Carry your e-reader in style with this DIY stitchable cork and fabric zipper pouch!
This is a sponsored post on behalf of DMC. As always, all opinions and ideas are my own.
I am a BIG reader. I could seriously lose myself in a good book. A few years ago I tentatively asked for a Kindle for Christmas, not knowing if I would love it or hate it. You can’t beat the feel and smell of a book right? Well it turns out you can’t BUT an e-reader is the next best thing! I love being able to literally carry a library of reading material in one little electronic device! Instead of lugging a ton of books on vacation, I just load them on my Kindle. I can also bring it along on errands and waiting to pick my kids of from school – you never know when you can squeeze in some reading time!
I decided to finally make an official bag to carry my e-reader to make it easier to grab and go out the door AND have it somewhat protected. And since I plan to carry it pretty much everywhere I go, I wanted it to be cute and stylish!
And don’t miss the giveaway at the end of the post!
Supplies:
Fabric
DMC Stitchable Cork (with gold flecks-optional)
Floss
Cross-Stitch Fabric (not shown)
Zipper (not shown)
Fabric Tape (not shown)
Sewing Machine (not shown)
The stitchable cork comes in 10″x10″ sheets, plenty wide enough for an e-reader pouch. The total size of the zipper pouch will be 9″x7″ with 1/2″ seams.
To create the cork base of the zipper pouch, cut the cork into two 3 1/2″x10″ strips. Cut the outer fabric into two 5 1/2″x10″ pieces.
Place the fabric face up on your work surface. Place the cork face down along one end of the fabric. Stitch in place with the sewing machine. Repeat with the 2nd piece of fabric and cork.
Any decorations done to the zipper pouch need to be done prior to attaching the zipper.
I wanted to label the pouch so I used my Silhoutte Cameo to cut out the word “read.” To do this, place the cork face down on the cutting mat. Use the Heavy Fabric setting on the cameo and a fabric cutting blade. It cut through the cork like butter!
I attached the letters to the fabric with a little bit of fabric tape to hold them in place while I stitched around them.
I also wanted to add a little bit of decorative, but simple cross-stitch to the cork base of the pouch. To do this I used a 14-count cross-stitch fabric cut into a thin strip and pinned it to the cork. I selected for shades of blue floss that were pulled straight from the fabric pattern and created an ombre look across the cork.
To remove the cross-stitch fabric, simply pull the fibers to remove them from under the stitching. Removing all of the short fibers will allow you to easily pull out the long fiber from under the stitches.
Once done with all of the decorative elements of the pouch, it’s time to add the zipper!
Place the zipper right side up on you work surface. Place the outer fabric face down on the zipper with the top edges lined up. Pin in place.
Place the liner fabric (8″x10″) directly behind the zipper with the top edges lined up and pin in place.
Stitch along the pink line shown above (remember the 1/2″ seams!).
Repeat the previous steps to attach the other piece of outer fabric and liner fabric to the other side of the zipper.
When you open the fabric to see the zipper, both pieces of out fabric should be face up.
To stitch the pouch closed, first OPEN the zipper. Align the two outer pieces of fabric face to face and pin in place. Repeat with the liner fabric. Stitch around all of the edges but leave several inches of the base of the liner fabric open (pink line).
Us the opening in the fabric to pull the zipper pouch right side out. Stitch the hole in the liner closed.
Gently push the corners out so they are nice and square and not rounded. Do any ironing needed to smooth out the zipper pouch. A light touch with the iron will not hurt the cork.
Can you see the sparkle of the gold flecks??? I love how they catch the light!
Now I can carry my Kindle around in style!
Want to know more about the cork?
I have a fun giveaway where you have the chance to WIN DMC’s stitchable cork, mesh, leather cuffs, floss, and accessories! Simply fill out the Rafflecopter widget below. The giveaway winner will be selected August 4th.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Be sure to visit the other bloggers hosting projects for this series and their coinciding giveaways to increase your chances to win!
Monday July 24:
Flamingo Toes – project plus intro to blog hop
Tuesday July 25:
Positively Splendid – Cork Project
U Create – Mesh Project
Little Dear Tracks – Cuff Project
Wednesday July 26:
The Scrap Shoppe – Cork Project
Cutesy Crafts – Mesh Project
Random Acts of Amy – Cuff Project
Thursday July 27:
Lova Revolution – Cork Project
The Pretty Life Girls – Mesh Project
Wild Olive – Cuff Project
Don’t miss:
What a creative idea for your kindle. Its super cute. Thanks for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty
Really great project, love the combo of the cork and blue abstract pattern, gorgeous! thanks so much for sharing on craft schooling Sunday!
I had no idea you could craft with cork this way! So cool! Thanks for linking up with Merry Monday – I’ll be featuring your zippered pouches at our upcoming party. I hope you’ll stop by and link up again.
This is beautiful! I had no idea they made stitchable cork now. Definitely need to grab some of that and get creating (starting with this awesome pouch!). Thanks for the tutorial!
this would make a lovely gift and hand craft is always appreciated. Thanks for sharing with us at #overthemoon link party.
First, stitchable cork who knew! My sewing skills can charitably be described as basic so I would make something small and with straight lines lol but would love to play with this in a mixed media piece!
I am expecting my first little one in a few month and would love to create a decorative wall piece for her nursery!!
I love my Kindle…and the pouch is cute. I’ve never sewn with cork so it would be a new skill to learn. I would like to try a pencil pouch but not sure how sturdy the cork is.
I would love to make a note board for my daughter with fabric edging
Those little embroidery hoops are cute; I’d try those.
This woud be the perfect gift for my Kindle-obsessed relatives. I just hope I have the energy to make one for myself. If I were to win, I would make several of these for my family and friends. Thank you for the great idea!
I love my kindle and I love this pouch! So cute!
What a fun project! I have a new granddaughter so I think something to hold toys!
I would make a pouch similar to the one you made! Thanks for the great tutorial.
I would sew a notebook cover and pencil pouch with the stitchable cork!
Your project is so cute that it made me think how cute a clutch would be out of the cork. Thanks
I’m not really sure — I could certainly use a pounch like the one you show. Or maybe coasters or something to set baking dishes on?
What a great project! Thanks for sharing the tutorial!
I’m so glad that you did a sewing project with the cork. I was wondering if it could be sewn. And *bonus*…it can be cut with the silhouette. Thanks for this post.
Nice pouch! It looks like the cork sews well.
I am quite sure I would make a zipper pouch too! I really love yours here, the swirl splatter fabric you use is wonderful!!!
This cork looks so amazing! I love that you can cut it out with the Cameo too! Thanks for the chance to win!
I love your pouch project and want to make one for myself and another as gift. Thank you.
Ooh! I can use my Cameo to cut the cork?! I’ve got to try it. This turned out so cute!
I want to make something something from all three!
I’ve been wondering in a kindle would work for myself. I’m very particular about having a real book in my hands. Either way, this bag is cute and I might make one for my ipad!
That cork is really cool! I would love to use it to make some little hoop ornaments.
I really like the pouch. Maybe something small for coins for my kids and myself.
I have never worked with cork before-your little bag is really cute-its a do to try!
I would love to make hoop art with the stitchable cork. Your project is fantastic. Love the idea. Thank you for the tutorial, too.
I would make something to go on the wall. I like your idea.
I’m trying to imagine the texture of the cork and totally failing. I think it would end up being wall art, but I’d have to see it to be sure.
Hi Caitlyn! It looks and feels just like real cork, it is just super thin with a very fine mesh backing on it.
Does it squeak when you sew on it? Or is it so thin that it gives way easily?
No squeaking. I have one of those special feet for my sewing machine for “sticky” materials (like vinyl fabric) but was able to easily use my regular sewing foot on the cork. VERY easy to sew with.
I would try a travelers notebook!!
I would love to make a teapot sampler for my kitchen with the cork.
I would make a tote or a pouch! Such a cute idea!
I would love to embroider ribbon flowers on the cork and make a wall hanging. Thank you for this giveaway.
Especially love the letters along with the color choices,
I love this idea!! I would try making a pouch with some cork,,,cause can never have enough,,, and a hoop with the mesh!! Thanks for the chance.
I would make a cork hoop filled with bright colored flowers
I really like making bags, so I think I would use the cork fabric to sew a cute clutch!
I would make my children some doll accessories with it.
What a great idea. I just love what you have done with the stitchable cork. Everyone could use a pouch for their e-reader. Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful and fun! Would love to try the cork!
I would love to make an iPad case just like this one!!
i would love to make a makeup bag from the cork.
I want to try the cuff.
I would make personalised cup cozies.
I would make a pouch for my coupons.
Marilyn
I would love to make a pouch for my mini phone book.
Marion
I would pouch for my eyeglasses.
Joan
Love this bag for your
reader! I’d like to make
some type of tote bag.
Carla from Utah
I am so interested in this sewable cork! How great to use as pockets on a top or to incorporate in a purse.
It’s been awhile since I’ve been in the fabric section of the
stores. Have to change that. I love this cork material.
And having the gold flecks makes it more fancy.
I have made a lot of large bags that I use as a purse.
This cork would make a fantastic bag – the material
is so unique. The bag has pockets inside for my
charge card, etc. It’s large enough that I can
stuff lots of stuff in it when traveling but
compact enough for every-day use.
thanks for sharing your bag.
I would love to try making this with the cork. Thanks for the chance to win! 🙂
I have been wanting to make some new pouches and thought of using the craft Tex or some vinyl for the bottom. But I love the cork and really want to give that a try.
This is fabulous! I would love to try it.
I am on a pouch kick lately, making pouches and pencil cases for my granddaughters and all my friends, this cork will be a fun new twist for the pouches! Thanks!
This is sooooo great Michele! I love that you cut the letters with your Silhouette – I’m going to have to try that!!
Such a cute bag!
This stitchable cork looks like some fun stuff! I’d embroider a favorite Bible passage on it and hoop it for a wall-hanging in my sewing room.
I think I would do some sort of embroidery project with the cork.
I love the reading pouch. I would love to make a makeup bag and a pencil pouch for my daughter.
Cute pouch! It is fun to see how the cork is being used. Thanks!