Penelope Storage Pouch Tutorial — Les Créations de Dehem
If you’ve been following the world of handmade accessories and fabric crafts for any length of time, you’ve probably come across the kind of project that stops you mid-scroll. The Penelope storage pouch from Les Créations de Dehem is exactly that kind of project. Elegant, practical, and surprisingly achievable for sewists of varying skill levels, this charming little pouch has captured the hearts of crafters who appreciate a design that blends beauty with function. In this detailed tutorial, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to create your own Penelope storage pouch, from gathering your materials to finishing the final seam with confidence.
Whether you’re a beginner looking for a rewarding weekend project or an experienced maker seeking a new pattern to add to your repertoire, the Penelope pouch delivers on every front. It makes a wonderful gift, a gorgeous addition to your own craft table, or a sophisticated way to organize your everyday essentials. Let’s dive in.
What Is the Penelope Storage Pouch?
Les Créations de Dehem is a beloved French craft brand known for its thoughtfully designed sewing patterns and tutorials that celebrate the art of slow, intentional making. The Penelope storage pouch is one of their signature designs — a structured, zippered pouch with a beautifully finished interior, gusseted base for extra depth, and a polished exterior that looks far more complex than the process of making it actually is.
The name Penelope itself evokes a sense of patience and craftsmanship, which feels entirely appropriate. This is a project that rewards careful cutting, precise sewing, and a willingness to take your time with each step. The result is something truly special: a pouch sturdy enough to hold tools, cosmetics, knitting notions, stationery, or anything else you want to keep tidy and accessible.
Materials and Supplies You Will Need
Before you begin, it’s worth gathering all your supplies so that the sewing process flows smoothly from one step to the next. There’s nothing more frustrating than stopping mid-project to hunt for a zipper foot or realize you’ve run out of thread. Here’s what you’ll need for the Penelope pouch.
Fabric: You’ll need two coordinating fabric choices — one for the exterior and one for the lining. For the exterior, a medium-weight cotton, a linen blend, or a lightweight canvas works beautifully. These fabrics hold their shape well and press cleanly, which gives the finished pouch that professional, structured look. For the lining, a quilting cotton or a soft cotton lawn in a complementary print or color brings a lovely surprise when the pouch is opened. Plan on approximately half a yard of each fabric, though the exact amount will depend on the specific dimensions of the pattern you’re working from.
Interfacing: Fusible woven interfacing or fusible fleece is essential for the exterior panels. This is what gives the Penelope pouch its satisfying structure. Medium-weight fusible interfacing is generally a good choice, as it adds body without making the fabric too stiff to work with.
Zipper: A 20-centimeter or 30-centimeter zipper (depending on the size of pouch you’re making) is needed for the main closure. A nylon coil zipper in a coordinating color looks sleek and sews easily. Metal zippers add a more luxurious feel if you want to elevate the finished piece.
Thread: Choose a high-quality all-purpose polyester thread that matches your exterior fabric for the main construction. If you’re planning to do visible topstitching, consider a slightly contrasting thread for a decorative touch.
Basic sewing tools: You’ll also need a sewing machine (ideally with a zipper foot), fabric scissors or a rotary cutter with a self-healing cutting mat, a ruler, pins or fabric clips, a hand-sewing needle, an iron and pressing board, and fabric marking tools such as chalk or a water-soluble pen.
Optional but helpful: A seam roller or bone folder for pressing seams open in tight corners, and a turning tool or chopstick for pushing out corners and edges cleanly.
Preparing Your Fabric
The first step in any well-made sewing project is preparation, and the Penelope pouch is no exception. Start by pre-washing and pressing all your fabrics. This step prevents any unwelcome shrinkage later and ensures that your finished pouch keeps its shape and dimensions after use.
Once your fabrics are washed, dried, and pressed smooth, it’s time to cut your pieces. Carefully transfer the pattern pieces from the Les Créations de Dehem template onto your fabric using your marking tool of choice. Take your time with this step, as accurate cutting is the foundation of a well-fitted pouch. If you’re using a directional print, make sure all your pieces are oriented consistently.
Cut the exterior panels and apply your fusible interfacing to the wrong side of each piece according to the manufacturer’s instructions, using a pressing cloth to protect the fabric surface. Allow the interfaced pieces to cool completely before moving on — this helps the bond set properly and prevents bubbling.
Cut your lining pieces and set them aside. If you’re using a slippery or lightweight lining fabric, you may wish to stay-stitch around the edges to stabilize them before assembly.
Assembling the Exterior
With your pieces cut and prepared, it’s time to begin the actual construction of the pouch. The exterior of the Penelope pouch comes together in a satisfying sequence of steps that build on one another logically.
Begin by attaching any exterior pockets or design details. If the pattern includes a slip pocket on the outside, now is the time to construct and attach it. Fold the pocket piece in half, sew around the sides and bottom, clip the corners, and turn it right-side out. Press it flat, then topstitch along the top edge for a clean finish. Position the pocket on your exterior panel according to the pattern markings and sew it in place along the sides and bottom edge, pivoting neatly at the corners.
Next, you’ll sew the exterior front and back panels together. With right sides facing, align the pieces carefully and sew along the side seams and bottom seam, leaving the top open for the zipper installation. Press these seams open for a flatter finish, or press them to one side if that’s your preference. If the pattern calls for a gusseted base — which is one of the Penelope pouch’s lovely structural features — follow the gusset instructions to box the corners. To do this, flatten each bottom corner so that the side seam and the bottom seam align, forming a triangle. Measure and mark across the triangle at the specified depth, then sew along that line and trim away the excess. When turned right-side out, this creates a flat, sturdy base that allows the pouch to stand upright.
Installing the Zipper
The zipper is often the step that makes new sewists nervous, but with a little patience and the right technique, it becomes second nature. The Penelope pouch uses a clean zipper installation that tucks the raw ends inside the pouch for a polished look.
Start by preparing your zipper. If it’s longer than needed, you can shorten it by sewing a bartack at the appropriate length using a dense zigzag stitch on your machine, then trimming the excess. This is a handy trick that allows you to work with a standard zipper length even when the pouch dimensions call for something specific.
Place one side of the zipper face-down on the right side of the exterior top edge, aligning the zipper tape with the raw edge of the fabric. Position your lining piece on top, also right-side down, sandwiching the zipper between the two layers. Pin or clip all three layers together and sew along the zipper tape using your zipper foot, maintaining a consistent seam allowance. Flip the fabric panels away from the zipper, press them flat, and topstitch close to the zipper tape. This topstitching not only looks beautiful but also prevents the fabric from being caught in the zipper during use.
Repeat this process on the opposite side of the zipper for the remaining exterior and lining panels. Before sewing the pouch closed, make sure to open the zipper halfway — this is a crucial step that allows you to turn the pouch right-side out through the gap once everything is assembled.
Assembling the Lining
The lining is assembled in much the same way as the exterior, with one important difference: you’ll leave a gap in the bottom seam for turning. Sew the lining front and back together along the sides and bottom, leaving an opening of approximately 8 to 10 centimeters in the center of the bottom seam. This gap is your turning hole, and it will be closed later by hand or machine once the pouch is turned right-side out.
Box the corners of the lining just as you did for the exterior, following the same measurements. This ensures that the lining fits smoothly inside the finished pouch without bunching or pulling.
Joining the Exterior and Lining
Here is the moment where everything comes together. With both the exterior and lining constructed and the zipper installed, you’re ready to join the two main sections of the pouch.
Tuck the exterior inside the lining so that the right sides of the exterior and lining are facing each other. The zipper will be sandwiched between the layers. Align the side seams of the exterior and lining, matching them as carefully as possible, and pin everything in place. Sew around the perimeter of the pouch, joining the exterior and lining.
Now comes the satisfying reveal. Reach through the gap in the lining’s bottom seam and carefully turn the entire pouch right-side out. Use a turning tool or the eraser end of a pencil to gently push out the corners. Marvel for a moment at the fact that it’s already looking like a real, finished pouch.
Push the lining down into the exterior and press the pouch from the outside with a warm iron, paying particular attention to the zipper area and the edges. Close the gap in the lining by folding the seam allowances inward and sewing the opening closed — either by hand using a ladder stitch for an invisible finish, or by machine with a simple straight stitch very close to the folded edge.
Finishing Touches
The difference between a pouch that looks handmade and one that looks professionally crafted often comes down to the finishing details, and the Penelope design rewards this final attention.
Topstitch around the top edge of the pouch, close to the zipper, to help the lining lie flat and add a decorative border. Use a steady hand and consistent seam allowance for the cleanest result. If you wish, add a zipper pull charm — a small tassel, a fabric loop, or a leather tab — by looping it through the zipper slider before you close it permanently.
Press the finished pouch one final time, paying attention to every seam and corner. A well-pressed pouch has a structured, shop-worthy quality that makes all the difference.
Tips for Success
A few additional notes that will help your Penelope pouch turn out beautifully:
Take your time with pressing at every stage. Fabric that is pressed flat before and after each step sews together much more accurately and the seams lie flatter in the finished piece. Invest in these pressing pauses rather than rushing through them.
When sewing near the zipper, move the zipper slider out of the way of your needle and foot as you go, rather than sewing over the bump it creates. Simply stop with your needle down, lift the presser foot, slide the zipper, lower the foot, and continue. This gives you a perfectly straight seam.
If you’re new to gusseted corners, practice on a scrap piece of fabric before cutting into your good materials. The concept is simple once you’ve done it once, but that first attempt can feel disorienting.
Choose your fabric combination thoughtfully. The contrast between the exterior and lining is part of what makes this pouch so delightful. A neutral or textured exterior paired with a playful print lining creates that lovely moment of discovery every time the zipper is opened.
Ways to Customize the Penelope Pouch
One of the joys of sewing your own accessories is the endless opportunity for personalization, and the Penelope storage pouch lends itself beautifully to customization.
Consider adding an interior zippered pocket using a small coordinating zipper sewn directly into the lining. This is wonderful for organizing smaller items inside the pouch. You could also add a key ring clip or a D-ring loop to the side seam during assembly, turning the pouch into a wristlet or a bag accessory that clips to a tote handle.
Experimenting with fabric choices opens up a whole world of possibilities. A pouch made from a bold printed canvas has an entirely different personality than one made in a soft, understated linen. Velvet, cork fabric, and laminated cotton are all interesting exterior options for makers who want to push their fabric knowledge further.
For gifting purposes, personalizing the pouch with embroidery, fabric paint, or iron-on appliqué before assembly is a wonderful way to make it uniquely yours or uniquely theirs.
Why the Penelope Pouch Is Worth Making
In a world full of mass-produced accessories, there is something deeply satisfying about creating something with your own hands that is both useful and beautiful. The Penelope storage pouch from Les Créations de Dehem occupies that sweet spot where good design meets approachable construction. The finished piece holds its shape, zips smoothly, looks polished from every angle, and — perhaps most importantly — carries with it the quiet pride of having been made by you.
Whether you’re making it to organize your embroidery threads, store your jewelry while traveling, corral your makeup brushes, or keep your art supplies tidy on a desk, the Penelope pouch rises to the occasion. It’s the kind of project you’ll want to make again and again, in every fabric combination you love, for every person in your life who deserves something handmade.
The Les Créations de Dehem pattern provides clear guidance through every stage of the process, and with this tutorial as your companion, you now have all the context and confidence to bring your own Penelope pouch to life. Clear your cutting mat, press your fabric, and enjoy every step of the journey.
