Cross Body Pouch with Treasured Threadz

For the next few weeks, the Therm O Web Design Team will be sharing projects created with NEW Treasured Threadz™ Fabric Panels. Here's some information about this fun new collection we know you'll love . . . Treasured Threadz Fabric Panels are designed especially for sewing, quilting and embellishing projects. Curated and designed by Amy Barickman using her collection of rare vintage art, textiles and quilts, Treasured Threadz Fabric Panels are a shortcut to creating your own unique style. Upcycle thrift-shop finds, refresh favorites from your closet or make entirely new clothing, accessories and home décor. Panels are 100% cotton, measure 14”x44” and feature faux patchwork and original collaged art ideal for applique and small projects, plus embroidery, quilting, stitching and collage techniques. Every panel purchase includes exclusive QR Code Content: three original PDF patterns, video tutorials and a digital Look Book that features 25+ pages of project ideas and creative inspiration. Treasured Threadz Favorite Fusible Stabilizer, a low-loft fusible batting designed for hand quilting and embroidery projects, adds extra stability and dimension to projects; purchase includes PDF instructions and video tutorials for Amy’s signature applique techniques. Treasured Threadz products are distributed by Colonial Patterns. To learn more about Amy and her story, check out her conversation with Brandy Maslowski of the Quilter on Fire Podcast, episode #155; search your favorite podcast app or listen here. Now, on to today’s Treasured Threadz + Therm O Web Design Team Tour, featuring a fun, fashion-forward Cross Body Pouch by Dori Troutman. When I received several of the Treasured Threadz Quilt Block Fabric Panels from Amy Barickman, I was so excited. I chose to use the Postage Stamp Retro Panel for my project today. For everyone that follows me here and on Instagram, you know that I absolutely love anything 30's vintage feedsack (especially if it's red!) and this Postage Stamp Retro Panel just screamed 30's vintage to me! Amy is such a doll and she has so many fantastic ideas to use her panels for; be sure to watch her YouTube video and learn all about them.

I didn't have to think but a minute about what I would make with this panel, and here's why: I have a dear elderly friend in her 80's that struggles to keep track of her cell phone (don't we all?!). She asked me if I would make her a little cross body purse to not only hold her phone but also a few important things she needs on hand. She said she wanted "something with denim"... and when I received this darling retro postage stamp fabric there was no question about it - paired with denim it would be really awesome! As with so many things I make, I did not use a pattern. Winging it tends to be my strategy; however, you can find a free pattern and tutorial that is similar to what I made by clicking here. Amy also sent a package of her Treasured Threadz Favorite Fusible Stabilizer that I used in this bag. It is very soft and easy to work with and fuses to the fabric so nicely. Used with Therm O Web's HeatnBond products it was such a perfect combination of products! One thing that I have never done in all my years of sewing is use glue for installing a zipper. But I've been using Fabric Fuse Adhesive and wow, what a game changer. It bonds the zipper to the fabric very quickly and there's hardly any waiting to be able to sew. (Also no gumming up of glue on the needle!) You can see in the picture below what a clean finish it gave the zipper! You only need to apply tiny dots or a very thin layer of glue for a strong bond. For the little patch on the front of the bag, I used the HeatnBond Lite Iron-On Adhesive, which is my favorite way to make a perfect adhesive patch that is also sewable. The little postage stamp patch is so cute on this bag. I loved doing a little hand sewing on the tiny postage stamp panel for the top of portion of the bag. it made it look exactly as I hoped... like it was teeny little fabric squares sewn together! What a fun and fast way to create that look. I also did a little hand quilting on the larger fabric patch. The really fun thing about this Postage Stamp Retro Panel is that there are three different sizes of patchwork. I used the medium-size patchwork on the back of the bag and sewed it to the adorable gingham that also comes on the panel. I just did some simple straight-line quilting with my sewing machine. For the lining of the front pocket, I used the dot portion of the panel. Talk about adorable!!! And for the lining of the main opening of the bag I simply used denim scraps. I'm so happy with how precious this Cross Body Cell Phone Bag is. My friend Shirley will be able to keep her large iPhone in the main zipper part of the bag and her keys, ID card and money in the small outer zip pocket. It also has a nice long strap for hanging across her chest to keep her phone and important things right where she needs them. (I did not have enough fabric left from the panel for the strap so I used a red check gingham that I had on hand. It's a perfect match!)   I loved using the Treasured Threadz Panel and Therm O Web products to create this project! I couldn't be happier with how it came out! Happy Sewing my friends!