comma mini charm zip pouch

The Moda booth at Quiltcon was handing out free mini charm packs, comprised of 2.5" squares. I picked the Comma line by Zen Chic and immediately sewed it up into a simple patchwork panel when I got home. I pieced them using the fusible interfacing method, mostly because I planned to make a zip pouch from it and figured the stiffer it was, the better.

I added some batting and quilted it using a zig-zag stitch along all the seams, then decided it wasn't quite stiff enough for my liking and went back over it with a grid on the diagonal through the points. All this was done with my walking foot. I used some mechanical genius circuit boards (a Timeless Treasures print I got for 50% off at Fat Quarter Shop a while ago, gotta love a good deal!) for the backside and quilted it with wavy lines in orange thread. 

The lining fabric is a Tina Givens print called "on the fence" which I picked up a few months ago in a super sale at delta patchwork for something like 2 dollars a yard. Talk about cheap! The scale of the print turned out way larger than I was expecting, so I figured I'd use some of it up for this. 

I put little tabs on the ends of the zipper and kept the zipper+tabs length a good 1.25" shorter than the width of the outer panels so the tabs wouldn't get sewn into the seams. This way it's less bulk to sew through and the corners look neater, I think. I also kept the lining a good half inch shorter on the sides and bottom, making it a tad smaller so it would fit better inside the pouch. 

I'm very please with how it turned out, even though it took me a month and a half to finally install the zipper and finish the darn thing! It measures in at a generous 12x14 inches and will be perfect for carrying my rotating cutting mat, square rulers and other larger, flattish quilting tools when I'm traveling. And kudos to me for whipping up a post about it the same day I finished it!

There are still two hours left in this Friday, so I'm linking up with Amanda Jean over at Crazy Mom Quilts for Finish it up Friday :D

Oh and don't forget about the Give Me Liberty! sew-along Nicole and I are hosting! I plan to post about my progress on Monday and would love for you to come by then and share where you're at in the comments. Have a fantastic weekend!