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Sew the Perfect Pouch for Holding Jewelry or Coins on the Go
- Nichole Jensen
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Have you ever had a problem or need and thought “I can fix that with sewing?" That’s exactly why I started making Double Snap Pouches. I don’t like to sleep while wearing earrings, so I take them out each night. The next day I put them all back in, but that typically happens while waiting at a red light while I’m out running errands. I needed a way to carry those earrings and other jewelry that didn’t take up too much space and kept them secure and easy to retrieve one handed.
Plus, my soccer-playing daughter needed a place to put her jewelry items while at practice and games when she forgot to take them off at home. No matter how safe that duffle bag pocket seems, jewelry seemed to get lost. I wanted a way to hold items securely that could be used easily on the go and this pouch fits the bit perfectly! The two snaps hold everything in, the flat bottom when it's opened makes it very easy to find what you're looking for, and the keyring on the side can attach to a backpack, purse, or duffle bag!
Watch the video tutorial:
Supplies:
This post may contain affiliate links which means at no extra cost to you I may receive a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links.
100 percent cotton fabric – one for the exterior pouch and one for the interior plus a small amount for the optional keychain tab
Two sets of size 20 plastic snaps (two caps, two innie belly button pieces and two outie belly button pieces)
Fabric marking pen or (my guilty favorite) a fine tip Sharpie
Iron and ironing board
Sewing clips and/or pins
Sewing machine
Matching or coordinating all-purpose thread
Optional:
Get Started Making a Double Snap Pouch:
First print out the free templates. Make sure you select “actual size” from your printer settings instead of letting it “fit to printable area”. I recommend printing two copies preferably on cardstock which is thicker and a bit sturdier. Cut out one copy of the template along the solid line for the fabric, and one along the dotted line for the interfacing.
Line up your template so the long straight edge is even with a fold in your fabric and trace your template on the back of the fabric. Cut one from exterior fabric and one from the interior fabric.
Use the second template to cut two pieces of interfacing also lined up with the fold.
Iron the interfacing onto the back of both the exterior and interior fabric pieces.
Create a Keychain Tab for a Double Snap Pouch:
If you want to add a keychain tab, it’s time to create it. Cut a piece of fabric (I use my interior fabric) at 3 inches x 2 inches. Fold in half the long way and iron it. Open the fold up and then fold one of the long edges up to meet the center line you just created and iron it. Turn the piece around and fold the second long edge up to meet the center and iron it. Fold both long edges up to the center and iron a fourth time.
Take this to the sewing machine and close the opening with a 1/8-inch seam allowance. I like to stitch a second line on the other side of the tab just so the sides look uniform.
I recommend sewing the keychain tab to the exterior fabric at this point. You could sew it when you are stitching your interior and exterior together but keeping it straight while sewing the other pieces can be tricky and I find it easier to just get it sewed on at this stage.
Fold the keychain loop in half and clip it in place on the right side of the exterior 1/4 inch up from the intersection of the top flap (the longest one) and the right side flap. Place about 1 inch of the folded edge toward the center of the exterior pouch fabric with the raw edges hanging off the side.
Sew this with a 1/8-inch seam allowance.
Now let’s get the rest of the pieces ready to sew together. Place the exterior on the bottom with the right side (pretty side) face up. Place the interior fabric on top with the right side (pretty side) face down so the two fabrics have “rights to rights” and clip around the edges to hold them in place.
Mark a two-inch section at the bottom of the pouch (the side opposite the long top flap) that you will not sew in the next step.
Sew around edges with ¼ inch seam allowance except that section you marked.
Clip the excess fabric from the corners and clip inward at the four "intersections" where the flaps meet the body of the pouch without cutting your stitch line.
Flip the whole thing right side out through the opening you left. Use a turning tool to push out all the corners and edges.
Turn the edges of the opening toward the inside ¼ of an inch so they match the rest of the seams you just made.
Iron the entire pouch to smooth out any wrinkles and flatten out the seams.
Top stitch the opening shut with a 1/8-inch seam allowance and then also top stitch the two remaining smaller flaps. Do not top stitch the top flap at this point.
Next, we are going to sew the sides to create the pouch shape. Orient yourself so the lid/top flap is at the top.
Fold the bottom flap (the one opposite the top flap) toward the flap to the left and line up the edges. Sew along this edge with a 1/8-inch seam.
Repeat this process with the bottom flap and the flap to the right of it.
Clip the remaining open edges to the left and right top flap edges and then sew one line from the back left corner, around the top flap, and down the last open flap edge to close everything up.
Fold the side flaps inward and the bottom flap toward the center of the pouch. Iron everything in place so your pouch has a little of what I think of as “muscle memory.”
Adding Plastic Snaps to the Double Snap Pouch:
Use a marking tool or Sharpie to mark where you want to attach the snaps. I place mine ½-inch up from the bottom edge of the top flap and ¾ of an inch in from each side.
Create holes in the spots you just marked with an awl and push the awl down into the fabric of the bottom portion of the pouch to mark where you want the second portion of the snap to go. Mark the small hole with a dot with your fabric marker or Sharpie.
Install both sets plastic snaps on the top and bottom of the pouch. You can watch a video tutorial of this step here.
Pop on a keychain ring onto your tab and it’s ready to be used! I just love these for jewelry and coins on the go.
Grab the free printable pattern template here:
Happy crafting!