Grid Piecing is a great way to get perfect lines and seams for smaller projects like bags, totes, etc. All you need is fabric squares all cut to the same size and some lightweight fusible lining
I use this fusible lining from Amazon.
In this example I cut all my squares to 2.5″ from my Fruitful fabric collection with Moda.
Be sure to check out the cute Zipper Pouch Tutorial at the end!
Grid Piecing Prep
Once you have cut all your fabric pieces into the same size squares (mine are 2.5″), lay them out, right sides up, on the bumpy side of the fusible lining. Make sure they are on the bumpy side or you’ll end up gluing the fusible to your ironing table/board. Lay your pieces as close together as you can without touching or overlapping.
Lay a large scrap or muslin piece of fabric over the whole thing and press carefully. You don’t want to mess up the grid pieces or glue the fusible to your scrap/muslin.
Grid piecing steps
Before I began grid piecing I did cut my “panel” into smaller sections as I was making them for small zipper pouches. But these instructions will work on any size grid panel.
Fold the first row over so that right sides are together. Sew a 1/4″ from the folded edge. Repeat this for each row.
Turn the panel over so that you can see the seam. Carefully snip the seam and each intersection as close to the thread as you can. DO NOT clip the thread/seam line.
Now you can press each section of seam to the opposite direction. This will allow you to nest seams and reduce bulk at the intersections.
Here is where the “grid” in “grid piecing” comes in. Turn your panel 90 degrees and fold your first row over so right sides are together, just as you did in the very first step. Sew a 1/4″ away from the fold. Repeat for each row.
Press all of the seams to one direction. Flip over your panel and press again. I like to then place it under a clapper to set the seams. Now your grid is completed and ready to use in whatever project it is intended!
Grid piecing zipper pouch
This zipper pouch has no real pattern. It was created by my dear friend, Jennifer Van Vliet who made a whole bunch of these for me to use as gifts. She has graciously allowed me to share the dimensions if you wish to make it yourself!
Lining/Accent Fabric
- (2) 8.5″ x 6.5″ Pouch Linings
- (2) 8.5″ x 3″ Exterior Accent/Base
- (2) 1.5″ x 2″ Zipper Tabs
- (16) 2.5″ x 2.5″ scrappy squares
- 7.5″ Zipper (I love this variety pack of cute zipper pulls)
- Lightweight Fusible Interfacing pieces (for the grid piecing)
- (2) 8.5″ x 6.5″ Fusible Fleece pieces for stability
Pouch Instructions
- Create a 2 x 4 grid of scrappy squares and follow the above grid piecing method.
- Sew the Exterior Accent/Base pieces to the bottom of the grid panels.
- Press Fusible Fleece pieces to each exterior panel.
- Sew a top stitch line along the top of the Exterior Accent/Base (use coordinating thread).
- Press zipper tabs into a double fold and sew them onto each end of the zipper.
- Lay one exterior panel right side up. Lay the zipper, with the tab facing down, along the top edge of the exterior panel- centered. Then lay a lining piece on top, right side down. With a zipper foot, sew along the top edge through all layers.
- Pull the lining away and top stitch along top of the exterior piece (close to the zipper).
- Repeat Steps 6 and 7 with the other side of the zipper.
- Lay out the pouch so that Exterior pieces are RST on one side of the zipper and the Interior pieces are RST on the other side of the zipper. Sew around the entire thing, leaving a 3″ gap at the bottom of the lining pieces.
- Box Corners as desired.
- Pull the pouch out through the gap, press the seams of the gap in and top stitch closed.
- Push lining into pouch and uses a corner turner to push everything into place.
