I don’t buy many sewing books frankly because there is just so much material out there on the internet that I don’t need the extra inspiration. It’s also because I usually want to make one specific item that’s caught my fancy and I will happily buy the PDF pattern from the designer.  But I made an exception for Aneela Hoey’s Stitched Sewing Organisers.

I’d had just made her Project Caddy…

…and found the pattern well written (although she has now withdrawn that pattern, perhaps to put in book 2!). And the cover project of the Fold Up Sewing Folio appealed. I wanted to make a couple of sewing gifts for people and this seemed a practical but not too time consuming project. There are also other things in the book such as her project trays that I’d like to make. I bought the Kindle version and obviously there are no paper patterns but you click through to a website and print them off. Easy and straightforward and not cluttering up the bookcase.

It’s a great design but the one thing I didn’t like was the flap that holds down the outer cover as you fold it over. I swapped it out for a button. It does mean the reverse pocket has less space but I prefer the look. It did mean having to remind myself how to do button holes but they are soooo easy and after a few try outs it worked perfectly on the folio.

I love the use of the vinyl and clever pockets. I’d swap out the open pockets under the pincushion for another zipped one if I were clever enough! I like containment and no prospect of things falling out. Another change I made was inadvertently cutting that right hand pouch from the contrast fabric and not the lining fabric but it looks good.

The outer fabric is from the The Rifle Paper Co’s new Menagerie range. The pictures don’t do it justice. The bright yellow is a lovely metallic gold and it looks luxurious, perfect for a design like this. The inside is Maker Maker by Helen Golden. If I’d been really clever and/or lucky the word ‘maker’ would have stood out more.

When I asked my daughter’s view on this new sewing pouch she waved round the sewing room and said quite correctly you’ve already got so many.  Just as well it’s a gift then….

Linking up with Lorna for Let’s Be Social and Amanda Jean Crazy Mom Quilts