Can we ever have enough pouches? Place to put your change. Chap stick. Crayons.

I saw a quilted heart-shaped pouch on Instagram from CenterPoint Quilts. The Heartbeat Pouch.

And the pattern was on sale.

So I had to buy it.

And here is the first one I made.

Just like when I’m trying a new recipe, I stick with the directions with a new pattern.

I used some of my precious Ruby Star Society “Strawberry & Friends”. The tutorial was pretty easy. Even putting the zipper in. (Seriously, this is the easiest way I have ever seen to add a zipper!) I think a beginner sewist could handle this pattern. It comes in two sizes. The small size finished at about 6″ at the widest portion–where the zipper is. And the large size is approximately 8″.

Then I had to try two more. For these I made the tab 1″ wide and used a 1″ d-ring rather than a swivel hook. I added a wristlet to these with the swivel hook. I made the wristlet with Sotak Handmade’s instructions. I have made this so many times. I need to thank Sotak Handmade for her great free instructions by buying one of her patterns this year.

For the pouch on the right I used some of the Bonnie & Camille fabric that I’ve had stashed away. Another one of my favorites. (I love their aqua and red combinations.) The one on the left was a fat quarter that I had bought In a quilt shop in Garrison, ND and used a tiny section for some hexies. I love this fabric! I wish I had bought more! (When I love a fabric or designer, I love them so much!)

And because I was procrastinating on a different project that I really didn’t want to start, I made the large size. Again with scraps of the Ruby Star Society fabric. (Not much left of that!)

The pattern has instructions for both binding and non-binding the interior seams. I HATE unfinished seams so I did the binding method for the first pouch but didn’t really like how it looked when I turned it right side out. Kind of bunched up at the valley at the top of the heart. ( I don’t know if that’s the right term but I’m using it for this post!)

And then I got the bright idea to just use my serger to finish the seams. Now. I seldom use my serger. Although I really want to use it (in my dream world I will make trendy knit outfits on my serger) so when I think I could actually use it, I drag it out of it’s own special cabinet and spend about an hour trying to thread it and loop it. And I had made an adorable purple version of the pouch which I didn’t get pics of that I was trying the serger on. And forgot to remove the blade. Right there at the valley, there was an inch cut. Yikes!

HEAVY SIGH. That pouch went in the trash can. (But then I pulled it out and cut the top off. It’s now just a v-shaped tiny pouch that will remind me to respect the serger! But will I remember next time I pull my seldom-used machine out? Outlook doubtful. More hijinks will most likely ensue! with no laughter!)

Then I used the over-lock stitch on my Babylock Unity on the blue pouch for the seams. That was okay. I tried the binding on the third pouch. Okay. Then I did the overlock on the large pouch.

Here they are:

I think the binding looks clunky. Of course, no one will ever see it because it’s the inside.

You can see when they are turned right side out, that there is more bunching in the “valley” on the pouches that used the binding method. Does it matter? Probably not, but when I make more, I’ll probably just overlock the seams. (Not with my serger! I imagine evil laughter from the serger in its cabinet.)

This project really was fun to make. Especially fun because I loved loved loved these pouches. I’m pretty sure there will be a lot of these that will be made for all of my friends and relatives. Eventually.

And one more heart-shaped project for you. There is a connection. Bear with me…..

I usually make several felt hearts every year. I give them away in February. I give them to friends. I give them to strangers. I leave them with the tip when I go out to breakfast or lunch or dinner. I also keep them in a bowl on my coffee table for some Valentine decor. (My brother-in-law in Phoenix made that bowl!)

I use a wool-blend felt that I bought through Etsy. And I ordered a lot of it several years ago so I don’t remember which company I used. I just cut out heart shapes, stitch on a ribbon, maybe trim with fancy scissors, stuff them with a wee bit of poly-fiber then sew them up with my machine.

And then I was truly inspired by all the small felt hearts on Instagram. Embroidery. Buttons. Sequins! So I had to up my game a little and make some fancy-schmancy hearts.

(I didn’t have any sequins but I’m pretty sure I’ll have some for the next holiday!)

They look adorable on my Pom Pom Garland in the window of my creative cave.

But they also fit right into the small heart pouches. And I do think a few are going to take a little trip with the USPS to the cold white north to see my granddaughters. Perhaps along with a few other items stuffed in those adorable heartbeat pouches!

And, just like that, I think I’m finished with this year’s Valentines’ projects!

Time to move onto the next holiday–and it’s not Ground Hog day!