Briar Rose Challenge

A few months ago, I (finally) got a new phone (it had been like 5 years) and with a new phone came the ability to actively participate on Instagram!  One of the first things I discovered on Instagram was the fabric shop Quilt Sandwich Fabrics, and they just so happened to be holding a fabric challenge.  I was lucky enough to grab a spot and participate!  They sent me two fat eighths of Heather Ross's Briar Rose Fabric and I could create anything I wanted just so long as it used both fabrics.  I received the two prints that you can plainly see above, so pretty!  I just love the grasshoppers hidden amongst the clover!

I knew all along that I wanted to make a pouch, but I stalled on the type of pouch for a while, and then in the end I decided to make one of my own designs.  It is a gusset bottomed pouch with a curved top that measures 8" wide x 7" tall x 2.5" wide.  It has a pretty little front detail, and is the perfect size to hold a little sewing project or throw in your purse to keep things nice and organized.  For the exterior I used only the two prints of Briar Rose that I was sent and decided to add the pretty little lace details to the sides of the front panel detail.  After I was finished I decided to add the three buttons, as just a final little fun detail, which also worked really well for holding down the lining on the inside of the pouch.  For the interior I used some larger scraps from a Denyse Schmidt print from JoAnn Fabrics.

I have a TON of zippers in my collection, so it wasn't hard to find the perfect fit, a great matching green.  I tried a different technique for installing the zipper, and was really pleased with the results.  On the right side or end of the zipper I sewed on a tab to cover the end, but on the left side, I chose to sharply fold the zipper into the seam, and I really was pleased with the clean finish of it, no bunching and really smooth, which worked well with my curved top.  You can see both ends, above and below.

Below is the back of the pouch, you can see I carried the front details over to the back, but just omitted the buttons.  I used Pellon 50, which is a stiffer sew in interfacing for the pouch, which gives it just enough stiffness to totally stand on its own, but keeps it thin and not puffy at all.  I love that!

Now comes the part where I need your help.  The Briar Rose Challenge features two winners, one will be chosen by the staff at Quilt Sandwich Fabrics, and the other is a people's choice award.  So if you have a minute, hop over HERE to vote for your favorite project, it doesn't have to be mine, because honestly there are so many fabulous projects, it is hard to choose which one is the best!  But if you want to vote for me, I won't mind!  All you have to do is leave a comment on the blog post for your favorite.  Hurry though, because voting ends tomorrow!

Thank you Quilt Sandwich Fabrics for the fabric and the challenge it was really fun and I forgot just how much I like making my own designs!