Sew a DIY Pencil Case

Sew a DIY Pencil Case

Sew a DIY Pencil Case

I love pens and pencils.  I have loads of them around the house so I thought it was time to round them up and put them in one place where I could actually find them.  So I decided to create this super simple diy pencil case that can be made with basic sewing skills in about a half hour. Once again I used some remnants that I had on hand to create this triangle pencil case.  You could also use fat quarters for this project.  If you don’t have remnants head over to Hobby Lobby or Fabric.com to purchase exactly the fabric you would like for your project. I love ordering fabrics online because of the fantastic selection and quick delivery.  This post contains affiliate links that if you click on them and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. 

What you will Need:   

  • Pattern
  • Remnant or Fat quarter of exterior Fabric
  • Remnant or Fat quarter of lining Fabric
  • 7″ zipper
  • Standard sewing supplies

Step 1:  Sew a DIY Pencil Case

Print out the pattern.  Cut two outer pieces and two lining pieces. Cut two 1″ x 1″ squares of outer fabric.

Step 2:  Sew a DIY Pencil Case

Create zipper tabs.  To do this simply take one of the 1″ squares and place it right sides together on the end of the zipper and sew it just below the zipper stop making sure not to hit the metal stop.  Fold back the tab and press. Measure up 6 3/4″ from the first tab and place the second tab. Make sure that the zipper pull has been pulled down in rests between the two zipper tabs.  Sew the second zipper tap and press. Cut off any excess zipper tape.  

Sew a DIY Pencil Case
Add the zipper tabs

Step 3:  Sew a DIY Pencil Case

Lay the lining piece right side up on your work space.  Place the zipper wrong sides together with the lining and then place the outer fabric right side down.  You should have a zipper sandwich with the lining and outer fabric right sides together and the zipper in between.  Sew through all layers near the zipper teeth using a zipper foot.  You will move your needle to the left to get close to the zipper teeth.  Repeat on the other side of the zipper using the other lining and outer pieces.  

Sew a DIY Pencil Case
Add the zipper
Sew a DIY pencil case
Sandwich the zipper

Step 4:  Sew a DIY Pencil Case

Once you have sewn the zipper press the sides open so that the zipper is in the middle. Top stitch along the zipper for a more professional finish and to prevent the fabric from catching in the zipper.  

Sew a DIY Pencil Case
Top stitch along both sides of the zipper

Step 5:  Sew a DIY Pencil Case

Unzip the zipper. Fold the two outer pieces right sides together and the two lining pieces right sides together and pin.  Sew around the lining and the outer fabric using a 1/4″ seam allowance leaving the corners open and an opening in the lining for turning. 

Sew a DIY Pencil Case
Sew around the bag

Step 6:  Sew a DIY Pencil Case

Box all four corners by pinching the bottom and sides together and sewing along the straight line you created using a 1/4″ seam allowance.  

Sew a DIY Pencil Case
Box the Corners

Step 7:  Sew a DIY Pencil Case

Turn the case right sides out through the opening in the lining and the open zipper.  Stitch the opening in the lining closed using ladder stitch.  You have now completed your diy pencil case.  Just fill it with pens and pencils and you are on your way.  

Sew a DIY Pencil Case
Finished Pencil Case

Sew a DIY Pencil Case

If you would like to make these fun pens head over to my tutorial on how to make polymer clay pens or if you would like a fun journal to go with your pencil case and pens try out my turn a composition book into a beautiful journal post.  

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Sew a DIY Pencil Case

Sew a DIY Pencil Case

Yield: 1
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Active Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated Cost: $5

A flat bottomed, zippered pencil case

Materials

  • Remnant or fat quarter of outer fabric
  • Remnant or fat quarter of lining fabric
  • 7" zipper

Tools

  • Sewing Machine

Instructions

  1. Print out the pattern. Cut two outer pieces and two lining pieces. Cut two 1" x 1" squares of outer fabric.
  2. Create zipper tabs. To do this simply take one of the 1" squares and place it right sides together on the end of the zipper and sew it just below the zipper stop making sure not to hit the metal stop. Fold back the tab and press. Measure up 6 3/4" from the first tab and place the second tab. Make sure that the zipper pull has been pulled down in rests between the two zipper tabs. Sew the second zipper tap and press. Cut off any excess zipper tape.  
  3. Lay the lining piece right side up on your work space. Place the zipper wrong sides together with the lining and then place the outer fabric right side down. You should have a zipper sandwich with the lining and outer fabric right sides together and the zipper in between. Sew through all layers near the zipper teeth using a zipper foot. You will move your needle to the left to get close to the zipper teeth. Repeat on the other side of the zipper using the other lining and outer pieces. 
  4. Once you have sewn the zipper press the sides open so that the zipper is in the middle. Top stitch along the zipper for a more professional finish and to prevent the fabric from catching in the zipper.  
  5.  Unzip the zipper. Fold the two outer pieces right sides together and the two lining pieces right sides together and pin. Sew around the lining and the outer fabric using a 1/4" seam allowance leaving the corners open and an opening in the lining for turning. 
  6. Box all four corners by pinching the bottom and sides together and sewing along the straight line you created using a 1/4" seam allowance.  
  7.  Turn the case right sides out through the opening in the lining and the open zipper. Stitch the opening in the lining closed using ladder stitch. You have now completed your diy pencil case. Just fill it with pens and pencils and you are on your way. 
 

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2 Comments

  1. Hello, I want to make thisbut only have 10 inch zips. Do I just elongate the pattern or do I need to make it overall bigger?

    1. You can use the 10″ zip and simply shorten it. Follow the instruction and place the first zipper tab at the bottom. Place the zipper pull in the middle of the zipper. Measure up 6 3/4″ from the first zipper tab as described and place the second zipper tab and stitch. This will serve as the top of the zipper. once the second zipper tab has been stitched simple cut off the excess zipper and you have shortened your 10″ zipper to the length that you need. Let me know if you need any additional help. I am here if you need me.

Looking Forward to Reading your Thoughts on this Project

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