1001 Peeps Summer Camp: Magical Story Puppet Pouch

When we took our trip to Boston this summer, I didn’t bother to make the baby a backpack–people who don’t walk don’t need backpacks.  But I had an idea that I wanted to make her something.  I have been processing this idea ever since, and was really more than a little thrilled to learn that it worked!

Tiny soft puppets in a bag, but anchored with ribbons so they don’t get lost, like an itty puppet theater that travels with you.

Plus, a storage section below for snacks or treats or treasure!  With all the mystery and intrigue of the Arabian Nights, it seems only fitting that there be a Magical Story-Telling Pouch to go with them!

Magical Story-Telling Pouch Tutorial

Requires just TWO fat quarters of 1001 Peeps fabric (although you can totally get away with scraps if you’re doing the Diamond Mountain Quilt Along–these pieces are pretty smallish), one yard of ribbon, and some interfacing.  Sweet!  Download the PDF.

Cut two pieces for the upper and lower pouch measuring 16″ x 6″.  Interface one to use as the lower pouch.  Insert a zipper between them–any non-invisible zipper will do.

Sew a seam up the side of the zipper panel to make a tube.  Cut a circle for the base measuring 5.75″ in diameter, interface it, and insert it into the base of the tube.  Stitch with a 1/4″ seam allowance.

Turn right side out, and press if you like.

Cut another 16″ x 6″ panel for the base pouch lining and interface it.  Press one long edge under 1/2″, then stitch a seam up the short edges to make another tube.  Cut a base piece measuring 5.75″ in diameter, apply interfacing, and stitch as above.

Slip the lining inside the base pouch, wrong sides together.

Hand-stitch the lining to the zipper tape.

Cut out some Peeps, along with a piece of backing for each.  Place one end of a ribbon between the two pieces, right sides together, and stitch around the Peep, leaving an opening to turn.  Turn right side out, then stuff and hand stitch the opening closed.

Cut two half-circles using the template.  With right sides together, sew a 1/2″ seam, catching the ends of the Peeps’ ribbons between the straight sides of the half circles.  Press seam allowances open.

Cut a strip for the upper pouch lining measuring 16″ x 6″.  Sew the short ends together to make a tube.  Insert the Peep panel into the base of the tube and stitch all the way around, using a 1/4″ seam allowance.

With the Peep pouch right side out, and the outer bag inside out, place the two bags right sides together.  Sew all the way around the upper edge.  Reach into the opening you left in the side panel and pull the whole shaboozle right side out.  Top

Top stitch around the very upper edge.  Top stitch again just above the opening you left, and once more an inch below that opening.  Hand stitch the remainder of the opening closed, and thread a length of ribbon through the casing you’ve made.

Download the PDF for this project, and share yours on the Whipstitch Flickr group!