This project grew out of a conversation I had with Joelle about how to use these brilliant old fabrics in a portable little project.  Sounds simple right? Well, the two of us took the most convoluted, wrong way around route to the super-simple project.  I don't know how it happened, but it took like three days to come up with this laughably easy pattern.  We sweat so you don't have to!

Okay, anyway, it all started with this batch of cotton prints from Windham Fabrics and In the Beginning. They are, from left to right:  Circa 1870, Garibaldi Collection (currently available only at Purl Patchwork); Yellow Feather, Empress collection; Orange Flowers, Lancaster County collection; Purple Mulberry Mix, Jo's Collection; Orange Stripe, Lancaster County collection; and Pin Stripe Dot, Fall River collection.

I'm really pleased with how interesting these prints look together. Colors that I wouldn't necessarily expect to look so great together turned out to be really interesting. I love them!  -- Isabelle 

I made several different size pouches by using different bowls from my kitchen as templates. For small bags, you can use Creative Grids Circle Templates, which are nice because they are clear and have a non-slip surface. You'll need two pieces of fabric for each bag, so be sure to use the same bowl for both pieces! We chose fabrics that had a lot of contrast for two reasons: to show off their intricate patterns and emphasize their rich colors.

To make the circles, place your fabric right side down on your table top.  Place the bowl or circle template down on top of the fabric, and trace around it with chalk or a pencil. Once you've traced all of the circles you need of that fabric, cut them out with scissors.

With right sides together, sew a 1/4-inch seam around the circle, leaving a 2-inch gap between the beginning and end of your seam.  Be sure to back stitch at the beginning and end.  Snip the outer edge of the circle in five or six places.  This helps the edge lay flat once the circle has been turned right side out. 

Once you've the circle right side out, pressed it, and sewn up the opening, bring it back to the sewing machine.  Sew a line 1/4-inch from the edge of the circle all the way around. Then sew a second line 1/4-inch to the left of the first line, 1/2-inch from the edge of the circle.

Using sharp scissors, cut a small slit between one line and the other, making sure to cut only the top fabric.  Cut another slit directly across the circle from the first.  These are the holes the cord will pass through.

I used Euroflax Linen for the cords because it is strong and durable.  I made two cords for each bag.  To make one cord, I cut lengths of linen 2 1/2 times as long as the circumference the circle.  I twisted the strands together until they were spiralling around each other, then tied a knot at one end. At the other end I fastened a bodkin, a little tool made especially for threading things like this.

Beginning at one of the holes in the circle, push the bodkin into the tunnel and work all of the way around the circle. Pull the cord through so that the beginning and the end of the cord are even.  Thread the second cord the same way, starting at the hole opposite the first.

Close the bag by pulling the ends of each cord.  One of the things I really like about these bags is that you can carry them around all closed up, but when you want to open them up, you can open them all the way and enjoy the fabric on the inside.  They become a miniature tablecloth to place your smallest treasures on.  Another thing I like is that they can be turned inside out and they'll still work. Enjoy!  --Isabelle