You don't have to own a sewing machine, or even know how to sew to make this cute little tissue pouch. I first saw this "Hankie Holder" on
http://www.MarthaStewart.com and then I tweaked Martha's a bit to fit my travel size pouch of tissues. Keep in mind if you visit her website, that Martha Stewart's "Hankie Holder" looks perfect, and Jana's "Tissue Pouch" looks handmade : )
This is a great back-to-school project for the kids. Felt is fun and comes in lots of colors
http://HobbyLobby.com has felt in happy prints. Felt also lends itself well to hand sewing. You can get as creative as you want with this, or keep it basic and simple and knock a few out the night before school starts! So let's get started.
Here's what you need:
- 1 piece of felt
- Thread or embroidery floss
- Sewing needle with an eye large enough for thread or embroidery floss
- Pins (optional)
- Ruler
- Pinking shears
- Travel size tissues
Next you're going to measure and mark out a 6 1/2 inch by 6 1/2 inch square on the side of the felt that will be on the inside of the tissue pouch and never be seen. With the printed felt I used, the reverse side was blank - which made it easy. Then cut it out using your pinking shears.
Now give a quick check to make sure it all fits. Set your tissue pack in the center of the felt piece you measured and cut, fold the edges up like you were wrapping a gift. The edges should just meet on the top, and there should be enough felt left over on the sides to sew them together.
Take your tissue pack off, grab your ruler and mark the center of your square. The center should be around 3 1/4 inches if you are using my suggested measurements (Don't be afraid to alter the measurements for other brands of travel size tissues).
Now fold the edges of your felt in to your center mark. You can pin them in place, use paper clips, or wing it. Just try to keep them lined up and even while you're sewing.
Ok, it's time to thread your needle. I used 3 strands from 6 strand embroidery floss in a color that coordinated with the print on the felt. You can use regular thread if you like, if that's all you have around the house - it just may not show as much. After you've threaded your needle, tie a knot at the end of your thread. I started my running stitch from the inside, but you don't have to, you can start from underneath if you like.
Your running stitch should look something like this...
And when you're finished, tie off your thread, snip the excess thread and your pouch should look something like this...
Next, you insert the pack of travel size tissues into the hand sewn felt pouch you just made, pull a tissue up, and you're good to go!
This is a quick, easy project your kids will love. The materials are inexpensive and the finished project is cute and useful. Your kids could even make this with just a little help from you (ie, needles and pinking sheers). I'm no seamstress, so if you're even remotely good at sewing you could make one of these hand sewn travel size tissue pouches that looks more like Martha Stewart's than mine!
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Many Blessings,
Jana : )
