Morris Charm - FREE Earbud Pouch Sewing Pattern

 

Ever notice that sewing something to use up fabric scraps, just leads to smaller scraps?! I've been think of the Mini Morris Tote as a great scrap busting project, but after spending many weeks sewing nothing but Morris Totes I'm just left with smaller scraps. So, I challenged myself to come up with an even smaller project to use up some of the beautiful scraps I can't bring myself to part with. Today we'll go step by step through sewing a quilted earbud bag charm. It's a cute, beginner friendly project that's a great way to learn a few new sewing skills and use up even the tiniest scraps. The seam finish and construction method is similar to the Morris Totes, so I'm calling this the Morris Charm. 

The Morris Charm has a slip in opening (no hardware necessary) that is just big enough to slide in a headphones case and just snug enough to keep them secure. All of the edges and seams are finished with fabric binding. You can attach it to any bag with the simple hanging loop. 

Let's talk about fabric. Any light weight woven fabric will work. I used scraps of a light weight cotton for the main and backing fabric and quilted it together with a single layer of low loft cotton quilt batting. If you don't have batting, don't buy it for this project. You could substitute a couple layers of flannel, or a scrap of sweatshirt fleece. Anything that will give the fabric a bit of body and doesn't have much stretch. 

Free Pouch Sewing Pattern Video Tutorial

You can watch the full Morris Charm video tutorial on the Wholecloth Patterns Youtube channel. Or follow the instructions below. 

Earbud Bag Charm Sewing Pattern Instructions

To sew the FREE Morris Charm you will need: 

- 20" (51cm) piece of 1/2" (1.3cm) double fold straight grain binding. Make your own with this tutorial.

- 1"x 9" (2.5 x 23cm) rectangle of light weight woven fabric

-  4 1/4" x 7" (11.5 x 17.8cm) rectangle of quilted fabric. You can use pre-quilted fabric, repurpose an old quilt, or make your own with this tutorial.

1. We'll begin by preparing the hanging loop. Fold the strip of fabric in half lengthwise with right sides together, and press the fold into the fabric. Open the fabric back up, and fold each edge, toward the wrong side, so the long edge just touches the first fold. Press these folds into the fabric. Refold the strip along the pressed folds. 

2. Sew the hanging loop closed with a line of stitching about 1/8" from the open edge of the hanging loop. It can be tricky to get this narrow strip to travel smoothly through your sewing machine. My solution is to position the strip over one set of feed dogs, and moved the needle over to the desired position. 

3. Next we will bind the short edges of the quilted fabric. Cut a strip of the binding that is slightly longer than the short edge of the quilted body. Open up one side of the binding. With right sides together align the edge of the binding with the short quilted edge. Pin in place. Sew along this edge, using a scant 1/2" seam allowance. 

4. Press the binding away from the quilted fabric, be careful not to disturb the other binding folds. 

5. All the binding to fold over the edge of the quilted fabric. Position the back fold of the binding so that it just covers the previous line of stitching. Pin in place. 

5. With the right side facing up, topstitch on the binding, about 1/8" from the seam. 

6. Trim the binding so it is even with the edges of the quilted piece. Repeat the binding steps with the other short edge. 

7. Find the center point of the long edges. Fold the piece in half lining up the bound edges. Part the center with a pin at each side. 

8 Attach the hanging loop. Fold the hanging loop loosely in half. Center the ends along one long edge, aligning the ends with the edged of the quilted piece. The pin marking the center point should be between the two ends, as shown. 

9. Shape the pouch. Position the quilted piece with the right side facing up, and the hanging loop along the upper edge. Fold the right edge, so right sides are touching, and the binding edge is centered on the pin. Pin or clip in place along the upper edge. 

10. Fold the left edge, so right sides are touching, and the inner edge of the right binding aligns with the inner edge of the left  binding, as shown. Pin or clip in place. At this point you can pause and baste this edge together.

11. Attach the seam binding. Cut a piece of binding that is 2 inches longer than the edge of the pouch. Open one side of the binding and align the raw edge with the edge of the pouch, with an even amount of overhang at each end. Sew a scant 1/2" seam.

12. Press the binding away from the pouch, being careful not to disturb the other folds in the binding. Turn the pouch over so the back is facing up. Fold the over hanging ends of the binding around to the back of the pouch. 

13.  Refold the binding so that it wraps around the raw edge of the pouch. Adjust the binding so that it cover the previous line of stitching. Pin or clip in place. With the right side facing up, topstitch alone the binding about 1/8" from the seam. 

14. Position the end of the hanging loop so that it is stitch out of the opening. (This hold the loop out of the way when sewing the next seam.) Repeat the steps to bind the other pouch edge. 

15. All that's left to do it turn it right side out, poke out the corners and give it a good press. 

17. Done! Share your pouch on instagram with #wholeclothmorris.

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Wholecloth Morris Tote Video Sewalong

The video sewalong for the Morris Tote sewing pattern is now available on the Wholecloth Patterns Youtube channel. These video sewing instructions cover every step of making both sizes of the Morris Tote quilted tote bag. You can use this tutorial to sew either the full sized or Mini Morris Totes, and you can easily add the extra features of the full sized Morris to the Mini. 

I'm calling the Morris Tote an advanced beginner sewing pattern, because of the precision needed to attach the binding, and the thickness of the quilted seams. Don't be daunted, it only takes a little practice to master these techniques. My goal with the video sewalong is to make sewing your own Morris accessible to very beginner sewists. I will demonstrate the most full proof way to attach the binding, and give you my tips for mastering bulky seams. (Spoiler alert: the only real trick is to sew slowly!)

The video instructions are available to everyone, but you'll need a copy of the sewing pattern to make the Morris Totes. The patterns are available separately, or in a discounted bundle.

Basic Sewing Skill Tutorials for Making the Morris Totes.

The Wholecloth Patterns Youtube channel is filling up with video tutorials for basic bag making skills. All of these are valuable skills for your sewing arsenal, and the perfect place to start if you're a beginner.  Here are the techniques we'll use when making the Morris Tote:

• How-to Make Your Own Straight Grain Binding 
• How-to install Heavy Duty Snap
• How-to Sew an Adjustable Bag Strap
• How-to Quilt Fabric for Bag Making

Fabrics & Supplies Used in the Morris Tote Sewalong.

Main & Backing Fabric: Light Weight Denim 

Quilt Batting: Warm and Natural Cotton Batting

Claw Clips: 1" Swivel Claw Clasps

Length Adjuster: 1" Triglide Slider

D-rings: 1/2" Metal D-ring

Snaps: Dritz 5/8" Heavy Duty Snaps (buy a kit with the installation tool if you don't already have one)

Watch the Morris Tote Sewalong Video.

Watch the full Morris Tote tutorial or hop around the video using the time stamps in the text below the video. Use them to rewatch the parts you need, and skip the parts you don't. Of course, please like and subscribe if you find the information helpful! 

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Learn how to make your own quilt binding to use on this cute quilted bag.

Now that the full size Morris Tote sewing pattern has launched (the big brother of the Mini Morris Tote with a few added features #wholeclothmorris) and the sewalong video tutorial is live, I thought it would be a good time to add to the catalog of skill building videos on the Wholecloth Patterns Youtube channel.  If you're a beginner sewer these short videos will help you learn individual sewing techniques that are used to sew garments, quilts, and most especially bags. 

Both Wholecloth Morris Totes use double fold, straight grain binding to finish the quilted edges and the seams. This is a classic quilt finishing technique that seemed fitting to use for this quilted bag style. Straight grain binding is simple, sturdy, and as well suited to bag sewing as it is to quilt making. For this design I use double fold straight grain binding because the second fold makes it easier to adjust along the back side of the fabric when you're covering multiple layers of thick quilted fabric. I'm reining in my inner maximalist by using light weight denim for the tutorial because it's easy for the viewer to see the difference between the right side and the wrong side of the fabric. Please let your inner maximalist fly free, the binding is a great opportunity to mix prints, use up scraps and add subtle detail to this simple bag. Check out #wholeclothmorris on Instagram for more binding inspiration, and please share your finished bags there. I would love to see them! 

Bias Binding vs. Straight Grain Binding

Both bias cut and straight grain binding look more or less the same, but they have one key difference that determines which one to use for your project. Straight grain binding, as the name suggests is cut along the grain of the fabric, as in the fibers that run the length and width of the fabric. It is very strong, stable, and has no stretch. It lends itself to finishing long straight edges like quilts or rectangular bags, and will create an even line along the edge of your project. Bias binding, also as the name suggests, is cut on the bias of the fabric, meaning it is cut at a 45 degree angle to the grain. This creates a very flexible binding that has quite a bit of stretch. It lends itself to finishing curved edges of garments or bags. The stretch allows it to hug curves without bunching, but can result in a small amount of inconsistency in the width as you push and pull it around curves. Bias binding is used to finish the interior seams for the Wholecloth Fairmount Bag, and you can find my video tutorial for making it on Youtube. 

A full How-to Make Your Own Double Fold Straight Grain Binding video tutorial (perfect for learning how to make your own quilt binding too!) is on the Wholecloth Patterns Youtube channel now. Or check out the cliff notes below.

How-to Make Your Own Straight Grain Binding

Supplies to Make Fabric Binding

To made the double fold, straight grain fabric binding you will need some light weight woven fabric, a ruler, tailor's chalk, scissors and an iron. You will want to use a woven fabric like cotton or linen that is easy to work with and holds creases when it is ironed. 

1. Find the grain of your fabric. 

The fabric grain runs parallel to the selvedge edge of the fabric. If you're cutting on the grain make a fold parallel to the selvedge (and the threads that run along the length of the fabric) and is at least 1" deep. Here I'm cutting my binding across the grain, which also works for straight grain binding. Make sure the fold is perpendicular to the grain (which will be parallel to the threads that run across the fabric) so it doesn't stretch, and is at least 1" deep. Press the fold to make a crease. 

2. Mark the fabric.

Use chalk to mark a line 1" from the fold the whole length of the fabric. The binding will have a finished width of 1/2". If you'd like yours to be a different width you can easily double your desired finished measurement. 

3. Cut.

Cut along the line you've just made. You now have a 1" folded strip of fabric.

4. Join strips for longer binding.

If your binding isn't long enough you can join two pieces together. With the folds opened up so the fabric is flat, and right sides together overlap the ends of the strips so they form a 90 degree angle. The strips form a square where they overlap. Sew diagonally across this square connecting the outer corners of the square as shown in the picture above. 

5. Grade the seam.

Trim the seam allowance to 1/4", press the seam allowance to one side. Refold the joined strips along the center crease. 

6. Fold one side. 

Open the folded strip. Fold one long edge toward the wrong side so that it is just shy of the center fold. Press this new fold into the length of the fabric. Be careful not to disturb the center crease. 

7. Fold other side. 

Repeat the previous step with the other long edge. Again, be careful not to disturb the center crease.

8. It should look like this. 

You now have a strip of fabric with 2 outer folds and the center crease. 

9. Final press. 

Refold the strip along the center crease and give the binding a final press so that it holds it shape when you're working with it. 

You're finished and all set to sew your own Morris Totes!

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New! Wholecloth Morris Tote Sewing Pattern

The Morris Tote is the quilted version of a classic tote bag. It's a medium sized bag that can carry all of your daytime essentials. The quilted body gives the Morris a soft structure and the quilted front and interior pockets are folded to show off the backing fabrics. All of the edges and seams are finished with binding, creating another opportunity to mix prints or highlight a special fabric. The Morris has a snap closure, short handles and a long adjustable shoulder strap. 

There are two options for approaching the Morris Tote. Option 1 is a fully custom bag. The body and pockets are self-quilted, the straps and handle are made with fabric, and the binding is self-made. Option 2 is the quick sew version of the bag. The body and pockets are made with pre-quilted fabric, the strap and handles are cotton webbing, and the binding is ready made. 

The expanded features of this full-sized Morris Tote are designed to be easily transferred to its little sister, the Mini Morris. You can easily add the snap closure, and shoulder strap to the Mini, or omit them to make the full-sized Morris match your Mini. 

The sewing pattern includes:

- clear step by step illustrated instructions

- dimensions to draft your own pattern pieces or cut the pieces directly from fabric

- instructions to make coordinating binding and handles, or substitute ready-made

- instructions to quilt your own fabric, or substitute pre-quilted

- dimensions in inches and centimeters

- full video tutorial for sewing the Morris (coming to Youtube next week!)

Finished bag dimensions: 10 x 13 x 4 in (25.4 x 33 x 10.2 cm)

(Pssst...the discount code works on the mini and the full-sized Morris, might as well get both!)

Supplies: 

The Morris Tote is made with 2 layers of light weight woven fabric quilted together with a single layer of low loft quilt batting. Here I'm using a 4oz denim as both main and backing fabric, but you can use any light weight fabric, or piece a few together for a more colorful tote. The handles and strap can are designed to me made from the same fabric as the body, with the addition of some medium weight fusible interfacing.  For a speedier sew, you can easily substitute pre-quilted fabric, 1 1/2" webbing for the handles, 1" webbing for the strap and use ready made binding for a faster sew. The Morris (and Mini Morris) are great without the hardware, but for a more versatile tote the full-sized Morris has the options of an adjustable strap and snap closure. For these features you'll need (1) 5/8"(16mm) heavy duty snap, (2) 1" (2.5cm) swivel clasps, (2) 1/2" (12mm) D rings, and a [1] 1"(2.5cm) length adjuster. 

Difficulty: 

The Morris Tote is a good fit for advanced beginner sewists. It involves binding multiple layers of fabric that can take a little bit of practice to get a neat finish. If you're familiar with the process of binding seams for quilts or garments this pattern will be a piece of cake. A determined sewist with a few patterns under their belt can always take it one step at a time. Anyone with a pile of beautiful garments scraps that deserve to be celebrated can make the Morris Tote their own. 

Sewalong: 

I'm planning a full video sewalong making the Morris Tote from start to finish. (It's nearly finished, hoping to have it out next week!) The sewalong will make this pattern more accessible to less experienced sewists. Sign up for the newsletter to be notified of the final release date of the sewalong. Or subscribe to the Wholecloth Patterns Youtube channel.

The Morris Tote sewing pattern is 20% off until Thursday, February 27, 2025. 

Use the code MORRIS20 at checkout. 

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New Wholecloth Patterns Mini Morris Tote Sewing Pattern

The new

Quilted Morris Mini Tote

sewing pattern is available in the shop!

The Quilted Morris Mini Tote is the tiny version of a classic tote bag. The quilted body gives the Morris a soft structure and the front and interior pockets are quilted and folded to show off the fabrics on both sides. All of the edges and seams are finished with binding, creating another opportunity to mix prints or highlight a special fabric. 

The sewing pattern includes:

- clear step by step illustrated instructions

- dimensions to draft you own pattern pieces or cut the pieces directly from fabric

- instructions to make coordinating bias binding and handles, or substitute ready-made

- instructions to quilt your own fabric, or substitute pre-quilted

- dimensions in inches and centimeters

Finished bag dimensions: 9 x 7 x 4 in (22.1 x 17.8 x 10.2 cm)

Get the pattern:

Exterior: The front of the Morris Tote has a quilted open pocket with a folded cuff to show off the backing fabric. The pattern includes instructions for binding all of the bag edges and making crisp mitered corners on the pocket. Vertical lines of quilting add soft structure to the Morris allowing the bag to stand up on its flat 4" bottom. 

Interior: The interior has a quilted open pocket, and all of the seams and edges are finished with straight grain binding. 

Supplies: 

The entire bag can be made from woven fabric and a little bit of low loft quilt batting. There are no special zippers or hardware. My goal was to design a bag you could sew in a hurry with fabric from you stash. You can easily substitute pre-quilted fabric, 1" webbing for the handles and use ready made binding. 

Difficulty: 

The Morris Tote is a good fit for advanced beginner sewists. It involves binding multiple layers of fabric that can take a little bit of practice to get a neat finish. If you're familiar with the process of binding seams for quilts or garments this pattern will be a piece of cake. A determined sewist with a few patterns under their belt can always take it one step at a time. 

Sewalong: 

I'm planning a full video sewalong making the Morris Tote from start to finish. The sewalong will make this pattern more accessible to less experienced sewists. Sign up for the newsletter to be notified of the final dates for the sewalong. Or subscribe to the Wholecloth Patterns Youtube channel.

The Morris Tote sewing pattern is 30% off until Monday, December 2, 2024. No code necessary.

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