How to Sew Your Own Paint Brush Holder

Your brushes will never turn up missing when you have a paintbrush roll to store them in.

The creative mind is not always the most organized of minds. If you are a painter, live with someone who paints, or have kids, it is likely that you have paintbrushes littering a workspace, rolling around with no place to call home. The solution to this is to place them all in a cup or an old tin can or you can create something more stylish and portable by sewing a paintbrush roll. A paintbrush roll comes together quickly, even for the novice sewer.

Things You'll Need

• Scissors
• Needle
• Thread
• Tape measure
• Tailors Chalk
• Fabric in two different colors or designs; upholstery is recommended
• Interfacing (optional)
• Ribbon

Instructions

1. 

   Using fabrics of varying colors and designs adds interest to your roll.

   Cut three pieces of fabric into rectangles measuring 13-by-7 inches. If you choose to use interfacing to make your paintbrush holder less flimsy, cut a rectangle of this measuring 13-by-11 inches.

2. Stack two pieces of the fabrics together with the right sides facing towards each other, and the interfacing on top. Line the interfacing up directly with three sides, six inches away from the edge of the fourth side.

3. 

   This project will come together even faster if you utilize a sewing machine.

   Sew the fabric and interfacing around the three sides that the interfacing is lined up with the fabric.

4. Open the side that has not been sewn, and turn the fabric inside out so the interfacing is now inside.

5. Sew the open side closed. Sew around all four sides once more.

6. Fold the third piece of fabric in half and line it up against three edges of the pieces of fabric already sewn together. Sew the edges together, leaving a pocket open in the center.

7. 

   Your pockets should differ in size to accommodate the varying thickness of the brushes.

   Measure out each brush pockets to be on the newly sewn pocket, ranging in size from .75 inches to 2 inches wide. Mark each pocket with tailors chalk.

8. Sew each brush pocket lengthwise. Check each pocket after sewing to ensure that you have left enough room to slide a paintbrush into each slot.

9. 

   Fabric ribbon, or even a length of leather, will work best to hold your paintbrush roll shut.

   Insert paintbrushes, roll up the holder, and use your ribbon to tie it shut.

Tips & Warnings

• This design can also be used to sew a knitting needle holder if you knit or know someone who does.

References

• "Stitch 'n' Bitch"; Debbie Stoller; 2003