Free Tutorial: Scrappy Burlap Wall Pocket

Sometime in September, the idea came to me that I needed something dimensional to hang from an old six-pane window I have hanging in our home’s entry. Currently I have a mini quilt hanging on the window (my low volume \”Crops\” mini), but I wanted to change out the look for winter. Hmmmm . . . how about using some burlap (warmth and texture) combined with red, green and black fabric (a nod to the Christmas season), along with a bit of pretty trim or ribbon, and a pocket to tuck in some twigs? Yes, this idea settled in my mind and sounded good. After a bit of late night thinking and mental editing, I gathered my supplies, sketched up some plans, and created the Scrappy Burlap Wall Pocket.

I am really pleased with how this pocket turned out. I took pictures along the way, hoping it might be worthy of a tutorial for my sewing friends. It was inexpensive and only took a couple hours to complete. (I was writing my instructions while I was working on the project, so I’m sure it would go even faster for you!) I keep thinking how lovely it would look in autumn inspired fabrics! If you make a pocket, please share your finished project on Instagram using this hashtag: #scrappyburlapwallpocket. Instructions are provided below.

Thanks for reading my blog today! Here\’s hoping you get carried away quilting often!

~Taunja

Scrappy Burlap Wall Pocket

Finished size: 25” long by 14” wide

Please read through all instructions before beginning. Seam allowances are ¼” unless otherwise stated. All instructions are given in good faith as a free tutorial.

Materials needed:

Fabric scraps: (21) 2 ½” squares
Half yard of burlap (I purchased one yard of burlap at Hancock Fabrics. It was on sale for $3 and was 57” wide. You will need burlap that is at least 57” wide.)
1 piece fusible fleece measuring 6” x 14” (I used Pellon 987F.)
15 inch length of coordinating trim (lace, crochet, ribbon, twill tape, etc.)
Chicken wire netting (I purchased “Wire Accents: Chicken Wire Netting” made by Darice at my local craft store. A piece that is 18” x 39” comes rolled up in a box. The cost was $7 on sale. I used a piece 6” by about 33”. There is enough left over to make another project!)

Other tools needed:

Fabric spray adhesive
Rotary Cutter
Tin Snips *You may want to wear gloves when handling the chicken wire.

Instructions:

Using your rotary cutter, cut a strip of burlap 14 ½” by width of fabric (which should be 57” or more). When folded in half, your pocket should measure 14 ½” by 28 ½”
After auditioning fabrics from your stash, cut (21) 2 ½” squares. Lay them out in three rows of seven.
Sew row one together and press all seams to the left.
Sew row two together and press all seams to the right.
Sew row three together and press all seams left.
Place row one right sides together with row two. Nest the seams and stitch the rows together. Press the seam open.
Place row three right sides together with row two. Nest the seams and stitch together. Press the seam open.
You now have your 21-piece patchwork unit. At this point I ironed fusible fleece to the back side for a little more stability. It also prevents the burlap from showing through any lighter fabrics.
Look at your burlap strip and determine which piece will be the front of your pocket. (Burlap can have some flaws and fibers that you may or may not want showing on the front side of the pocket.) From the top edge of the front, measure down 8 inches and draw a line across the pocket. This will be your sew line for the patchwork unit.
Lay the right side of your patchwork unit down on the front of your burlap pocket. Align the “top edge\” of your patchwork unit along the drawn line and pin in place. If any of your fabrics are directional, make sure you are aligning the top edge to the drawn line! (Note: At this point the “bottom edge” of your patchwork unit will be toward the top of your pocket.) Using a ¼” seam allowance, stitch the top edge of the patchwork unit to the burlap. Backstitch at the beginning and the end. This is very important since burlap is such a loose fiber.
Before flipping down the patchwork unit, press back a ¼” fold along the bottom edge.
Now flip down the patchwork unit and press the top seam that you just sewed so it lays nice and flat. Pin down the bottom edge and sew a very scant seam to secure it. Backstitch at the beginning and the end.
Next, add a piece of trim to the bottom edge of the patchwork unit. I had purchased a yard of crocheted trim at an antique store this summer . . . a $2 purchase of some lovely creamy white trim that I was tickled to find. I first tried to pin the crocheted trim in place, but it kept shifting. So I ended up lightly spraying fabric adhesive to the back side of the trim and putting the crochet in place that way. Then I topstitched the trim with matching thread.
At this point, fold the entire pocket up right sides together (the back facing the front), with the two 14 ½” ends aligned at the top. Burlap is shifty and stretchy, so pin along both of the long side edges (the 28 1/2\” sides) and leave the top open. First sew a ¼” seam allowance to both long edges. Backstitch at the beginning and the end. Next sew a 1/8” seam allowance to both long edges. Backstitch at the beginning and the end. This just provides extra security for the loosely woven fabric.
Turn the pocket inside out and push out the corners. You may also want to iron at this point.
Wearing gloves, use a tin snips to cut the chicken wire to size. I cut a piece 6 inches wide by 30 inches long. Using the width of your pocket as your guide, fold the chicken wire into a tube. You will have a few inches of overlap in the back.
Roll the top edge of the pocket down two times to make a 1 ½” cuff along the open edge of the pocket. Press this cuff so that it holds during the next step.
Gently tuck the tube of chicken wire into the pocket, being careful to not poke through the burlap. Keep the \”finished edge\” of the chicken wire (the edge you did not cut) at the top.
Turn down enough chicken wire to cover the folded cuff. The chicken wire adds a nice rustic touch, and it also provides a hanging mechanism on the back of the pocket. My Scrappy Burlap Wall Pocket hangs on our six-pane window using two suction cup hooks. Add some twigs or berries and you are done!