this…just made a few, you can check out my favorite on my facebook (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150401422757244&set=a.10150307225487244.389951.501842243&type=3&theater). It’s simple, useful, and adorable.
I’ve made many of these and sold them in my little gift shop. Women are always picking these up for their purses while on vacations or as gifts for friends back home. Just a “little something” to take back to them. I heard one woman say to another, these are so cute, I’m buying one for a pattern, the price is so good I have to have it to make more.”. I had to chuckle, She is probably busy making a bunch for friends or grandkids.
Hi Marcy, how much do you sell them for?
This is a pretty simple and nice piece. Thanks for. Posting this.
I love this! If you don’t decorate it with buttons and such it could be reversible… My DIL and granddaughter are getting these very soon. Thanks
Hey great idea!! Oober cute! Do you think if you added some sort of water proof material on the inside, such as a plastic lining or something, that this could be used for baby wipes? Just curious, I love trying new things!!
That’s a really fun idea gabbamomma! Just be sure to use it for things that are not going to be eaten – I just learned that PUL and waterproof fabrics have some sort of chemical on them that make them not good for snack holders. just fyi … but i LOVE the baby wipe idea!!
I HAVE to try making these!!! They’re so cute!
PUL has a chemical?!? I was about to make diaper covers for my #3grandbaby,,,what was I thinking?!
thanks for the great tutorial! here’s a pic of the four pouches i made this afternoon: http://www.flickr.com/photos/evepenman/8149061779/in/photostream#
This is a cute, simple tutorial for a stocking stuffer! THANK YOU!
where do I find the tissues that open from the top
Hey Billie! I usually find them in a pack of 3 in the travel aisle at Walmart and/or Target. I hope this helps!
Question. This is 7″ x 6″ so which sides do you fold in. It is not a square where it wouldn’t matter. Thanks Dee
Hi Dee! It’s been a while since I made these…but I’m pretty sure you fold in the 6″ sides so that the finished measurement is approx. 6″ x 3.5″
Many thanks for sharing! It’s so cute and useful, a great idea for a last minute gift!