Are you tired of searching for that one colored pencil? Do your art supplies or crochet hooks live in a messy pile? Let’s fix that with a fun and creative project. Today, we’re going to learn how to sew a fabric pencil roll.
This project is perfect for beginners and a fantastic way to use up those pretty fabric scraps you’ve been saving. It’s more than just a DIY pencil holder; you can change it to fit knitting needles, makeup brushes, or small tools.
In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know. We’ll cover the materials, the cutting, and the sewing. By the end, you’ll have a beautiful and useful roll up pencil case that you made yourself!
What You’ll Need: Your DIY Pencil Holder Shopping List
Before we start sewing, let’s gather our supplies. Don’t worry, the list is simple. Most of these things are common in a basic sewing kit. This table shows you exactly what you need for this fabric pencil case project.
| Material | Size / Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Outer Fabric | One piece, 8.5″ x 22″ | This is the pretty fabric you’ll see on the outside. |
| Lining Fabric | One piece, 8.5″ x 22″ | This will be the main fabric on the inside. |
| Pocket Flap Fabric | One piece, 3.5″ x 22″ | This creates the pocket your pencils will tuck into. |
| Batting or Interfacing | One piece, 8.5″ x 22″ | This gives your pencil roll a soft, sturdy feel. |
| Fabric for Tie | One piece, 1.5″ x 40″ | Or you can use a 40-inch piece of ribbon instead. |
| Binding Fabric | Two strips, 2.5″ x 42″ | This will create the clean, finished edge. |
| Elastic | One piece, 3/4″ wide x 40″ long | This holds your pencils. Wider elastic works well too! |
| Basic Sewing Supplies | All-purpose thread, fabric marker, ruler, scissors, pins or clips. | Just the usual tools for any sewing project. |
Part 1: Creating the Small Pieces
Every good project starts with preparing the smaller parts first. It makes the final assembly much easier. Let’s make the tie and the inner pocket flap.
Making Your Fabric Tie
The tie keeps your pencil roll neatly closed. To make it, take your long, skinny piece of fabric. First, fold the two short ends in by about a quarter of an inch and press them with an iron.
Next, fold the long sides in so they meet in the middle. Press that fold. Then, fold the whole strip in half one more time, hiding the raw edges inside. You now have a neat, skinny tie. Take it to your sewing machine and sew a straight line right along the open edge to close it up.
If you want to save time, you can use a 40-inch piece of ribbon instead!
Sewing the Inner Pocket Flap
This little flap will create a pocket at the bottom of your pencil roll. It stops your pencils from sliding out.
Take your pocket flap fabric piece. Fold it in half the long way, so it becomes a long, skinny rectangle. Press it flat with your iron. To make it look extra nice, sew a straight stitch about 1/8 of an inch from the folded edge. This is called topstitching. Set this piece aside for now.
Part 2: Assembling the Main Pencil Roll
Now for the main event! We’re going to build the inside of the pencil roll, add the elastic loops, and put all our layers together. This part is really where your scrap fabric project comes to life.
Building the Inside Panel & Sewing the Elastic
Let’s make the part that will hold the pencils. Lay your piece of batting on your table. Place your lining fabric on top of it, with the pretty side facing up. A little spray adhesive can help hold these layers together, but it’s not required.
Now, grab a ruler and a fabric marker. We need to draw a straight line across the fabric where the elastic will go. A good spot is about 4.25 inches up from the bottom edge.
Next, you need to mark where each stitch will go on that line. These stitches will create the little loops for your pencils. Start about 2 inches from the side edge. Make a small mark. From that mark, make a new mark every 3/8 of an inch. Keep going all the way across, stopping about 2 inches from the other end.
Take your elastic and line it up with the bottom raw edge of your fabric. Sew the end of the elastic down right where your first mark is. To make it strong, sew back and forth a few times. This is called backstitching.
Now for the fun part. Place a pencil next to your first stitch. Fold the elastic over the pencil to see how big the loop needs to be. Hold it with your finger, remove the pencil, and sew your next line on the next mark. Repeat this process all the way across. Just sew, loop, and sew again. This is the core of this roll up pencil case tutorial. When you reach the end, trim off any extra elastic.
Putting the Layers Together
Your inside panel is almost done! Take the pocket flap you made earlier. Line up its raw edges with the raw edges at the bottom of your inside panel. The topstitched edge of the flap should be pointing up. Use a few clips to hold it in place.
Now, we need to stitch the flap down in a few places so it doesn’t flop around. Find a few of your elastic stitch lines and sew a straight line down from that stitch to the bottom of the fabric. Do this every 5 inches or so.
It’s time to make our sewing “sandwich.” Lay your outer fabric on the table, pretty side facing down. Place your finished inside panel on top, with the elastic and pocket facing up.
Finally, let’s add the tie. Find the middle of one of the short ends of your pencil roll. Place the end of your fabric tie there, with the rest of the tie lying across the middle of your project. Pin it in place, about 1.75 inches in from the edge. Sew a small box with an “X” in the middle to attach the tie securely. This will make it very strong.
Part 3: The Finishing Touch – How to Sew Binding
Binding gives your project a beautiful, professional-looking edge. This is a great skill to learn!
First, take your two binding strips and sew them together at one end to make one very long strip. Press that seam open with your iron. Now, fold the entire long strip in half lengthwise and press it.
Lay your pencil roll down with the inside panel (the lining) facing up. Start in the middle of one of the long sides. Line up the raw edge of your binding with the raw edge of your pencil roll. Leave a few inches of the binding loose as a “tail.” Start sewing the binding on with a quarter-inch seam.
When you get close to a corner, stop about a quarter-inch from the edge. Lift your sewing machine’s foot, turn the fabric 45 degrees, and sew off the corner.
To make a neat corner, fold the binding strip straight up. Then, fold it back down along the next edge of your project. This creates a little triangle fold in the corner. Start sewing the next side right from the top edge. Repeat this for all four corners.
Once you’ve sewn all the way around, stop a few inches from where you started. Overlap your two binding tails, trim the extra, and sew the tails together. Finish sewing that last little section of binding onto your project.
Now, flip the whole thing over. Fold the binding over the raw edge to the front of your project. Use clips to hold it in place. The folded corners should make a nice mitered corner. Finally, sew very close to the edge of the binding all the way around to secure it.
FAQs
How to roll a pencil roll?
First, put your pencils in the loops. Start rolling from the end without the tie. Roll it up nice and tight. Then, wrap the long tie around the roll. Tuck the end of the tie under itself to keep it closed.
What is the best fabric to make a pencil case out of?
Strong fabrics are best for a pencil case. Cotton canvas is a great choice. Denim is also very strong and durable. For this project, quilting cotton works perfectly. It is easy to sew and comes in many fun colors.
How to make a pencil case without sewing?
You can use fabric glue. It is a good way to stick fabric together. You can also use iron-on hem tape. You use a hot iron to seal the edges. Follow the same steps, but use glue or tape instead of a sewing machine.
How to make a cloth pencil box?
A cloth pencil box needs to be very stiff. You must use a thick material inside called interfacing. This helps the box hold its shape. Most cloth pencil boxes also use a zipper. A pencil roll is much easier for a beginner to make.
How do you roll a pen?
You roll a pen inside this case just like a pencil. Put the pen into one of the elastic loops. Then, roll the fabric up tightly. The steps are exactly the same for pens or pencils.
Conclusion: Your Beautiful New Pencil Roll!
You did it! You have successfully learned how to sew a fabric pencil roll. You now have a beautiful, custom case to keep your supplies organized. You practiced straight stitching, topstitching, and even how to sew binding with mitered corners.
This is a wonderful beginner sewing project that you can make again and again as a thoughtful, handmade gift.
What Will You Create Next?
Now that your new pencil holder is finished, what will you put inside? Colored pencils, crochet hooks, or something else? We’d love to see what you made! Share a picture or tell us about it in the comments below.