Add a Gathered Pocket to the Tiny Box Zippy

If you’ve been sewing a Tiny Box Zippy or the Hazel Pouch Trio with Michael Ann and I as part of our #sewalongduo, I wanted to share a tutorial about adding a gathered pocket to the top of your pouch! I’m giving this pouch to my daughter for Christmas to use as a jewelry box, and I thought it might be nice to have extra space in the top pocket.

Measure the pocket, then, cut a rectangle twice the height and one inch longer. Fold in half lengthwise and round the corners using the pattern piece. Cut a length of 1/4″ braided elastic (not woven) the same as the pocket width. Sew a 3/8″ casing along the folded edge.

Lengthen the stitch on your machine and sew two gather lines, one at 1/8″ and one at 1/4″, leave a long tail and then adjust the bottom thread to gather the pocket to the width of the pouch top. Feed the elastic through the casing and secure.

Note: Pull the elastic tighter than the pouch top by about 1/2-1″, it will seem like the pouch is pulled too tight, but the elastic will be loose otherwise!

Sew around the pocket to stitch it in place, trying to keep the gathers even at the bottom. Trim excess elastic from the sides.

A quick note on directional prints. I arranged my top print so that the feet of the girls would be toward the zipper, then when the lid is open, I wanted the girls right side up, so they’re upside down from each other on the lid, I did my best to get a photo as I almost sewed it backwards when I was working on it.

Here’s the finished pouch, so you can see the direction of the prints.

And here is my sweet girl’s jewelry all tucked inside! I really enjoyed making this pouch, especially since I’ve made it once before. Though, I did get ahead of myself a couple times! I’ve also shared a few tips for sewing the Tiny Box Zippy with Soft & Stable on Instagram. Use the tag #sewalongduotips to see them and Michael Ann‘s tips for the Hazel Pouch Trio!

I know this has been a causal sew along, but I hope you’ve enjoyed it. There’s still time to pick up a discount pattern bundle and share your finished pouch on Instagram or link up your blog post here (still a couple giveaways to go!):

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