Patchwork Leftovers Reinvented

Sometimes the best projects come from having no plan at all—just a pile of scraps.

After finishing my Eloise Quilt (pattern by Penelope Handmade) using a Ooh Lucky Lucky jelly roll from Ruby Star Society, I couldn’t stand to let the leftover strips go to waste.

So I did what any scrap-loving maker would do: stitched them into a tiny improv panel, letting the colors and prints fall where they may. No real plan, just pure play.

I quilted it with some delightfully wonky lines, chopped the whole thing up again, and turned it into the sweetest little Open-Out Pouch—my first time making this pattern from Aneela Hoey.

I’d been eyeing it for a while but held off because I hadn’t been able to track down a small separating zipper. That tiny detail makes the pouch open up completely wide, but it’s not something you can grab just anywhere. Luckily, I spotted one on my last visit to Stitch Central and finally got to give the pattern a try.

The curved edge was a fun little challenge, and finishing it felt like such a win. I topped it off with a Ruby Star butterfly zipper charm I’d been saving for something special—this felt like the perfect match.

From a pile of scraps to a cute bag, this pouch was a good reminder that sometimes the best makes happen when you let go of the plan (which if you know me - is super hard). Just fabric, a quiet moment, and the freedom to follow whatever idea pops into your head.