How to Sew a Pencil Case

You can easily sew a large, roomy, zippered pencil case in less than an hour. Create a pencil case that can hold a 12-inch ruler and several pens and pencils.

Things You'll Need

• 12-by-15 inch non-stretch fabric
• 14-inch zipper
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Scissors
• Pins
• Iron

Instructions

1. Cut a piece of non-stretch fabric in half, width-ways, to form two 6-by-15 inch pieces. Fold and press the top 1/2 inch along one long side towards the "inside" of the fabric for each piece.

2. Pin the folded edge of a piece to one side of the zipper with the "outside" of the fabric and the "outside" of the zipper facing upwards. Position the folded edge along the sides of the teeth.

3. Sew a line of straight stitches 1/4 inch from the folded edge, sewing the zipper to the fabric. Repeat, sewing the other piece of fabric to the other side of the zipper. You should now have one piece made from the two rectangles with the zipper in the middle.

4. Fold the piece at the zipper so that the "insides" are out, placing the side and bottom edges of the fabric pieces together. Pin and sew along the two side edges, leaving a 1/2-inch seam allowance.

5. Press the top of each side seam flat where it meets the zipper at each end. Sew a few rows of stitches back and forth over the width of the zipper tape. Trim the excess zipper tape.

6. Undo the zipper, and with the "outsides" together, sew the bottom seam with a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Trim all the loose ends and turn the pencil case right-side out.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a thick, sturdy fabric for a long-lasting pencil case. The same technique can be used to make any sized pencil case.