The Hipster Pouch
It’s been a over four years since I first released the Hipster Pouch pattern! It’s been overdue for an update for quite some time but you know, life gets chaotic and busy. I’m happy to share the update with you in an easily accessible blog post format now for whenever you need to access it.
About the Pattern:
The Hipster Pouch is designed to give babywearers the ability to carry belongings while keeping the hands free. A traditional ring waist brings new life to what once was shunned as the “fanny pack.” Not limited to just babywearing, the fashionable ring waist takes this pouch to a new level as a belted accessory that can be worn anytime. The pouch is perfectly sized to carry essentials and leave baggage behind
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For personal use only.
Do not copy, alter, or re-distribute in whole or in part.
Materials Needed
1⁄2 yard 54” wide mid to heavy weight fabric for clutch exterior 10 inch all-purpose zipper
2 small aluminum rings [2 inches in diameter]
[Optional]
1⁄4 yard 44” wide fabric for pouch lining if contrasting fabric is desired Walking foot
Zipper foot
Fabric Suggestions
I recommend using mid to bottom-weight fabrics for the exterior of the pouch to give it body. Home décor fabrics work very nicely with this pouch. If you choose to use a lighter weight fabric, be sure to use a fusible interfacing [I recommend Pellon Shape-flex] for the exterior pieces. The lining fabric is less finicky—you can use the same exterior fabric or something more light-weight like a cute printed quilting cotton.
Getting Started
- Print pattern pieces on letter sized paper at “actual size” – do not scale or “fit to page”
- Measure test square located on the pattern cover sheet to ensure accurate print
- Cut out each pattern piece by cutting along the solid lines
- Prepare fabric and cut fabric according to pattern pieces
- Cut a 7 inch by 52 inch piece from your fabric – this will be the tail that is threaded through the rings to secure the pouch
[IMPORTANT: The tail at the specified length is designed to fit a range of body types. You may measure your own waist and add approximately 15-20 inches to allow for a tail. If a length longer than 54” is required, this will affect the fabric requirements—in which case the length of your fabric will need to increase to the corresponding number of inches for the waist, unless piecing the tail together.
Suggested Cutting Layout
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PATTERN!
Constructing the Ring Holder
- Place the “Ring Holder” fabric piece WRONG SIDE UP on your work surface
- Fold each concave edge over 1⁄2” toward the wrong side of the fabric and press
3. Fold the same hems over again 1⁄2” and press
4. Edgestitch along the curves to secure the hem on both sides of the ring holder piece
- Feed the ring holder fabric piece through the center of both rings
- Fold the ring holder in half so that the straight ends lay on top of one another with wrong sides touching
-
Stitch along the straight edge to keep the two sides together
Constructing the Tail
8. With the 7 inch by 52 inch piece of fabric cut, start by folding one of the long sides over 1⁄2” toward the center of the WRONG side of the fabric
9. Fold over again by 1⁄2” and press – then edgestitch along the fold to secure. Repeat this hem on the other long edge.
10. Now we’re going to finish off one of the short ends and leave the other unfinished, since it will be hidden within the seam. To do this, start by folding the short end over to the WRONG side by 1⁄2” and press. Fold over 1⁄2” more and sew along the edge:
This is what you should have now- a long hemmed tail for your pouch with one of the short ends unfinished.
Constructing the Pouch
11. Lay the exterior “Front Bottom” fabric piece RIGHT SIDE UP on the work surface
12. Place the zipper face down onto the exterior fabric piece along the top edge of the fabric. Align the edge of the zipper tape with the edge of the fabric—pin in place
13. With a zipper foot attached (or needle moved to the far left position), sew along the zipper with a 1⁄4” seam allowance. Open the seam and press
14. Lay the exterior “Front Top” fabric piece RIGHT SIDE DOWN onto the unsewn side of the zipper – pin in place
15. Sew the “Front Top” piece to the zipper by sewing in the same direction as before – this will eliminate waviness and puckers
16. Open and press
17. Topstitch along the fabric at 1/8” in from the zipper tape edge—do this on both sides of the zipper
[Below: topstitching completed for top side of zipper]
18. Take the “Back” lining fabric piece and cut a 4.5” slit horizontally on the lower half of the piece
[we’re going to turn the pouch through this slit and close it up later]
19. Layer the “Back” lining piece with the LINING SIDE UP behind the newly created front panel
20. Retrieve the ring and tail pieces and place them onto the work surface
21. Open the zipper approximately 3⁄4 of the way across
[Below: the zipper is open and the lining fabric is face up behind the front exterior of the pouch]
22. Place the “Ring Holder” piece onto the body of the pouch and align the raw, straight edge with the left side of the pouch. The top of the ringed piece should rest directly above the top of the zipper
23. Secure the ring piece temporarily with pins or clips
24. Align the raw end of the tail fabric with the right side of the pouch – you may choose to add a pleat here to reduce the width of the strap as it extends from the pouch body so it is proportionate with the ring strap, though it isn’t necessary. Roll up the excess and lay it over the center of the pouch
25. Place the “Back” exterior fabric piece RIGHT SIDE DOWN onto the body of the pouch so that it is covering the “Ring Holder” and “Tail” pieces—pin or clip in place
Make sure that the zipper is not closed before moving on!
26. Sew around the entire pouch with a 1⁄2” seam allowance
27. Clip the corners to reduce bulk
28. Turn the pouch through the slit that was cut into the lining layer
29. Even though we’ve turned once, we’re going to have to turn the rest of the pouch again, this time through the zipper that we’ve left open
30. Once the pouch is right side out, take a look inside at the lining and you’ll see the hole that we created earlier—pull that out to work on it
31. Now it’s time to close the hole – you can use a hand needle and slip stitch to close the opening discreetly OR turn the edges of the hole under and with your sewing machine, stitch very closely to the edge of the fabric along the opening. I recommend using a thread that blends well with the lining for the machine method
32. Reach into the pouch—prod and fingerpress the seams to get everything situated neatly
That’s It! You did it!
If you’ve finished this project,
check out the full line of baby carrier sewing patterns in the shop!
