Bushfires have been ravaging Australia for the past several months, and even as the flames finally seem to be under control, the country is still in dire need of some help. While we may not all be able to donate, us sewists can still do something!
Animal Rescue Craft Guild put out a call for wallaby and kangaroo joey pouches, wraps for bats, crocheted nests for displaced birds, and much more in an effort to rescue surviving wildlife and nurse them back to health.
Mood U at our NYC store is hosting a sew-a-thon to make some simple joey pouches this Saturday, January 11, from 11a-4p! They’ll be making the basic curved bottom kangaroo pouches following these guidelines here.
For those who can’t make it though, we’ve put together another tutorial for how to make hanging joey pouches so we can tackle this need from several fronts! Mood will even take pouch donations and ship them throughout the next few weeks! Find the shipping details at the bottom of this post.
Fabric Requirements
While this project is great for stash busting, be sure to check the fabric content. Kangaroos and wallabies alike need 100% natural fibers for their pouches. This means no polyester or other synthetics, and nothing with any coatings.
Cotton is your best option, as it’s both breathable and soft. Try cotton jersey and flannel for the inner lining and durable cotton twill for the outer shell and strap.
Purchase the Fabrics & Materials I Used:
- 1 yard Blue and Stucco Plaid Organic Cotton Flannel
- 1 yard Navy Solid Organic Cotton Twill
- All Purpose Thread
- Optional:
- Pattern Paper
- Pattern Weights
- Marker
- French Curve
- L-Square
How to Draft a Hanging Pouch
There are two types of hanging joey pouches: one with an opening in the front for joeys to see out during the day, as well as an even simpler one with no opening for sleeping hours. We’ll be drafting a open-faced daytime pouch, but the steps are the same if you’d like to make a night pouch – just omit the opening!
Additionally, if drafting isn’t your forte, Piccolo Studio has a free downloadable pattern in two different sizes – one for kangaroos and one for wallabies!
- First, make a 20″ straight line across the top of your pattern paper or fabric.
- One inch inward on either side, mark a dot 12″ down.
- Two inches inward, measure 14″ down.
- Five inches inward, measure 17.5″ down.
- Measure 19″ down at the center.
- Connect your dots using a curved ruler.
- Add 1/2″ seam allowance around the entire shape.
This is your back pattern piece, completed. (If you’re making a night pouch, this is also your front piece and you can move on.)
- Mark and measure your curve for the front opening of your pouch like you see above.
- Connect the dots, add seam allowance, and your pattern is drafted!
How to Sew a Hanging Pouch
Cut 1 back piece and 1 front piece from both your lining and shell fabrics, as well as an 8″x36″ strip of shell fabric for your pouch strap.
Faces together, lay your front pieces atop their respective back pieces and sew along the bottom curve of your pouch.
Fold your strap piece in half along the length so it measures 4″ wide and sew along the long edge. Turn right side out and press.
Pin the strap ends to either side of the front opening face, like you see below and then place the lining inside the shell. The right sides of your fabric should be together.
Sew along the top edge of your pouch and front opening, simultaneously sewing your straps down and connecting your lining and shell. Be sure to leave a 4″-5″ opening towards the back of your pouch to turn it right side out.
Clip your seam allowances at the corners and curves, turn right side out, and press.
Lastly, edge-stitch around the top and opening curve of your pouch, closing the back portion as you do.
You pouch is now ready to be donated!
Where to Ship Your Joey Pouches
Ship your pouches to the address below and Mood will forward them to be donated!
- Courtney Norris
- 39 Robinson Road
- Lodi, NJ 07644
86 comments
Thank you mood fabric! So lovely for you promote this on your blog. The love and support from everyone worldwide is incredible. Erin xx from Australia
Doing this ! Wanted to help but didn’t know how. Thank you!!
Thank you very much for thinking of our beautiful wild life they need all the help they can get. Helen from Australia
Is a deadline to make the Joey punches?
Frances from Orlando Florida
We’re accepting donations through the end of the month! 🙂
Hi Courtney
Lakewood High School Fashion classes, led by Malwina Mogielski (teacher) made approximately 50 pouches. They weigh a lot! Can you recommend the least expensive way for me to ship them to you? I am the CTE grant coordinator for the school and we want to make sure they get there! I promised her classes I would get them there. Thank you!
Hi Joanne – I wish Lakewood was just a bit closer! For cheapest shipping though, your best bet might be a flat rate box through USPS. As long as they all fit in one, it won’t matter how much it weighs! 🙂
Contact a local shelter to see if they are shipping some over — perhaps you can donate the made ones their and not worry about paying shipping?? Just a thought.
Thanks for your generosity by hosting and providing for your event, plus enabling us non- locals to pitch in.
Thank you so much for stepping up, this is a horrible tragedy. Yes I will be making some of these and since I live in Iowa and we are having Ice and snow, sewing it will be. Thank you for the address to mail the finished bags.
Super nice! Want to participate! Until when can we send the pouches??
Through the end of January! 🙂
Thank you for all of your wonderful thoughts and pattern, it truly brought tears to my eyes, knowing that there are people from everywhere offering to help our wildlife. I live in a remote township and I am still making these to hand on to the people here who are treating and caring for the animals. Thank you again, ever so much. xxx
You don’t sew the front curve opening when you put the straps into the front and back? Is it left unsewn until you turn it?
Hi there! Sew the front curve as well when you sew the straps on – just the few inches toward the back of the pouch should be open in order to turn the pouch right side out. 🙂
So great of you….I’m proposing our Quilters group in Tucson make a bunch, & we’ll ship to you to add to your pile.
Thank you for the tutorial! I am on the west coast, can I just ship what I make to the address in NJ that you provided?
Yes, that would be awesome – thank you!
Thank you! I can’t wait to do what I can to help in Australia. I will send a package your way next week 🙂
Thank you so much!! Any idea why Mood in Los Angeles isn’t doing this? I live in L.A., and would love to attend an event like this here-
This one was kind of last minute and our Mood U director is based in NYC, so it made more sense to hold the event there – but we are always looking for other ways that the sewing community can help others, so if you have any ideas please let us know! Hopefully we can plan some events like these in LA asap. 🙂
Thank you MOOD! Great way for people to help in such a devastating time. Will try to pass onto my scout families.
Thank you Mood for thinking of our amazing wildlife down under. As an Australian customer this is incredibly touching to see such global support during this ongoing crisis that is still continuing. A massive thank you to all that contribute in whatever way they can.
What is the deadline for getting them shipped from NJ?
We’re hoping to send out the last of our donations by the end of the month!
Thank you for the great directions and address. Will do this on Sunday.
Amazing! Thank you. I’ve shared your link on FB for the Aussie sewers who aren’t on your mailing list.
Linda from Australia
Thank you so much!
Thank you so much for all your help in making these pouches, for our orphaned and injured young kangaroos, cheers from Gayle In Australia
Our beautiful animals thank you. XX Carol From Australia
Thanks so much for the clean and concise instructions! Beautifully done!
I made three day and two night versions and will ship them tomorrow. Thank you so much for the idea and instructions, and for coordinating this. It makes me sad that these have to be a substitute for a momma but I hope they help.
It is estimated that over a billion wildlife have been lost in the bushfires across our country.
A heartfelt thanks to all Mood’s customers that will take this movements on board to help save and support those caring for our injured wildlife.
The pouches will make a significant difference!
Thank you Mood!
Barbara
MT Eliza AUSTRALIA
Hello
I am from France.
Where should i send the pouches?
Thank you
Hi there! We’re accepting donations at the address above, but check with your local craft guild – a lot of organizations are taking donations for Australia worldwide. 🙂
Hello,
Are you still in need of these pouches and if so is the address above still vailid?
Yes, we’re accepting them through the end of the month!
I made Joey pouches (not the hanging type) in 4 sizes. Can I ship them to you so they can be sent to where it’s needed the most?
Yes, that would be great – thank you!!
I traced the pattern and cut about 10 outer shells for the pouches – will sew them in the next few days. More to come.
Thank you so much for offering direction and shipping!!!
Should fabric be washed before construction? Thank you
Yes, pre-washing your fabric is recommended!
Thanks so much for the part you are playing in helping these burned and injured animals. That you for shipping them also. That takes a weight off my mind. I am so glad to be able to participate in this endeavor.
Thank you Mood fabrics for your concern. It helps to know that we are not alone at this time.
Even though you are on the other side of the world, we are joined by your love, care and generosity.
Peoples’hearts are broken and our wildlife facing devastation and yet compassion and kindness prevails.
I pray good things for you.
Chrissy
What’s the timeline for accepting joey pouches made at home and mailed to Courtney? Thanks!
Hi Cindy, we’re accepting them through the end of the month!
For the night pouches, is the back piece used as both front and back? Thanks !
Yes, that’s correct! 🙂
Ok Courtney! Shipped 50 to you via UPS today. Will arrive next Monday the 27th. They said it’s a business address so I’m just letting you know. Keep us posted if and when they need anything else that we can help with. Thank you!
Awesome, thank you so much!!
My friend said rescuers are swamped with supplies. What’s the status? I have 2 joey bags and a bonus bag ready to ship.
I went back to the instructions and figured out sewing the edge, but screwed up the strap both times, took it out and put it on between the back and front lining instead.
Hi Joanne! We’re still accepting pouches through the end of the month, but we’re waiting to send them to Australia until rescuers there have a chance to catch up and take inventory of what they’ve received so far. We’re also looking into other groups who may be in need!
My wife made wildlife pouches and bat wraps. Can you accept them for distribution to the groups in need as well?
Yes, we can accept those as well!
Thank you. I will be doing these with my Girl Scout troop this week and will get them in the mail to you,
Can I bring the pouches to the NYC store? I work down the block and it’s easier than mailing.
Yes, you can give them to Ben! 🙂
I have started to make a few, i am awaiting some material from Mood then i will make more. When are you sending the pouches off? What’s the latest you want them by? This is a great idea, i am so pleased you are doing this.
Hi Caroline! We’re currently waiting to see which rescue guilds can still accept donations (they’re getting a TON, which is awesome!) and then we’re hoping to send our off by the end of January.
Will you accept bat wraps to donate as well? I am searching for an organization to take them and I’ve had no such luck yet!
Yes, we can take those too!
We are making just the pouch liners described in the link to the Aussie wildcare website. Can we still send them to you?
Yes, we’re accepting those as well!
I made 4 pouches using the directions above AND I made 32 liners/pouches using the Wildcare Australia patterns for XS/S and ML animals including sugar gliders, possums, koalas, joeys, wallabys which are different from those you have the pattern for above. May I send them all to you at the NJ address and they will get to the proper carers? Thank you so much for leading this charge!! Bless you.
Yes, we’ll accept those as well!
Thank you so much for the pattern and organizing this effort. Just finished a dozen bags and will ship them tomorrow.
I only finished 3 but shipping today anyway. I am not very good with patterns but wanted to contribute.
Thank you so much!! I’m sure they’ll be great 🙂 🙂
My 10yo daughter just finished her pouch. Are you still receiving them to ship to Australia??
Thank you!
Yes, we’ll be accepting them through next week!
A bunch of joey pouches are coming your way today from Encinitas, CA – sewed by grade school girls @holliannesewinglab
Thank you so much!! <3
got all size pouches shipping tomorrow! thank U
I would like to send some Joey pouches our Sewing club made. Can we still send these to you?
Yes, we’re accepting them through the end of this week! 🙂
I would like to send you pouches today. I hope you’re still accepting them. I’m from Chicago.
Yes, we’re accepting them through the end of the week!
Question Do you know where you are sending these too? Which organization?
As of right now, we’ll likely be sending them to Wildcare Australia Inc, but our director of Mood U is from Australia and is also looking into some additional places that may be in need.
Hi Courtney!
A very special thanks to you and Mood Fabrics for organizing this amazing effort to help the wildlife of Australia. I was able to make 3 hanging pouches and 9 medium size outer and inner liners from the wildlife pouch pattern on the Piccolo Studio website that you referred to. The package is due to arrive by 8 PM tonight 🙂
If there is additional need for more pouches I would love to contribute so I’ll keep following.
Thanks again!
Cindy
Just mailed you a box with Joey bags .
Thank you for hosting this event I was very happy to participate.
Thank you Courtney this was very helpful for me and hopefully I don’t mess up in making them.
Hi Courtnie! Our Girl Scout troop would like to help by making pouches. Is it too late to send them to the address listed above?
Hi there! Unfortunately, the donations are already on their way to Aus, but keep an eye out on our social media – we’re trying to organize different donation events every other month or so!
Hi Courtnie! How many pouches did you end up sending?
Hi Kathleen, we were able to send over 1000! 🙂