How to Make a Crayon Roll

Every parent knows that running errands, going out to dinner and visiting the doctor's office with a young child can be a trying task. Kids get bored easily, so it's important to have something packed in your purse or diaper bag that will help keep them occupied long enough for the waiter to bring your food. A crayon roll is the perfect way to keep a few crayons handy for drawing on napkins, paper placemats or scrap paper. Not only does it encourage creativity, but it also keeps your child happy and occupied during an otherwise boring wait.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Printed fabric Coordinating solid fabric Sewing machine Thread Rotary cutter Self-healing cutting mat 7/8-inch wide ribbon Scissors Iron Ironing board Tailor's chalk Ruler Pins

1. Cut your printed fabric into two 17-by-5 inch rectangles, then cut the coordinating solid fabric into one 17-by-3½ inch rectangle.

2. Cut two lengths of ribbon, each 10 inches long.

3. Hem one long edge of the coordinating solid fabric by folding the open edge under by 1 inch and pressing with a hot iron. Fold the raw edge under and press again. Finish the hem by topstitching across the finished edge. This will become the front of the crayon storage pocket.

4. Begin ½ inch from one edge of the coordinating solid fabric, measuring and marking 1-inch increments across the width of the piece you just hemmed. Lay one of the printed fabric rectangles on your work surface, right side up then place the marked solid fabric piece on top, lining up the sides and bottom edges of the two pieces. Pin in place.

5. Use the marks you made as guides to stitch the crayon dividers onto the pinned pieces of fabric. Be sure to stitch back and forth a few times near the hemmed edge to secure each slot opening. You will have 16 crayon slots when finished.

6. Place the other printed fabric rectangle on top of the piece you just finished sewing (right sides together) then pin in place. Pin the lengths of ribbon in the center of one short edge. Stitch all the way around using a ½-inch seam allowance, making sure to leave a small opening. Clip all four corners.

7. Use the opening to turn the fabric right side out then topstitch around the entire roll 1/8-inch from the edge for a finished look.