Snappy Pouch Made With Measuring Tape

Use an old measuring tape to make the opening of this pouch extra snappy — it’s a bit unconventional, but it works like a charm! This is a fast and simple project for anyone familiar with basic sewing. You can create several to give as gifts, add a strap to transform it into a purse, or make a smaller version for carrying spare change.

Here’s what you’ll need to make this super snappy pouch:

1. Attached pattern
2. Main fabric
3. Fabric for the casing (the top strip)
4. Fabric for the triangle pulls
5. Fabric for the lining
6. Scissors for fabric
7. Old scissors to cut measuring tape
8. Measuring tape that’s 1/2” wide (the metal kind that comes in a toolbox, not the kind used for sewing)
9. Rotary Cutter
10. Cutting mat
11. Tape
12. Sewing machine
13. Iron
14. Ruler

Cut out the 3” squares. Using your iron, press in half to make a triangle, then in half again to make an even smaller triangle. Set aside.

Cut out the rest of your pieces, referring to the attached pattern.

Fold casing pieces in half, right sides together, and press. Sandwich main fabric and triangle in between. Sew down using a 1/4” seam allowance. Press open and top stitch, staying really close to the seam.

Using a ruler and a cutting mat if you have them, or scissors if you don’t, trim the excess off the edges of the front and back pieces you just made. Then trim the lining pieces, making sure they’re the exact same size of the front and back pieces. They should all be somewhere around 8.75ish” x 7-ish”.

Using old scissors or scissors you don’t care about, cut two 8 1/8” pieces of measuring tape. Round the edges and cover them with tape. To prevent the rest of the measuring tape on the roll from rolling back into the casing, fold a bit over and tape it very well. Set the two pieces of measuring tape aside.

Place one of the lining pieces on top of one of the outside pieces, right sides together. Sew along the top seam using a 1/4” seam allowance. Do the same with the other pieces. Fold right sides out and press. Top stitch along the top seam using a 1/8” seam allowance, creating a casing.

Slide the measuring tape pieces into the casing, numbers side up! There should be at least 1/3” of space on either side.

Place the two pieces right sides together and pin. Sew all the way around, reinforcing the casing areas, but leave a large gap (at least 5”) in the bottom part of the lining. You can slide the measuring tape to the opposite side when you’re sewing to give you enough room to sew. Clip the corners.

Turn the pouch right sides out, taking your time to make sure the measuring tape behaves. It’s a little tricky, but as long as you left a big enough gap in the lining, you should be fine. Sew the gap closed.

If your lining is trying to pop out a little, tacking down the side seams just where the two pieces of measuring tape meets on both sides should fix that problem.

And that’s really all there is to it! I definitely prefer making a snappy pouch over a zippered one—the snap is just so satisfying! I plan to make a few of these as Christmas gifts this year; it was such a fun project. I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments on how we could tweak the pattern to create different types of pouches. Happy crafting!