"Little pouches sew 'kindness'" refers to making small fabric bags, often from scraps, to fill with treats or messages as random acts of kindness, with popular tutorials available for simple snap pouches, zipper pouches (sometimes from dish mats), or folded felt versions, providing a beginner-friendly way to spread cheer or donate to charity. These projects use basic sewing skills and can be made quickly for gifting or to teach children about generosity.
Key Concepts & Types
Kindness Pockets/Pouches: Small, simple bags designed to be given away to spread joy, often featuring a snap or velcro closure.
Scrap Buster: Ideal projects for using up fabric scraps, making them economical and eco-friendly.
Beginner-Friendly: Many tutorials are aimed at new sewers, using basic rectangles and simple stitches.
Where to Find Patterns/Tutorials
SewCanShe: Offers a popular "Bit O' Kindness Pouches" tutorial.
Laura Kelly's Inklings: Features "Easy Sew Kindness Pockets".
YouTube: Has numerous video tutorials for different pouch styles.
Here is a portion of the content from my book purchased many years ago of instructions for this particular pattern.
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Uneven Nine-Patch Pattern
The "Uneven Nine-Patch" is
a popular and simple quilt block style where the individual patches are different sizes, unlike a standard nine-patch. While specific proprietary patterns are copyrighted, the general construction is widely shared and is considered beginner-friendly.
General Cutting & Assembly Instructions (9-inch Block)
These are general instructions for a traditional 9-inch finished block (9.5 inches unfinished), based on common quilting resources. All seams use a standard 1/4-inch allowance.
Cutting Measurements
Center Square: One 5-inch square
Corner Squares: Four 2.75-inch squares (alternatively, some patterns use 2.5-inch squares for a different look)
Side Rectangles: Four 5 x 2.75-inch rectangles (alternatively, some patterns use 2 x 3.5-inch rectangles for a different block size)
Assembly Steps
Lay out the pieces in three rows, referring to a visual guide if needed (the general layout has the large square in the middle, rectangles on the sides, and small squares in the corners).
Sew together the pieces in each row using a 1/4-inch seam allowance.
Press the seams toward the darker fabric to help them nest properly when joining the rows. For the top and bottom rows, this is typically toward the center; for the middle row, it is typically away from the center.
Join the three rows to make the complete block, carefully aligning the seams.
Press the finished block well to ensure it lies flat.
Alternative Methods & Patterns
Various interpretations of the "Uneven Nine-Patch" are available, often with full patterns for purchase or free tutorials:
PDF Patterns: You can find beginner-friendly digital PDF patterns for purchase on platforms like Etsy, which offer step-by-step instructions for a small fee.
Video Tutorials: Numerous free video tutorials on YouTube demonstrate different cutting methods and block sizes, which are helpful for visual learners.
Accessory Tools: Tools like the AccuQuilt GO! Uneven 9-Patch 12" Block die set can make cutting the specific shapes faster and more accurate.
Free Online Tutorials: Some quilting blogs offer full photo or written tutorials, such as the "Two-Color Uneven 9-Patch Quilt Free Pattern" from Gigi's Thimble.
An Uneven Nine-Patch is a variation of the classic nine-patch quilt block where the pieces are different sizes, creating more movement and interest than a traditional evenly cut block.
What makes it “uneven”?
Instead of all nine squares being the same size:
Some squares are larger or smaller
Or the block is made from rectangles and squares
The center square is often emphasized by being larger (or occasionally smaller)
Common Uneven Nine-Patch Layout
A very popular version uses:
Center square: larger focal fabric
Corners: smaller squares
Sides: rectangles
Example cutting idea (unfinished sizes):
Center: 4½" square
Corners (4): 2½" squares
Side pieces (4): 2½" × 4½" rectangles
This still finishes as a square block but looks much more dynamic than a regular nine-patch.
Why quilters love it 🧵
Great for scrap quilting
Highlights feature fabrics
Works beautifully in vintage and cozy quilt styles (perfect for your aesthetic!)
Easy to assemble—still straight seams, no triangles
Design variations
Alternate light/dark for a secondary pattern
Make the center a novelty or floral print
Rotate blocks to create a woven or framed effect
Sash blocks for a sampler-style quilt
If you’d like, I can:
Write a step-by-step pattern
Design one that fits your blog style
Suggest color layouts (lavender, sage, beige would be lovely!)
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Great. Here is a simple Uneven Nine-Patch pattern.
Finished Block Size
12" finished
12½" unfinished
Cutting Instructions
Center square: 4½" x 4½"
Corner squares: four at 2½" x 2½"
Side rectangles: four at 2½" x 4½"
Fabric Tips
Use a focus print for the center.
Use lights for corners.
Use mediums or darks for sides.
Layout
Place the large square in the center.
Place small squares in all four corners.
Place rectangles on all four sides.
All seams face inward.
Sewing Steps
Sew a rectangle to each side of the center square.
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Christmas Stuffed Pillow Made With One Fat Quarter
🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄
Fat Quarter
18.9 x 20.5 Inch
Cut fat quarter in half.
Take one of the halves and fold in half again and then again to find the center to place the Scripture writing square. Take the scripture writing and do the same with the folds. Unfold. With rigbt side of the fabric placed up right and place tbe wrong side of scripture writing in the center of right side of fabric. Pin in place. Take both sides and fold over the edges, stitch 1/4 inch seam on both sides. Press. Now do the same with the top and bottom. Press. After this is done it will be smaller than the other piece of fabric. Prepare with right sides together to form the self binding metbod.. Turn inside out. Press. Stuff. Seal.
Self-binding in quilting (also called “fold-over binding” or “self-mitered binding”) is a technique where the quilt backing is used to create the binding — meaning the backing fabric is cut larger than the quilt top, then folded over to the front to finish the edges.
It’s especially popular for baby quilts, placemats, table runners, and mini-quilts.
Here’s a clear, simple guide:
⭐ What Is Self-Binding?
Instead of sewing a separate binding strip, you extend the backing fabric beyond the quilt top by a few inches. After quilting, you trim the batting, fold the backing over twice, and stitch it down.
This creates a neat, soft binding with mitred corners.
🧵 Why Quilters Love It
Faster than traditional binding
Great for beginners
No need to piece binding strips
Lovely polished look on small projects
Uses less fabric overall
📏 How to Do Self-Binding (Step-by-Step)
1. Prepare your quilt layers
Cut backing 4–6 inches larger than the quilt top on all sides.
Example:
If your quilt top is 40" × 40", cut backing about 48" × 48".
2. Layer and quilt
Make your quilt sandwich (backing → batting → quilt top) and quilt as desired.
3. Trim the batting only
Trim the batting to be flush with the quilt top.
Do not cut the backing.
4. Trim the backing evenly
Trim the backing so that it extends ¾"–1½" all around (depending on your desired binding width).
Most quilters use 1 inch of backing beyond the top.
5. Fold the binding
First fold: fold backing edge to meet the edge of the quilt top.
Second fold: fold again over the top to create the visible binding.
Press to keep it crisp.
6. Miter the corners
At corners:
Fold the first side.
Fold the second side over it.
A natural miter forms — adjust until neat, then clip or pin.
7. Sew down the binding
Top-stitch close to the inner fold using:
straight stitch, or
decorative stitch (great for baby quilts!)
🌸 Tips for Best Results
Works best on small/medium quilts; large quilts may distort.
Choose backing fabric that complements your quilt top — it becomes your frame.
For bulky corners, trim backing slightly before folding.
Use quilting clips instead of pins to avoid shifting.
