A quilted tissue pouch holds the common disposal tissue pack. Using a tissue holder for your purse has several advantages over just keeping the tissues in their original plastic packaging: A fabric pouch is more durable than a plastic wrapping. The design of this pouch makes it easier to pull out a tissue without the crinkling sound of plastic. Making a fabric holder yourself from scraps is also eco-friendly and definitely more stylish than the plastic wrapping. You can make it match your purse.

The finished scrappy quilted tissue pouch will measure 5.5-inches wide by 3.5-inches deep. The origin of the disposal tissue goes back over 100 years. In 1914 a cotton substitute was created for use as surgical dressing and gas masks filters. In 1924 disposable facial tissue was introduced to remove cold cream and makeup. In the 1930’s a major tissue manufacturer branded the disposable facial tissue as “the (anti-germ) handkerchief you can throw away.” Today, the disposal tissue is the unsung hero to every cold fighting regimen. And during flu season it’s one of my ‘don’t leave home without it’ items. If you’re going to have one, then why not give it your personal style with a scrappy quilted tissue pouch!

Be prepared for this project. See “Supplies”, “Fabric” and “Getting Ready To Sew”.

These are the tools and supplies that I used to make a fancy tissue pouch.

• Quarter Inch Quilting Foot With Guide for piecing the block

• A 90/14 Sewing Machine Needle

• Wool Pressing Mat

• Sewing Stiletto and Rolling Seam Presser

• Coordinating Cotton Threads

• Long Flower Pins or Sewing Clips

• Thread Snips

• Rotary Cutter, 6 X 24 inch Ruler, 6-inch Square Ruler and a Rotating Cutting Mat

• Heat Erasable Pens

You will need the following fabrics to make it:

•Gather an assortment of 16 fabric scraps that are 2.5-inches wide by at least 30-inches deep. This will be the top of the quilt sandwich and will become the outside fabric of the tissue pouch.

• One 29-inch wide by 24-inches deep rectangle of fabric. This is the interior fabric of the pouch.

• One 28-inch wide by 23-inches deep rectangle of batting.

Piece the fabric strips together to make a 29-inch wide by 24-inch deep rectangle of scrappy fabric. When you finish piecing the fabric strips, they will be approximately 29-inches wide. There is no need to further trim the width for this project.

Tip: The advantage of using fabric strips to create your own fabric is you can change your mind. I swapped the green lattices with red berries fabric fabric strip for a solid black fabric strip. The change created a bolder look.

Trim the scrappy fabric 29-inches wide by 24-inches deep rectangle.

Make a quilt sandwich using the scrappy fabric top, batting and backing fabric.

Tip: For a quick review of how to assemble a quilt sandwich see Madam Sew blog “Super Simple Quilted Placemats” section: “Quilting And Finishing Your Placemats”

Quilt using your fabric quilt pattern. I recommend a meandering quilt pattern. When finished you’ll have custom-made quilted fabric. Take a bow, you just became a quilted fabric designer!

Trim the quilted fabric so that the batting and backing edges are even with the quilt top edges. This should be approximately 29-inches wide and 24-inches deep.

Then, fold two of the rectangles lengthwise in half, right sides facing out.

Next, place the two folded rectangles on top of the third fabric rectangle. Please note, the right side of the third rectangle should be facing you.

The two folded long edges should meet in the center. All the raw edges should be aligned to the outside of the rectangle.

Now just sew a 1/4″ seam all the way around the tissue cover. I like to backstitch several times on the perimeter where the two folded rectangles meet. The section gets the heaviest wear.

Carefully turn the project right side out and your scrappy quilted tissue holder is finished and ready for your purse. So easy!!!

The 3.5-inch wide by 5.5-inch deep dimensions makes a small quilted tissue holder that can accommodate approximately four folded tissues.

A 5.5-inch wide by 7.5-inch deep dimensions makes a large quilted tissue holder that can easily accommodate a full-sized travel pack of 8 tissues.

You can customize the length of the large quilted tissue holder’s center opening by hand-sewing the left and right edges. This will enable you to pull up individual tissues without lifting out the entire tissue pack.

Tip: Reduce the bulk around the perimeter by trimming away the batting. This will enable the pouch to lie flatter. And trimming the corners will reduce their bulk. See Madam Sew’s Blog “How to Make A Scrappy Mug Rug” section “Sewing The Perimeter Of The Mug Rug Sandwich”

When your tissue holder is ready, pack the pouch with your favorite disposable tissues and put it in your purse. I really like the tissues imbued with lotion.

Did you enjoy this mini tissue holder project? Use your quilted fabric to make more tissue holders as a gift or to sell on craft fairs or save it for future projects. I guarantee you’ll find a sure for it. There are many more projects that are surprisingly fun, easy and beautiful at Madam Sew blogs. Here are a few:

• Super Simple Quilted Placemats

• Quilted Laptop Bag

• Fast And Easy Scrappy Puff Quilt

May your quilting always bring you joy!

Ernie Grant
Guest Blogger For Madam Sew

Ernestine “Ernie” Grant is an avid quilter with over 17 years experience and is the owner of the custom baby quilt business kalibabyquilts.com. As an African American living in Harlem, NY her view of quilting is shaped by her heritage and the elders who taught her–Quilting is not just thread, fabric and stitches. It is art, it is love, it is community.