This boxy zipper pouch is the first bag in my quilting/sewing portfolio. I am thrilled with all the details, including the contrasting grid quilting, the bright yellow zipper, one of my favorite prints on the inside, the leather strap, and the interior French seams. This bag goes with me everywhere, now holding my grandfather’s film camera. I love that it’s dirty and holding up well after all these years of adventures.

I often find myself wanting something new and trying to make it before finding something that’s already made. In this case, I was tired of (gently) throwing my camera in my backpack unprotected and simultaneously interested in making a zippered bag for the first time. I found a pattern online and measured out my camera dimensions and got to work. I was admittedly bit overconfident when adding the leather strap (which I love!!)… that was a lot of layers of fabric for my trusty little sewing machine. Since the zipper I had around had a smaller zipper pull, I cut off a sliver of some extra leather material and used it as a pull tab for easier gripping.