- Cut cork into (2) 9”x9” squares
- Hoop (1) 9”x9” square using SQ14 hoop for the Janome 550E, The design called for many thread color changes; I opted to embroider using the same color throughout. Hint: hooping cork can be challenging. Loosen the hoop screw to ensure that it doesn't stress the plastic and tighten slowly but firmly.
3 Cork is very stable. It doesn’t require additional stabilizer.
4. Select the remaining cork square and using a chalk pencil, draw a rectangle, diagonally, on the right side of the cork, .5”x7 ¾.” This will be used for placing and sewing the 7” zipper. Draw another line down the center which will be the cutting line later. Chalk is a great marking tool on cork. Please see the photos below.
Note: I used the 7” zipper in its entirety and didn’t create a zipper tab.
5. Measure ¼” from the short side of the rectangle and mark. Draw lines diagonally as shown below, from the center. The small triangle that it forms, will be folded to the wrong side later.
6. Carefully, cut down the center line and the short sides of the small triangle just drawn, only.
7. Fold cork to the wrong side following the chalk lines. Apply ¼” double sided tape to hold it in place. Finger press well as this is temporary.
8. Apply ¼” double sided tape again, to the top of the folded cork (wrong side). Doing this holds the zipper in place before stitching it down. Cork can’t be easily pinned.
9. Place the zipper right side down on the wrong side of the cork. It should look like this from the right side. Center zipper on the rectangle so that it’s evenly distributed. Once you are satisfied with the placement, stitch all around it.
Below you can see the same step from the wrong side of the cork before stitching the zipper. The tape holds it in place long enough to keep it from shifting.
10. Topstitch as close as you can to the edge to secure the zipper to the cork.
11. Trim both cork pieces to 8”x8” squares. Save cork remnants to create wrist handle and/or zipper pulls.
12. If you are adding a wrist loop/handle, now is your chance. Fold (1) of the 1”x8” rectangles we trimmed above, in half, wrong sides together and fold again to hide the raw edges. Top stitch to get about ¼” cork strip (handle). Sandwich cork strip to form a loop, between the two squares, right sides together, as shown below.
13. Most of the handle will be inside the square sandwich. Carefully topstitch using the edge of the foot as your guide. I placed the loop on a corner.
Note: Zipper must be opened to turn the pouch right side out.
14. Turn the pouch right side out, pushing the corners out carefully using a point and press tool with rounded ends.
15. I loved working with cork for this project. It is versatile, doesn’t unravel and the back of the embroidery looks just as beautiful as the front. Another bonus is that there is no stabilizer to tear or peel. Pair it with vinyl to create other types of pouches and even envelopes to store your patterns, quilt blocks and more. My daughter fell in love with this project and let’s just say, I no longer own it!
If you are ready to try sewing cork and vinyl together, here is another project idea (see below). Use a decorative vinyl for visibility and wonder clips instead of pins to hold materials together. Be patient and more importantly, have fun and experiment!
Thank you so much for viewing this tutorial. It is an honor to be part of this Janome
family.
I would like to wish you a Happy and Prosperous New Year!
Maday
www.sustainabletextiledesign.com
IG - sustainabletextiledesign
