Sometimes we need a case to hold things. It’s a fact.  In my..case…I just bought a non-diaper bag that looks great but doesn’t have compartments inside for things I need for my two year old.  One of the things it’s missing? Pockets to hold diapers.  If diapers aren’t contained they unfold, get in the way and accumulate enough JUNK on them that one would never want to place them against one’s child’s skin.  SO, I made a case for the diapers.  Your case can hold anything, just take the basic – ridiculously easy – principle and adjust it to fit your needs.

If you are going to try and follow these instructions you have to free your mind from the constrictions of patterns — I don’t do patterns.  Just grab your materials and lets get going!

The first step to SO many of my projects is to pin around your “filler” object. To do this lay your fabric out RIGHT SIDE UP – this means you want to see the side of the fabric you want showing when the project is complete. In my case, the green pattern.  Now, place your “filler item” (2 diapers in this case) fold the fabric to the top of the item the pin down the sides.  This creates a pouch.  Here, I pinned a hem across the top of the pouch for a clean edge once it is turned right side out.  I left enough fabric at the top of the pouch to create a flap closure later on.

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I chose an accent fabric in a different pattern as a liner for the inside of the flap so when the case it open it doesn’t show the stitching and the wrong side of the main fabric.  After I cut the green fabric to the size I wanted for the flap I pinned a piece of accent pattern from the top of the flap to halfway down the pouch.  This way, when the seams are sewn the liner will be sewn directly into the main fabric seams.

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Now, using a tight in and out stitch,  sew from a bottom corner up the side to the top of the pouch hem.  Don’t sew any higher yet or the flap will not work properly.  Then sew along them pouch hem BE CAREFUL THAT YOU DO NOT SEW THE HEM TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE POUCH – YOU WILL SEW IT CLOSED – just sew along the fold.  Once you have sewn the length of the hem, sew down the other side to the bottom corner until you hit the bottom pouch fold.  Tie off your stitch.

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Now that the pocket is sewn, work on the flap.  Fold the liner fabric away from the main (outer) fabric flap.  Fold in the corners and top seam as though you are wrapping a gift (as seen in the picture at left) Pin down.  I like to use a thin line of washable fabric glue to keep these pieces secure with clean folds until I complete the sewing.

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The “right side” of the flap in the pinning stages.  This is what will show on the outside when the project is complete.

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Now fold the liner fabric so it matches the lines of the main fabric.  Fold the seams inward so when the liner and main fabrics are stitched together the folds and seams are hidden.  Pin to secure.  The section of liner that extends past the fold of the flap should already be sewn into the seams of the pouch. Just continue the seam with a tight, even in and out stitch.

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When all seams are complete, turn the pouch inside out so the right side of the fabric is showing and the seams are hidden inside.  This is what it should look like.

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If you need to make sure the pouch stays closed stitch in a snap, some velcro or a magnet closure.  When you are sewing the flap closure make sure you only stitch into the liner and not through both layers of fabric, you don’t want your stitches showing on the outside of the flap.

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Here is my finished project!  I have been using it non-stop and I am incredibly pleased with the result.  Give it a shot on your own.  I know my methods are unconventional but they are effective!

I used the same basic technique to create a lined laptop case and will soon be sewing a lined sunglass bag.  Keep checking in if you’re interested in the how-to on either of those projects…coming soon!