Guy Gift

Considering all the encouragement and help I get from hubby in support of my crafting, I sure haven't sewn for him much. Sad but true. I've made him just one quilt to call his very own, and the only other time I can think of is when he requested a case for his sunglasses. Pitiful, right? So when it became apparent that he needed a new travel bag [aka dopp kit], I decided to try my hand at making one. I settled on the Boxy Pouch tutorial from Pink Stitches. She gave the dimensions for a 'larger sized pouch' which proved to be just what I was looking for. [Note to self, I used the measurements given for the larger pouch, cutting the corner squares at 1.75".]



On a trusted recommendation, I had ordered a yard of 10-ounce Hand Waxed Cotton Canvas from A. L. Frances Textiles on etsy, which just so happened to come 60" wide - more than generous for my need, but I'm hoping to continue to dabble with the canvas, making a few more items.



As I do when trying something I'm not familiar with, I went slowly, step by step. Due to the heavy and stiff nature of the waxed cotton, I left out the suggested batting and quilting, and that was a fine (and pretty obvious) decision. Otherwise the construction was relatively straight-forward, tho I did use a jean needle with heavy duty thread threaded in my machine and 50wt in the bobbin, and that combo worked like a charm.

Already, the pouch has a 'used' look. That happens naturally as it is handled, and just adds to its appeal. It took unzipping it and seeing the lining before it dawned on hubby that his new bag was handmade. When I just asked him what I could say about what he thought about the bag I made him, he said simply, "I like it!" I'll take it.