0
46 In Blog post/ Tutorial

Making a Wildlife Pouch – Tutorial

This tutorial and all its templates is now available as a FREE download in my Pattern Studio. Click here to access the necessary files.

This may not be the prettiest post I have ever written but I really hope it becomes one of my most important. Actually who am I kidding – with all the sweet little faces I have to share this will no doubt be one of the pretties AND cutest!

Right now as Australia heads into Summer we are already burning. Massive and devastating fires and wreaking havoc across the continent and while the human death toll will hopefully be minimal there is no doubt the impact it will have on our native wildlife will be monumental and horrifying. While the rest of the country waits and watches for this current batch of fires to be brought under control a large movement has started to arise to help the amazing wildlife carers who will take in and care for our most vulnerable animals over the current months. Many wish we could be there to help, most of us understand that thoughts and prayers will be the least helpful suggestion so groups are mobilising in an amazing way. I am always impressed at how some humans can just leap into action and help with little thought to  time and cost involved, if only more were like them.


While I was trying to work out my own way to get involved I stumbled across a brilliant Facebook group called the Animal Rescue Craft Guild who had immediately leapt into action and put out call out for wildlife pouches, koala mittens and bat wraps. The group started to grow exponentially with both inexperienced and experienced sewers offering their help in any way they could. I myself went looking for a pattern and, upon finding many written tutorials, realised the best way I could support was to offer printable templates and a simple tutorial for the wildlife pouches that any beginner could easily follow. The wonderful admins Joni and Avalon offered their experience to help me make sure the pouches would fit the needs of the carers and animals.

I have decided to put it up on the blog so it can reach more people who want to sew can. These pouches arent hard to make at all and it would be easy to knock a few off in an hour or so. I am sure that any little amount people can squeeze in will help.

Wildlife Pouch Tutorial

DOWNLOAD TUTORIAL AND TEMPLATES HERE

A huge thank you to Riley Blake Designs for providing me with the PERFECT flannelette for this project. It could not have been made in anything other than Joey by Deena Rutter.

Fabric Requirements:

Fabric Notes:

Liners should be 100% natural fibres – no polyester, synthetics or fabrics that have plastic or glitter. Breathability and softness are the priority. Flannelette, light cotton or jersey is recommended. NO WOOL PLEASE.

Outer pouches can be anything from light fabrics for summer to warmer fleeces and wool for winter. Fabric pouches rather than crochet/knit pouches are preferred.

Instructions:

Select and Print Templates

For ease of printing there are 3 separate PDFS attached to this pattern to account for different size pouches. Select your required size according to the template images and then follow the instructions below to print. You can download each template for printing below.

PLEASE NOTE: ALL MY TEMPLATES HAVE A SEAM ALLOWANCE INCLUDED. YOU DO NOT NEED TO ADD THIS!

Templates for XXS – Medium Pouches

Templates for Medium to Large Pouches

Templates for Large to XX Large Pouches

  • Open the selected PDF template and print, setting the print scale at 100% and making sure the box “Scale to Fit” isn’t checked. The 1” test square on Page 1 will help to ensure the printing has been done correctly.
  • Cutting the top and left side of each pattern page layout as per image above
  • Tape the pattern together lining up edges and the stocking shape (don’t forget to put tape on the back too).
  • Cut out pouch sizes required

 Cutting the Pieces:

Take your liner and outer fabric and fold in half lengthwise. Lay your template along the folded edge. Cut TWO of each shape.

Sewing your outer:

Place your outer pieces RST (right sides together) and pin. Using approximately a 1cm (1/2”) seam allowance, stitch around the outside of your shape. Use a shorter stitch length to ensure sturdiness of the seam and lock your stitches at the beginning and end of sewing. DO NOT STITCH ACROSS THE TOP OF YOUR POUCH. Trim your seams down.
Please note: When it comes to fabric for wildlife pouches your softest side is your right side. This may not be the printed side.

Fold the top of your pouch down approximately 2 ½ cm (1”). Press. Stitch 2-3 lines across the top to secure and provide some sturdiness.
Please note: You do not need to stitch the extra lines at this step if you dont want to but can instead fold over and then head to next step immediately.Fold over again. Press and stitch a line to secure.

Turn pouch right side out and iron so all seams are flat. Sew around the outside of your pouch again with enough of a seam allowance to completely enclose the raw edge on the inside. This is known as a French seam. Double check for pins and loose threads.
Sewing your liner:

Note: Make 2-3 liners for every outer so that washing and changing is easier for our amazing wildlife carers.

 Place your outer pieces WST (wrong sides together) and pin. Using approximately a 1cm (1/2”) seam allowance, stitch around the outside of your shape. Use a shorter stitch length to ensure sturdiness of the seam and lock your stitches at the beginning and end of sewing. DO NOT STITCH ACROSS THE TOP OF YOUR POUCH. Trim your seams down.
Please note: When it comes to fabric for wildlife pouches your softest side is your right side. This may not be the printed side.

Fold the top of your pouch down approximately 2 ½ cm (1”). Press. Stitch 2-3 lines across the top to secure and provide some sturdiness.
Please note: You do not need to stitch the extra lines at this step if you dont want to but can instead fold over and then head to next step immediately.
Fold over again. Press and stitch a line to secure

Turn pouch WRONG side out and iron so all seams are flat. Sew around the outside of your pouch again with enough of a seam allowance to completely enclose the raw edge on the inside. This is known as a French seam. Double check for pins and loose threads.

Place your liner inside your pouch and fold over. Congratulate yourself on a job well done!

So there you have it – one super simple tutorial that can have  you helping our amazing Wildlife Carers in no time at all. They are so easy to make that I am going to plan a sewing day with Hannah and some of her interested friends next week so they can also get involved. I am confident that at their ages, 10-11, they will be very successful with this project.

If you would like to download a PDF of this pattern for ease of use and for sharing within craft groups you can do so right here. For information on where to post and/or deliver the pouches follow The Rescue Collective on Facebook or join the group I mentioned above.

Don’t want to print templates? Avalon created a wonderful video showing an alternative method here.

I have taken my instructions from this PDF created by Joni. The legend that she is helped me to work it all into the tutorial.

Not just Wildlife Pouches are needed. Bat Wraps (honestly cutest things ever!), Koala mittens, knitted/crocheted blankets and nests are also in high demand. The Facebook group is full of wonderful tutorials to get you started.

One last super cute pic before I say good bye and head back to my sewing machine. Full disclosure that the photos shared in today’s post are not my own but found using a simple Google search.

Anyone else want to run out and foster Joeys? No? Just me ……?

Sarah xx

Fine print:

This tutorial has been created by Sarah Scott of Piccolo Studio and is intended for personal use only.  The pattern must not be reproduced, distributed or sold in part or whole in any form. Please Piccolo Studio as the original creator of the tutorial at time of sale and in any online promotion.  Piccolo Studio reserves the right to change or end this policy at any time.

A huge thank you to Riley Blake for providing me with the PERFECT flannelette for this project. It could not have been made in anything other than Joey by Deena Rutter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

You Might Also Like

46 Comments

  • Reply
    Hilary
    03/01/2020 at 12:37 am

    Would love to help, can you tell me where to send them, am in the Uk

    • Reply
      sarah scott
      06/01/2020 at 8:11 am

      There are hubs collecting the makes to then distribute them out. The Facebook group has more info on that or you are welcome to email me and I’ll find an address for you ?

    • Reply
      Suzanne Lambert.
      07/01/2020 at 10:26 pm

      Dear Sarah,
      Do you use the Flannelette inside or for the outside of the pouch
      or both? I have just joined, & would really like to sew different sizes
      to help out!
      Thankyou for your patterns & time Sarah.
      Kind regards, Suzanne.

      • Reply
        sarah scott
        08/01/2020 at 5:08 pm

        Hi Suzanne

        Flannel for inside and you can absolutely use it on the outside as well, or quilting cottons. So long as it is all soft and natural fibers the joeys will be happy ?

  • Reply
    Michelle
    06/01/2020 at 3:19 am

    Would love to make some of these. Where should I send them when completed?

    • Reply
      sarah scott
      06/01/2020 at 8:12 am

      There are hubs collecting the makes to then distribute them out. The Facebook group has more info on that or you are welcome to email me and I’ll find an address for you ?

  • Reply
    CK
    06/01/2020 at 4:09 pm

    Thanks for doing these! Very helpful 🙂 Tho in a few cases I’ve just cut out the rectangles and gone from there – the table you made is also very helpful for that. Dropped off my first batch at annandale hub today thanks to you 🙂

    Re: pattern – are seam allowances included?

    • Reply
      sarah scott
      06/01/2020 at 9:41 pm

      They are included on the template but not in the measurements given. You can add 1 1/2” each way to give allowances for French seams ?

  • Reply
    Patty Grossman
    07/01/2020 at 6:08 am

    Fabulous tutorial – thank you so much for taking the time to do this.

    • Reply
      sarah scott
      07/01/2020 at 8:42 am

      You are very welcome. Happy sewing ?

  • Reply
    Mary Ann Stinnette
    09/01/2020 at 4:25 pm

    What is the facebook group that we can contact when we are ready to send some off? I would love to a part of the group. I am getting ready to get some ladies together for a few pouch making days.

    • Reply
      sarah scott
      10/01/2020 at 2:48 am

      it is called the Animal Rescue Craft Guild and it is amazing!

  • Reply
    barbara wright
    10/01/2020 at 8:08 am

    Thank you for the instructions, and I REALLY don’t want to sound ungrateful but I think that there is a problem with the directions for the liner. You are folding the fabric for the top edge to the right side of the fabric, which, like your picture shows, has the wrong side of the fabric being folded onto the right side of the fabric. And when you fold it over again, you have a nice finished edge on the right side of the fabric…… however, it is the WRONG side of the fabric that you just folded down. And your picture shows that (minus 2 of the 3 rows of stitching). This means that when you put your finished liner into the outer thing and fold the liner down over the outer part, you’re going to be looking at an upside down version of that picture. In other words, when you look inside, you will see the right side of the liner fabric, but the folded edge will have you looking at the 1″ of fabric you folded up twice – which is the wrong side of the fabric. However, If you had originally folded the top down towards the wrong side of the fabric twice, what you would see is what your final picture shows.

    • Reply
      sarah scott
      10/01/2020 at 8:28 am

      Hi Barbara
      Yes I made an error with that part of the tutorial in my haste to get it out. I will rectify it as soon as I can find the spare time to redraw the images. If people sew it incorrectly in the meantime it doesn’t overly matter luckily! Hopefully in the meantime people can see this comment and make adjustments

  • Reply
    Julia
    10/01/2020 at 8:47 am

    Thank you so much for the instructions and the templated. I just printed them and am putting them together.
    Unfortunately I’ve run into a slight problem: the test square checks out with 2,5 cm in each lenght and width but the templates somehow don’t. For example for the medium pouch I’m getting 15 cm width (instead of 25 cm) x 42 cm in length (instead of 35 cm).
    I can adjust them when cutting the fabric but right now I’m not sure if I should rather trust the lines or the numbers on the templates. Would be great if you could help me out there.

    • Reply
      sarah scott
      10/01/2020 at 8:56 am

      The templates have a seam allowance included so should be bigger than the finished size on the front ?
      And then templates are cut on the fold so the cut pouch will be the correct size ?

      • Reply
        Julia
        10/01/2020 at 10:34 am

        Thanks for the quick response and the clarification. 🙂

        • Reply
          sarah scott
          10/01/2020 at 10:45 am

          My pleasure 🙂

      • Reply
        Ellen Wutzke
        11/01/2020 at 12:19 pm

        I am from Vancouver Canada
        My friend and I are going to attempt this.
        We are the greatest sewers, so hope this is easy.
        Where do we send when we are done

        • Reply
          sarah scott
          11/01/2020 at 12:54 pm

          It is super easy and you will do a wonderful job! The joeys are not even slightly fussy too so please dont stress 🙂

    • Reply
      barbara wright
      11/01/2020 at 1:30 am

      LOL – oh yeah! Here I am laughing at people who are worried about their pouches not being perfect because obviously the animals won’t care, and it never occurred to me that they won’t care if my seam is showing on the outside, either. But thank you! It was driving me nuts.

      • Reply
        sarah scott
        11/01/2020 at 10:00 am

        It’s so hard to let go of the idea of a sew only being important if it is perfect. I think we all learn a lot of lessons doing this ?

  • Reply
    Yvonne Luckett
    10/01/2020 at 4:11 pm

    Thank you!!!! I have been looking all over the FB page for exact directions on how to make these bags – all of the different ones needed….didn’t want to make my own pattern and found the PDF patterns lacking in directions. I am old school and don’t really use PDF patterns for anything I make. Thank you for these directions. Now I can get cutting and sewing….(I am near the Texas Gulf Coastline)…..

    • Reply
      sarah scott
      10/01/2020 at 4:58 pm

      You are very welcome. Happy sewing!

  • Reply
    Becky
    10/01/2020 at 5:19 pm

    Is anyone having trouble getting the liner to fit inside of the outer part of the pouches? It’s like there is too much bulk because the two parts of the pouch are the same width. I’m really struggling! Please help.

    • Reply
      sarah scott
      10/01/2020 at 5:33 pm

      You can adjust the width of the inner liner going forward if you like but honestly it doesn’t need to be perfect. The joeys are grateful regardless?

  • Reply
    Heather
    11/01/2020 at 5:01 am

    Thank-you so very much for this. I am not much of a sewer anymore but I can surely follow your directions and get a bunch of pouches put together. I will look for an address to send them. I am in Canada and have been wanting to do something and looking for ways to help out – my heart just breaks with all the devastation.

    • Reply
      sarah scott
      11/01/2020 at 9:57 am

      We are so grateful here in Australia, so many wonderful people all over the world want to help. If you join the Facebook group animal rescue craft guild I am sure you will find local locations to ship to.
      Have a wonderful day ?

  • Reply
    Harley
    11/01/2020 at 11:30 am

    Thank you so much for the pattern templates and your instructions, the time and effort creating these is much appreciated ?.
    Before finding your patterns I made some pouches however the dimensions were off as I forgot to include seam allowances, will these still be of use? Also is it ok make pouches out of clean, old towels?
    Thanks again

    • Reply
      sarah scott
      11/01/2020 at 11:56 am

      They will be more than fine for use Harley – the animals aren’t fussy at all although I am getting cute visions in my head of little kangaroos with measuring tapes (I could be sleep deprived at this point hahaha). Everything will b e used by carers in the end x

  • Reply
    Nicole Wilson
    12/01/2020 at 9:22 am

    Hi Sarah, Thank you SO much for your excellent patterns and tutorial. Did I see you’d made a video? If so, where can I find that link. I couldn’t seem to find it in the files section of the ARC craft guild page, but I know I started to watch it late last night and now it can’t locate it! Thanks again for your generosity.

  • Reply
    Julie Iverson
    12/01/2020 at 10:38 am

    Thank you so much for providing the templates and tutorials for all the sweet animals that need help! I am in the US and have made 2 trips to the fabric store for lots of fabric for these pouches. I even found several flannels with koalas on them!<3. Iv'e been to Australia and it breaks my heart that animals and people have to go through this horrible disaster. Warm hugs from the US!

    • Reply
      sarah scott
      13/01/2020 at 10:06 am

      You are welcome ?

  • Reply
    Ana
    13/01/2020 at 3:58 am

    Hello from California! Thank you for this tutorial and the patterns. I have a quick question for you. When you fold the top edge a second time, do you fold 1 inch again? Or do you eyeball it? Thanks!

    • Reply
      sarah scott
      13/01/2020 at 10:05 am

      I eye balled it personally ?

  • Reply
    thomas knies
    14/01/2020 at 3:44 am

    My wife asked me to print this but I can’t find any PDF’s att’d??

    Severely Technically challened Husban

    • Reply
      sarah scott
      17/01/2020 at 11:28 am

      The patterns are in my shop. On the tutorial you can see a note that says to click here to download. The link takes you to my pattern shop where you can “purchase” the pattern for free. From there an email will be sent to you (it could go to spam) with links on it you can download and use. ?

  • Reply
    Nicole Latham
    14/01/2020 at 3:56 am

    Do you have to use an iron? I am usually able to sew without one cause I can’t use an iron when I’m alone

    • Reply
      sarah scott
      17/01/2020 at 11:28 am

      You dont have to use an iron it just makes certain steps easier to do – especially hemming

  • Reply
    Nicole Latham
    14/01/2020 at 3:59 am

    When you put 1 cm (1”) which one should I use?

    • Reply
      sarah scott
      17/01/2020 at 11:27 am

      1cm please – sorry!

  • Reply
    Terri
    16/01/2020 at 3:01 pm

    Disregard last messages–got it figured out correctly. Thanks.

    • Reply
      sarah scott
      17/01/2020 at 11:25 am

      Wonderful news Terri

  • Reply
    Kate
    26/02/2020 at 1:27 pm

    Hi Sarah! I am a member of a craft group making pouches for wildlife affected by the fires. Is it ok if I post links to your patterns on our page? Thank you and what a wonderful job you have done ?

    • Reply
      sarah scott
      26/02/2020 at 7:53 pm

      Absolutely Kate – thank you so much for asking me. I prefer links over people sharing jpegs of the pattern or screenshot just to avoid confusion and so the copywright that restricts sale stays with it. Otherwise share away – it is for the animals after all 🙂

    Leave a Reply