How to Make a Fabric Pencil Case
A colorful pencil case, to carry school pencils and pens in, is an excellent project for parent and child to work on together. Pick out some colorful cotton fabrics from your scraps or make a trip to the fabric store. You'll just need some basic sewing skills to complete this project.
Things You'll Need
- Newspaper or craft paper
- Scissors
- ¼ yard cotton fabric
- Straight pins
- Thread
- Sewing machine
- Needle
- Stick-on Velcro dot
- Embellishments (optional)
Instructions
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1
Make a pattern from a sheet of newspaper or craft paper. Cut out a rectangle 4 inches wide and 9½ inches long. Cut a second rectangle, 4 inches wide and 7½ inches long.
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2
Place your 9½-inch pattern on a double-folded piece of fabric. Use straight pins to attach the pattern to the fabric. Cut the fabric around the paper pattern. Cut a single piece of fabric with the smaller pattern piece, in the same manner.
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3
Fold one of the shorter ends of the smaller piece of fabric under ¼ inch, and then fold it under another ¼ inch. Pin this in place and sew close to the inside edge. Remove the pins.
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4
Lay one of the larger pieces of fabric face up. Place the smaller piece of fabric on top, face up with the folded edge at the top, but with both fabrics lined up at the bottom. Pin the two fabrics in place. Sew just along the three sides of the smaller piece of fabric, the two sides and bottom. Sew close to the outside edge. This will hold the pocket in place. Remove the pins.
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5
Place the second larger piece of fabric on top of the pocket with the right sides of the fabric facing. Pin all the way around the two larger fabrics. Sew around, leaving a 3-inch opening on one side. Remove the pins.
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6
Turn your pencil case right side out through the opening. Press the fabric flat with your iron. Hand sew the opening shut.
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7
Use a stick-on Velcro dot for the closure. Place one end of the Velcro on the front of the pocket area and the other end on the inside of the flap, so they are lined up.
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8
Decorate your fabric pencil case, on the outside, with embellishments, such as buttons, beads or charms.
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Tips & Warnings
Make several of these with your child. Fill them with colorful pencils and pens. Have her hand them out to her friends on the first day of school. If she is starting a new school, it's a good way to make friends.
