Experimenting with flex frames for pouches

 Summer time away from tutoring means I can spend time just playing with the sewing machine & trying out things I have had in my mind. 

I did some book bags from my Making Zen workshops in May & I loved the fabric combinations of the peacocks & blue roses, with a pale green fabric lining as well as the script fabric that is a favourite. 

I looked at the fabric bits this morning & remembered buying some flex frames some months back that I thought would be useful in little fabric purses or pouches. 

Mine were from Ebay, sold as 'metal internal flex frames' & are available in various sizes. These are about 3.5 inches long. 

Because I had not used them before I had to make it up as I went along. 

I cut 2 peacock  sides, 2 thin green lining sides, 2 script pieces to use as the channel for the flexes. 

I hemmed the 2 script pieces on the sides so the sliders would glide through, 

I assembled it ready to sew - the peacock fabric right sides up, then the narrow script channel laid on top of the first fabric, then the lining & sewed through the 3 pieces along the top. I did both sets of 3 pieces. 

I opened it up, lining up the peacock fabrics with the lining together, & the channel pieces were to the patterned side, away from the side stitching. 

I started on the bottom of the lining, leaving about 1.5 inches to turn it all through. I stitched all the way around, ending again at the bottom but leaving the opening space. 

I turned it through the opening, ironed it flat then I machine stitched the lining space because this was a test one. 

 I inserted the flex frame & had to bend the little metal part over the base to hold the pin in place. 

To improve on,  I would make the channel thinner & narrower. The channel fabric words were upside down - something to be aware of next time. 

An interesting learning curve as I have made little pouches with a channel but put in string so this is something I will try again (I also have another 9 flex frames in the pack so that might inspire me)

Is this something you have used? What tips can you share? 

Thank you for stopping by, you are always most welcome to share & comment. 

Dee 🧵🪡📍