How to Sew Joey Pouch Liners

The Australian wildfires that started in 2019 displaced billions of animals. Fortunately, many charitable and wildlife organizations began collecting joey pouches to give these animals a comfortable space to recover in. You can contact...

Cutting the Fabric Pieces

Choose a standard pouch size for your project. Since you can make joey pouches for animals of all sizes, it's important to choose a pouch size before you begin. This way, you know how much fabric to buy for the inner lining and the outer lining. In general, these are standard joey pouch sizes:^{[1] X Research source}
1. Extra-small: 6 by 8 inches (15 cm × 20 cm)
2. Small: 8 by 12 inches (20 cm × 30 cm)
3. Medium: 10 by 14 inches (25 cm × 36 cm)
4. Large: 12 by 14 inches (30 cm × 36 cm)
5. Extra-large: 18 by 22 inches (46 cm × 56 cm)
Select an all-natural fabric for the inner liner. It's really important that the inner liner is 100% natural because joeys might nibble on it. Pick a soft fabric that breathes, such as cotton, bamboo, or linen. Don't use wool, even though it's natural because it's too scratchy for the joeys.^{[2] X Research source}
1. You can make between 1 and 5 joey pouches with 1 yard (0.91 m) of fabric, depending on their size.
Tip: It's fine to use light cotton fabric, stretchy T-shirt jersey, or flannelette. These are all gentle fabrics that are comfortable against the joeys' skin.
Pick fabric made from natural or synthetic fibers for the outer pouch. The outer pouch doesn't come into direct contact with the joeys, so you could use natural or synthetic fabric. Try to match the outer material with the season to keep the joey cool or warm. For example, pick a polar fleece or wool for a winter pouch, or use light cotton for a summer pouch.^{[3] X Research source}
1. You might have seen knitted or crocheted joey pouches, but organizations might not accept them. If the joeys chew, they can unravel the yarn, which is a choking hazard.
Cut out 2 pieces of fabric for your inner liner. If you're following a pattern, you may be able to download and print a template that you can use to cut out the fabric. If you don't have a template, cut out 2 pieces of fabric for each of the liners based on the size pouch you're making. For example, for the inner liner you'll need:^{[4] X Research source}
1. Extra-small: two 13 in × 18 in (33 cm × 46 cm) pieces
2. Small: two 17 in × 20 in (43 cm × 51 cm) pieces
3. Medium: two 19 in × 24 in (48 cm × 61 cm) pieces
4. Large: two 19 in × 28 in (48 cm × 71 cm) pieces
5. Extra-large: two 27 in × 40 in (69 cm × 102 cm) pieces
Tip: You can find patterns for flat or curved bottom pouches. Just find out what the organization prefers before you begin.
Use scissors to cut 2 fabric pieces for the outer liner. To make the outer liner for the joey pouches, cut 2 pieces from your outer liner fabric. Remember that this fabric can be synthetic if you like. You'll need to cut:^{[5] X Research source}
1. Extra-small: two 11 in × 18 in (28 cm × 46 cm) pieces
2. Small: two 15 in × 20 in (38 cm × 51 cm) pieces
3. Medium: two 17 in × 24 in (43 cm × 61 cm) pieces
4. Large: two 17 in × 28 in (43 cm × 71 cm) pieces
5. Extra-large: two 25 in × 40 in (64 cm × 102 cm) pieces

Sewing the Inner Liner

Stack the 2 inner liner pieces so the wrong sides touch and pin the sides. Lay 1 of the inner liner pieces so the pattern side faces down. Then, place the other inner liner piece directly on top it so the pattern side faces up. Insert sewing pins along the long sides to hold them in place.^{[6] X Research source}

Tip: Feel your fabric to see if the printed side is the softest side. If it isn't, then flip the pieces over so the softest side becomes the part of the pouch that comes into contact with the joey.
Sew along the sides and bottom leaving a ¹⁄₄ in (0.64 cm) seam allowance. Take the pinned fabric over to your sewing machine and begin sewing at the top corner of the liner. Straight stitch down the long side, across the bottom, and back up the other long side to end at the opposite corner. Leave a ¹⁄₄ inch (0.64 cm) seam allowance.^{[7] X Research source}
1. To make a sturdier seam, set your machine stitches to a shorter length than you usually use.
2. Don't stitch across the top of the pouch or you won't be able to open your liner!
Cut the excess fabric from the sides of the liner. Trim the excess fabric so it only extends about ¹⁄₈ inch (0.32 cm) from the seam. Ensure that you don't cut into the stitches or your liner will fall apart.^{[8] X Research source}
1. Sewing the liner wrong side out keeps the seam on the inside of the liner. This way, when you turn the liner inside out the raw edges won't be visible. It's called a French seam.
Turn the liner inside out and fold the top by a total of 2 inches (5.1 cm). Once you flip the liner, the pattern should be facing in. Fold the top edge of the liner down by 1 inch (2.5 cm) towards the wrong side of the fabric. Then, fold it over 1 more time by another 1 inch (2.5 cm).^{[9] X Research source}
1. At this point, you can pin the fold or iron it in place. This just makes it easier to sew.
Sew around the edge and sides leaving a ¹⁄₄ in (0.64 cm) seam allowance. To finish the inner liner, sew the folded edge of the liner with a ¹⁄₄ inch (0.64 cm) seam allowance. Turn the liner as you work in order to sew around the entire edge. Then, sew around the sides and bottom of the liner using the same ¹⁄₄ inch (0.64 cm) seam allowance.^{[10] X Research source}
1. Take off the accessory tray for your sewing machine to make it easier to sew the folded edge.
2. Your inner liner is now ready to be stuffed into an outer liner.

Making an Outer Liner

Stack the outer liner pieces so the right sides face in and pin the sides. Take 1 of your outer liner pieces and lay it flat so the pattern faces up. Then, place the other outer liner piece on top so the wrong side faces up. Pin along the sides and bottom to hold the fabric in place.^{[11] X Research source}
1. You don't need to sew French seams on the outer liner, so it comes together quicker than the inner liner.
Sew along the sides and bottom leaving a ¹⁄₄ in (0.64 cm) seam allowance. Take the fabric pieces to your sewing machine and start sewing at 1 of the top corners. Leave a ¹⁄₄ inch (0.64 cm) seam allowance as you sew straight down the side, across the bottom, and up the opposite side.^{[12] X Research source}
1. Don't sew across the top of the liner or you won't be able to open it!
Tip: If you want to cut excess fabric from the sides of the pouch once you finish sewing, trim to ¹⁄₈ inch (0.32 cm) from the seam.
Fold the top of the liner over by a total of 2 inches (5.1 cm) and pin it. Bring the top edge of the outer liner over towards the wrong side of the fabric. Fold 1 inch (2.5 cm) over and then fold it over again by another 1 inch (2.5 cm). Then, insert sewing pins horizontally around the folded edge.^{[13] X Research source}
1. Double folding the top hides the raw edges.
Sew around the folded edge and turn your outer liner right side out. Straight stitch around the top of the liner so the folded edge is secure. Then, trim the thread and flip the liner so the pattern faces out. Now you're ready to insert the inner liner!^{[14] X Research source}
1. If you'd like to smooth the seams, iron the liner so the seams lay flat.
Push the inner liner into the outer liner to complete your joey pouch. Take the inner liner and insert it into the outer pouch, but don't sew them together. Just fold the top of the inner pouch over the top of the outer pouch to finish it.^{[15] X Research source}
1. By leaving the liners separate, carers can easily take out the inner liners and replace them when they get dirty.