Free Jewelry Pouch Pattern
This darling drawstring jewelry pouch pattern is perfect for travel. It’s compact enough to throw in your purse or carry-on. Whatever you do, do not put it in your checked luggage when traveling on an airline — ask me how I know — I won't make that mistake again!
The pouch snugs tightly shut with pretty satin cords and keeps all of your small pieces of jewelry like earrings and rings in little pockets, while your larger pieces, necklaces and bangles fit nicely in the main compartment. I like to keep a tiny cleaning cloth inside to give my jewelry a polish when needed. And best of all, this can also be used as a very cute thread or notions holder. Make it scrappy by using fabrics from your stash!
Keep reading for everything you need to make your own cute pouch! What will you put in your pouch?
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Jewelry Pouch Pattern Materials
- Fabric and lightweight interfacing (see details below)
- Coordinating 50wt thread
- Perle cotton
- Thin satin cord - 2 pieces each measuring 38”
- Ruler
- Air and water soluble marker
- Fabric scissors
- Pinking shears (optional)
- Pins
- Sewing machine and basic sewing supplies
Jewelry Pouch Pattern Fabric Requirements
Bust out your fabric scraps to make this cute little jewelry pouch! If you don't have scraps in the right sizes, fat quarters will offer you more than enough fabric.
- Main outer circle fabric: 14" x 14" square (Evolve Cerulean by Suzy Quilts for Art Gallery Fabrics)
- Outer circle lining fabric: 14" x 14" square (Shrimpy Signature PURE Solids by Suzy Quilts)
- Main inner circle fabric: 9" x 9" square (Evolve Cerulean by Suzy Quilts for Art Gallery Fabrics)
- Inner circle lining fabric: 9" x 9" square (Shrimpy Signature PURE Solids by Suzy Quilts)
- Interfacing: (2) 1" x 1" squares
- Optional: Follow manufacturer instructions to fuse lightweight interfacing like SF101 to the wrong side of the main exterior fabric to add more structure and stability.
Step 1: Cut the Fabric
To cut the fabric for his drawstring pouch, there are two different methods to try. Because the measurements do not need to be precise, try using some household items to trace! Unlike a quilt, there are no points or seams to match up, which makes this an excellent beginner-level project with a lot of flexibility. So, try using a dinner plate, a salad plate, and a jar lid to trace around. As long as each household item is smaller than the one before it, you can still make the rest of the tutorial!
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There are three circles needed for this tutorial — a large 14" circle, a medium 9" circle, and a small 3" circle. If you'd like to be more precise, try the radius measurement method. To do that, attach a piece of sring to a pin at one end and a pencil at the other. Next, draw the circles. Use a 7" string to make the 14" circle, a 4.5" string to make the 9" circle, and a 1.5" string to make the 3" circle.
Then, use a fabric marker or pencil to mark the large circle onto the wrong side of the 14" square lining fabric. Do not cut yet. Next, fold the fabric in half and finger press a crease at each side.
Measure 1" in from the edge at each side and mark these spots. Place a 1" fusible interfacing square on both marks on the wrong side of the lining fabric and fuse in place. Using small, sharp scissors cut a little hole (approximately 1/4") over the mark. This will be the opening that the drawstrings will pass through. Using perle cotton thread, blanket stitch around this opening to prevent fraying.
Step 2: Sew the Outer Pouch Circle
Place the 14" main fabric and lining fabric right sides together and sew along the marked line for the large circle. Lower the stitch length to 2.0 and sew slowly around the curve. Next, use scissors or pinking shears to trim away excess fabric about 1/4" on the outside of the seam.
Then, fold the circle in half to find the center and carefully cut a 2 1/2" slit in the center of the lining fabric only, taking extra care not to cut into the main fabric with the scissors. Use this opening to turn the circle right side out. Press well. Do not worry about closing the opening as it will be covered up by the inner circle.
Step 3: Sew the Inner Pouch Circle
Use the fabric marker to draw around the medium circle template onto the wrong side of the 9" lining fabric. Do not cut yet.
Place the 9” square main fabric and lining fabric right sides together and repeat Step 2, sewing along the marked line. Then, trim with pinking shears 1/4" outside stitching line. Fold the circle in half to find the center. Cut a slit in the lining fabric to turn right sides out and press. Again, don't worry about closing the opening as this will be enclosed later. However, if you'd like to close the opening, fuse a scrap of lightweight interfacing over the slit as shown below.
Step 4: Mark the Pouch Pockets
Place the medium circle that was made in Step 3 right side up and position the smallest template (approximately 3" diameter circle) in the center. Using a removable ink marker, draw around this template so there's a marked circle in the center.
Next, using a ruler and a removable ink marker, draw eight spokes around this circle. It helps to think of a clock, marking lines radiating out from the center circle at 12 and 6, then 3 and 9 and then in between. These lines will create the pockets and are shown in the picture below.
Optional Step: Add Personalized Embroidery
Personalize your jewelry pouch by embroidering your name using coordinating perle cotton thread! It's best to do this in the center of the small 3" circle traced in Step 4.
Step 5: Sew the Pouch Pockets
Place the large, outer circle right side down. Lay the medium circle with the pocket markings on top, lining facing down, and centered on the outer circle. Pin in place. Stitch along the marks you made in Step 4, starting with the 3" circle and then the radiating spokes. End the spokes at the edge of the medium circle. Lower the stitch length to 2.0 and backstitch at the beginning and end of each of the spokes for added security for the pockets.
Step 6: Sew the Drawstring Channel
Next, stitch the channel where the satin cord drawstring will be placed on the large, outer circle. The first seam will be 1/4" from the edge of the circle, and the second will be 1/2" away from that. These seams can be marked using a removable ink marker, or save time by using the markings on your sewing machine to guide the pouch as you sew.
Stitch two parallel seams, all the way around, enclosing the two openings for the cord. The channel should be approx 1/2" wide for the cords to slide smoothly.
Step 7: Finish the Jewelry Pouch
Take one piece of satin cord and knot one end. Then, attach a safety pin to the knot. Insert the safety pin into one of the openings in the cord channel and use it to guide the cord all the way around, exiting the same opening that it went in. Knot the two ends together securely.
Do the same with the other piece of cord, except insert it through the opening on the opposite side and bring it out that same opening. This might take some wiggling to ensure the two cords pass smoothly over each other. Knot the ends securely together and try to get the cords placed evenly in the channel.
To open the pouch smoothly, pull on the fabric where the cords are placed. To close, pull on the cords by the knots and tie in a secure bow. This will ensure the knots don't get buried inside the channel and everything stays nice and tidy.
Where Will You Bring Your Jewelry Pouch?
Happy travels and enjoy using your jewelry pouch! Will you use it for jewelry or sewing supplies? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to use #SuzyQuiltsBlog and tag @suzyquilts on Instagram so we can see your drawstring pouches in action!
I’ve been playing around with different dice bags for my gaming group holiday gifts. I’m tired of the basic drawstring bag. I think the tiniest modification of this pattern is going to be pure perfection!
I have one of these pouches that I LOVE and have been looking for a pattern. This post is so timely! thank you. Might it be available as a download?
I’m so happy to see this pattern ! ! Years ago, (in the mid-70’s!) I was given a going away gift from a neighbor. It was this little jewelry pouch! I used it so much it quite literally fell apart. I did make a new one eventually, by taking the used one apart to use as pattern pieces, although I failed to write down instructions as I went along. I am very thankful that you have shared this little pattern. I’m certainly going to whip up some Christmas presents now ! !
Thanks for this useful pattern. Love the details!
This looks great! The ‘what do I give for Christmas’ question has been looming! Now’s the time to get-it-together! Thank you!
This is a fun pattern. Several years ago I made one for my toddler granddaughter. I used flannels for the bag and made painted peg dolls to fill each pocket. She could easily carry it with her to all those “waiting places.”
Signed up to receive the Jewelry Pouch pattern, but got the Arrow Quilt pattern instead. Can u help? TYIA!
Hi Debbie! The Bow and Arrows quilt is the free pattern you receive when you sign up for the newsletter. The jewelry pouch is only available in the blog post. Sorry for any confusion!
I too was so happy to see this, as I too have a pouch like this I received as a gift. Would love to see the pattern as a PDF download. Thanks!
Thanks for the pattern. My mom made one of these for me about thirty years ago. Now, I can make them for my nieces.