There’s something so rewarding about watching your skills come to life in the form of something beautiful and useful. That’s exactly what the Quilted Pouches project delivers—a satisfying, hands-on experience that brings together foundational sewing techniques and a professional finish that’s anything but basic. Whether you’re just beginning your bag-making journey or you're ready to refine your technique, this project is a smart and stylish starting point.
The Quilted Pouches are the first featured project from Making Bags: A Field Guide by Jessica Barrera, founder of Sallie Tomato. This book is the result of years of exploration, trial, and a deep desire to help fellow sewists feel confident at every step of the creative process. Jessica’s passion for bag making shines through in every chapter, offering valuable instruction on everything from choosing fabrics to mastering advanced finishes. It’s not just a pattern book—it’s a heartfelt guide meant to accompany you through your creative evolution.
In this first skill-building project, Jessica walks you through the creation of her Quilted Pouches in a brand-new video tutorial. These pouches are small but mighty, packed with lessons that can be applied across nearly any bag-making pattern. With clean lines, structured shape, and thoughtful details, the Quilted Pouches give you the chance to practice precision sewing, working with multiple layers, installing zippers, and assembling your project from start to finish with clarity and confidence.
What sets this experience apart is the opportunity to see the process in action. The video tutorial serves as your personal classroom, guiding you step-by-step through cutting, quilting, assembling, and finishing your pouch. You’ll learn how to quilt your exterior panels with batting and lining for texture and structure, and how to smoothly sew in a zipper that not only functions beautifully but looks professionally finished. There’s something empowering about watching each element come together—and knowing you did it yourself.
Jessica shares her knowledge of fabrics throughout the video, offering insight into how to choose and handle different materials. You’ll see the versatility of combining quilting cotton with specialty fabrics like cork, velvet, vinyl, kraft-tex, and more. Each variation adds a new layer of experience, helping you discover what materials you enjoy working with and how they can impact the overall style and function of your finished bag.
For this project, a curated Quilted Pouches Kit is available, making it easier than ever to get started. The kit includes everything needed to create your pouch—fabric, hardware, zippers—chosen for both performance and beauty. While the book is sold separately, it acts as your companion in the sewing room, offering written guidance and pro tips to complement the visual learning of the video. Together, the book and kit provide a well-rounded experience that builds both your skills and your confidence.
Jessica's journey to creating polished, high-quality bags wasn’t instantaneous. For years, she wondered what made store-bought bags look so refined while her handmade ones felt incomplete. Determined to uncover the secrets behind that professional finish, she invested her time and energy into testing techniques, studying materials, and creating her own methods that could be done at home—without the need for industrial equipment. The result is a powerful and accessible system of learning, packaged into her field guide and brought to life through the projects like the Quilted Pouches.
Behind the seams of this project is a story of resilience and creativity. Jessica wrote Making Bags during some of the most challenging and meaningful moments in her life. Her love for sewing, her belief in community, and her mission to make the art of bag-making more accessible all come through in the tone and structure of the book. When she says she poured her heart into it, it’s not a figure of speech—it’s an invitation. An invitation to pick up your scissors, thread your needle, and begin your own journey, one stitch at a time.
The Quilted Pouches project is more than a fun way to spend an afternoon—it’s an experience in building your sewing vocabulary. Each completed pouch is a milestone in your creative growth, a reminder that great results come from thoughtful practice and a willingness to try. And because these pouches are both functional and giftable, you’ll walk away with a project that you’ll use again and again—whether it holds your sewing tools, cosmetics, tech accessories, or small gifts for a friend.
This is just the beginning of the video tutorial series featuring the five projects from the book. As each month unfolds, more skill-building projects will be released to continue supporting your journey with visual guidance and hands-on experience. It’s a format that encourages consistency and curiosity, helping you learn at your own pace while feeling connected to a larger community of makers who are sewing right alongside you.
The Quilted Pouches are an approachable yet impactful introduction to the world of handmade bags. They challenge you in the best way—teaching new skills without feeling overwhelming. And with Jessica’s clear, encouraging instruction, you’ll feel empowered to make them again and again, trying new materials, adding creative touches, and even customizing the size for different needs.
Sewing isn’t just about the final product. It’s about the feeling of accomplishment, the joy of creating, and the little details that make something uniquely yours. The Quilted Pouches project captures all of that beautifully. With every stitch, you’ll gain experience, confidence, and a deeper love for your craft. Let this be the start of something special—your own bag-making adventure, stitched with purpose and pride.
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