Isn’t this the most adorable little pouch you’ve ever seen?! This earbud pattern is super simple and really straightforward to make.
But more importantly, it’s an orange! And it’s so cute!!
I recently moved and while my house was in complete chaos (so many boxes), I kept losing my earbuds. Seriously, it was so hard to keep track of them.
When I finally got my Bernina back out of its box, I knew there was one thing I needed to make.. a zippered pouch to help me not lose my earbuds again.
And because we moved to sunny California, I wanted to make it into a little orange (okay it’s probably more the size of a mandarin, but that’s besides the point).
So let’s get started on this cute pouch, and feel free to make it into any fruit you’d like (apples, lemons, peaches, the options are endless!)
NOTES:
- The final size with be a 3” circle.
- RST = Right Sides Together
- Seam allowance is .25”
- Read through all of the directions before beginning
Supplies Needed
- (2) 3.5” circles of Outside Fabric (or download THIS TEMPLATE to make things even easier!)
- (2) 3.5” circles of Lining Fabric
- (2) 3” circles of iron-on felt (or stiff interfacing)
- (3) 1.75” x 5.5” rectangles of Outside Fabric
- (3) 1.75” x 5.5” rectangles of Lining Fabric
- (1) 1.25” x 5” rectangle of iron-on felt (or stiff interfacing)
- (1) 5.5” length of standard zipper
- Scrap fabric (I used the same as the lining) for the leaf and loop.
- About 5” x 5” square of Decovil or iron-on interfacing that is very stiff for the leaf and loop
- (1) Keychain Ring
- Elmers glue for basting the zipper
Cutting the Fabric
You can grab a cup or small bowl from your kitchen that measures 3.5″ across for the circles, or download THIS TEMPLATE to make things even easier!
I also usually starch and iron my fabrics prior to cutting.
Preparing the Fabric Pieces
Iron the Iron-on Felt to the wrong side of both 3.5” circles of Outside Fabric. Repeat with one 1.75” rectangle of outside fabric.
I love the look of quilting (I am a quilter after all) so I quilted my outside fabric squares (with the iron-on felt on the back). I did 1.75” squares in a contrasting thread.
Once that is complete, we’re ready to make the lining!
Making the Lining of the Earbud Pouch Pattern
This lining is like a mini pouch itself, and really good to start with to practice tight curves.
Iron two of the 1.75” x 5.5” rectangles of Outside and Lining Fabric in half lengthwise.
The Outside fabric ones will be sewn to the zipper, however the lining rectangles will form a long narrow opening to accommodate for the zipper.
Sew RST one Lining fabric 1.75” x 5.5” to the two folded rectangles on both ends. The folds of the rectangles will touch each other.
Now for the fun part! Pin RST one of the 3.5” Lining circles to the perimeter of the rectangle unit (it will look like a circle) that you made in the previous step (see pictures).
Try not to stretch the fabric, and if you need to, you can make very small cuts around the perimeter of the circle to assist with matching the edges.
Sew around the circle using a .25” circle, making sure to go slow and stopping to readjust as necessary.
Repeat with the second lining circle, it will be right sides in, all of the lining should be wrong side out as you sew.
Trim the edges to be even and that is it for the lining! Easy peasy right? And if there were a few tucks or wrinkles, that’s okay, it’s the lining.
Sewing the Zipper of the Earbud Pouch
I lied.. this is where it gets really fun! I used to hate zippers until I learned some easier methods to sewing them, and I haven’t looked back since!
Lay your zipper flat, right side up on an ironing board. Squeeze a thin line of glue down one side of the zipper about .25” from the edge of the zipper.
Press one of the ironed 5.5” rectangles onto the zipper, making sure the fold of the rectangle lands right about in the middle of the zipper.
Press with an iron, drying the glue (and making your life so much easier). If you don’t have glue, you can use super wide basting stitches as well.
Repeat on the opposite side of the zipper, pressing another folded rectangle over the zipper with the folds meeting over the top of the zipper.
Install your zipper foot and stitch about .15” from the edge of the zipper teeth (or as close/far as you want, this is your pouch!).
Repeat on the opposite side, stopping at the zipper pull, lowering the needle, lifting the foot, moving the zipper behind the foot, lowering the foot and continuing to sew.
In the end there will be a 5.5” rectangle with a zipper and two folded rectangles. Trim any uneven edges.
Making the Outside of the Zipper Pouch
We’re in the home stretch! Sew down both short ends of one 1.75” x 5.5” rectangle of Outside Fabric and the zipper rectangle (that we just sewed in the last few steps) RST.
Iron the seams flat, it will make a circle (see your you’ve done this before with the lining! You’re a pro now).
Pin the long rectangle circle RST to one of the quilted Outside Fabric 3.5” circles. Cutting around the perimeter as needed (small cuts, not big!).
Say a little prayer in heart and let’s sew this! It can be challenging as this is bulkier than the lining, but try to sew with a consistent seam allowance around the perimeter of the 3.5″ circle.
Trim off any excess threads and fabric.
Making the Leaf and Loop for the Zipper Pouch
Probably the cutest little addition to this earbud pouch is this cute leaf! And feel free to add more, less or something completely different.
I cut out a leaf shape from the decovil and narrow rectangle about 3.25” long and 3/8” wide.
Iron this to the wrong side of your leaf and loop fabric. Fold over the fabric to sandwich the decovil. Mark the edges of the leaf/rectangle with a disappearing ink/pencil.
I used a narrow zig zag stitch around the perimeter of the leaf and down one side of the long loop rectangle. Trim any excess fabric.
Finishing the Earbud Pouch Pattern
Pin or clip the half-assembled pouch to the second Outside Fabric 3.5” circle, RST.
At the top of the zipper, put the leaf and loop (folded in half over onto itself) ends so the leaf and loop ends are sticking out (the leaf and loop will be in the pouch).
Note, I forgot this step on the second pouch I made, so I sewed around the perimeter and then had to unpick a spot to put the leaves and loop.
Sew around the edges of the circle and pouch, going slow and trying to get an even curve. When you approach the leaf and loop go slow and reverse stitch over it to make it extra secure.
Keep your pouch wrong side out.
Attaching the Lining to the Earphone Case
Flip the lining so its right side out, put the lining over the outside pouch so that the opening aligns with the zipper.
Hand sew the lining to the zipper edge, not too close otherwise the zipper will get caught in the lining fabric.
Once the lining is secured, the earbud pouch is done!! Flip it right sides out and behold the cutest little pouch you’ve ever seen.
Attach a keyring to the loop and grab your earbuds. Thanks for joining me for this pattern, I had a blast making it and I know you will too!
OPTIONAL
Feel free to customize this pouch! For the first one I added a small pocket to the inside by sewing some narrow double bias tape to the edge of a small piece of fabric (bigger than the 3.5″ circle).
Lay it over one of the lining 3.5” circles with the bias tape at around half of the circle and baste stitch around the edges. This will create a little pouch when it’s attached to the rest of the lining pieces.
Also feel free to use ribbon, string, etc. for the loop. The options are endless!
Where do I download the template? I have clicked on “THIS TEMPLATE” in the supply list, filled in my email address but I am unable to receive a download? What am I missing?
Sometimes the emails get filtered out, I just emailed it over for you 🙂
Could you email it too me too please? [email protected]
I’d like to know what Bernina feet you used. What numbers are the zipper and clear foot? Thanks!
Of course! For some reason it didn’t save them earlier – I used 14D Zipper Foot with Guide and 34D (not sure what that one is called) which I use 95% of the time I’m sewing. I hope that helps!