Make gifts of jewellery extra special, with these luxurious silken pouches

What you need...

• Silk dupion, red, cream
  Ribbon, satin, red
  Thread, matching
  Sewing machine
  Scissors
  Pencil
  Ruler
  Safety pin

instructions

1. Jewellery Pouches - Cut two matching rectangles in silk dupion, 18cm x 20cm. Lay the fabric pieces one on top of the other, then fold in half, matching the two longer edges. Trim one of the corners into a curve and from the other corner, measure down 9cm and place a small cut in the edges of the fabric. Un-fold the rectangles.
   
   From the contrasting coloured fabric, cut a 3cm bias strip and press it in half. The bias of a piece of fabric is a 45 degree angle from the selvage, which is where the strip needs to be cut from. Match the end of the folded bias strip to one of the 9cm notches on the one of the rectangles, placing the raw edges of the rectangle and the bias strip together.
   
   Sew the strip to the rectangle with a 5mm seam allowance. Begin to stitch 1cm from the end of the strip and continue around the curves, stopping 1cm short of the other notch. Place the remaining rectangle on top with the right sides of the fabric facing each other, then pin them together.
   
   Pull the loose raw ends of the bias strip out to the edges of the rectangle. Sew down the side, across the base and up the other side again with a 5mm seam allowance. Fold in 5mm, then another 4cm around the top of the bag. Edge stitch the 5mm fold to the pouch, forming a hem, then make another row of stitching 1cm above the first forming a channel. Turn the bag right side out and press. Unpick a few stitches in between the channel on both of the side seams.
   
   Cut two 46cm lengths of ribbon, and using a safety pin attached to the end, thread one section through the channel, entering and exiting through the same gap left in the side seam. Repeat with the remaining piece through the other gap in the opposite side seam. Knot the ends of the ribbon together; pulling these in opposite directions will draw the top of the bag closed.
   

http://www.hansson-silks.co.uk – silk dupion
http://www.cheapfabrics.co.uk – silk dupion