I’m popping in again with something new during my semi-hiatus! :B
I’ve been itching to make another project with a game controller motif since I made an NES controller messenger bag for my boyfriend more than a year ago 😀 Growing up with the NES and SNES, I just love how retro those designs looked. Especially the controls you would see for arcade games, how the buttons would go along with what you needed for the game. It just seemed like something fun to play around with in a motif. What clinched it was making the BMO plush for the giveaway I held a while back. That little guy is clearly a nod to retro video games, and seeing how his buttons and panels were laid out made me realize all the variety that can be had.
The structure of the pouch is very similar to the Cassette Pouches I did earlier, but these have a dart in them for a little more depth – just another variation of a small project so I can make the most of my strange mix of quilting fabrics x3
Difficulty:
Really basic, though there are French seams and some zippers to deal with if you find those tricky.
Makes one 8 1/2” x 5” pouch
Materials & Tools:
• 1/4 yd. of light to medium weight fabric for case (linen or light twill would be perfect – I used quilting cotton)
• 1/4 yd. of lightweight fabric for lining (light cotton would be perfect – I used polyester lining fabric)
• 9” (at least) zipper
• Matching sewing thread
• Basic sewing tools (sewing machine, scissors, iron, needles, pins, fabric marker, seam ripper)
Appliqué supplies:
• 4” x 8” scrap of appliqué fabric for controller base
• 5” x 5” scrap of appliqué fabric for button panels
• 3” x 3” scrap of appliqué fabric for buttons
• 8” x 8” scrap of light or heavy duty fusible web
Before you begin:
1. Print out the project pattern here
2. Lay out the pattern pieces on your fabric and cut them out
3. Mark the fabric pieces with the markings from the pattern
1. As per usual, we start with the appliqué. Trace the whichever appliqué patterns you like, iron them to your fusible web, cut them out, then arrange them on your pouch however you wish. I prefer to do the buttons in a bright contrasting color, and use a neutral such as white or light gray for the panels. Hopefully you will also enjoy coming with different combinations and arrangements 😀 I sewed mine on with a zigzag stitch, but you could also use a straight or satin stitch. Or you could skip the sewing altogether if you’ve used heavy duty fusible web.
2. Trim your zipper to 8 1/2” long, then sew the zipper tabs on the ends: sandwich the cut ends of the zipper between two of the zipper tab pieces and sew through all the layers. This will make the zipper much easier to install into the pouch later.
3. Sew the darts in the outer pouch fabric and the lining by folding the triangle markings in half. Sew down one side (leg) of the dart towards the point.
4. To install the zipper, layer the zipper between the outer pouch fabric and one of the lining pieces with right sides facing. Sew all three layers together with a 1/4” seam allowance. When you finish, press the fabric away from the zipper, then repeat the same step with the other side of the zipper and the remaining pouch pieces.
5. A typical pattern such as this would usually have you sew the lining and outer case fabrics separately to finish off the project. I chose to try something different to go along with the flimsy lining fabric I was using. Feel free to try it out to see if the process is for you. If you want to finish the pattern the typical way, steps 10 & 11 of *The Zip Top Purse* will cover it nicely 😀
Layer all the case fabrics together with lining fabrics facing inward and outer fabrics facing outward – everything should be arranged as if the case were finished. Pin the edges together as precisely as you can, then sew the layers together with a medium width zigzag; a seam allowance at about 1/8”. Go around the perimeter of the case, then clip any excess fabric along the sides, bottom, and corners when you finish.
6. To complete the French seam, turn the whole case right side out and press it flat. The goal here is to sew a scant 3/8” seam that will encase your previous seam allowance, so it can be a bit tricky to make sure that seam is completely covered. Once you’re sure you have it, sew along the perimeter of the case as before, and that finishes your pouch!
I hope you’ll give this project a try, but if you’d just like to buy the one in the photos, you can find it on my Etsy.
If you do try making the project, I’d love to see it! And I’ll send you exclusive free patterns as a reward!
I feel just awful that I haven’t been posting as often, but I promise I’ll soon be back to the swing of things as before 😀 For now, you can still expect to get another free tutorial in about a month ^-^
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1 thought on “Freebie Friday! The Game Controller Pouch”
I wanted to receive email updates and freebies but I’m not sure how to do it. I loved the wampa plush and followed you via email but I’m not sure if it worked. I would appreciate it if you got back to me. Thanks <3