Wrapping Pencil Case

Simple Pencil case you can sew yourself . I've made these as office gifts this year, I work in a design practice; finding gifts for designers that are affordable is hard. I've used off cut scraps and out of production fabric sample book swatches. To bring down the costs and grabbed some affordable jumbo pencils to fill the slots with. You could also use this method for paint brushes, or camping untencils. You will need to adapt the size and elastic spacing is accordingly.

Acknowledgments : I've built this design of of a pencil case a I bought by Lamy and mixed in with a case a friend had bye - Derwent, for pens.

For the Projects :

• 2 matching piece of fabric - ( I've used quite heavy fabric , we ordinarily use for furnishings pillows/ furniture coverings) if you don't have anything heavy you may thicken it up with a piece of facing the same size as the inner piece.

inner ( 20cm x 30cm )

outer ( allow for a plus minus 2cm seem) ( 25cm x 35cm ) or greater. I usually pin first then cut to size.

• 40cm of fabric sewing elastic approx. 2cm wide , white or black ( to match)
• 1/2 Meter of ribbon or binding.
• a set of pencil crayons ( for spacing out the elastic band.)
• cotton to match/or contract your fabric

Other requirements :

• Pins
• Hand sewing needles
• Good sharp scissors able to cut fabric
• Basic knowledge of hand sewing techniques ( tacking and running stitch or blanket stitch of you are going to sew it by hand)
• Sewing machine. ( is advantageous but not essential, if you have good hand sewing ability )

• Begin about 1cm away from the edge of the fabric and fold the elastic over, to start leave about 3 cm before you next pin. ( In oder to include space for an eraser or sharpener).
• after the second pin, lay the pencil down and drape the elastic over the top, this does not have to be super stretched a little will hold the pencil. pin to the other side. Continue until you run out of pencils or fabric. I've used a standard 12 pencil pack and sharpener for this tutorial. Which works well for the fabric size, but I have also made longer one's in the past you will need to extend the length of your fabric to do so.
• Remove the pencils . ( I leave the pencils in during this step so as to weigh down the fabric, other wise it tends to start pulling out during pinning.

• Thread a standard sewing needle with cotton to match the elastic. ( a long one will be easier but not essential)
• beginning at the back of the fabric - pull the needle through as close to the fabric as possible and then do a small running stick , such as you might use to sew a button on. Repeat 3 or 4 times to ensure the point is secure. continue to the other side and repeat.
• Remove the pin and start again at the next pin. You need not be to worried about what the back looks like as it will be hidden in the end.
• continue to stitch each side of the pinned points until you have finish them all.

• Turn the outer fabric face down and place the inner on top. using 2 or 3 pin points pin the fabric together to prevent shifting.
• Ensure that the gap around is even- and will allows for a double turn over. Trim to size if needed.
• Fold over twice so the first fold in in line with the inner fabric. Pin the length of the side and repeat on all sides.Continue around.
• Thread a needle with cotton and using a loose running stitch tack around. once you reach the end. Remove all the pins.
• Flip over and fold the ribbon in half and tack onto the center of the back.

• Get your sewing machine out. and thread with your matching or contrasting cotton.
• Set to strait stitch on a medium tension. Sew the whole way around. When you get to the ribbon revers and go over again to ensure it is securely fixed.
• If you are working by hand, use what ever stitch you ordinarily would. I recommend a blanket stitch as it is the most firm especially is you do a fine stitch.
• Remove the tacking with a quick unpick or scissors if you do not have one.
• sew in or trim of all ends.

• Finishing the corners, with most fabric you will see that the corners may have come loose or be sticking a little out. With standard fabric you will be able to tuck them back in the a need or scissors end.
• If your fabric is inclined to fray out. You may want to tuck the corner in and close them off with tight blanket stitching. and pull the cotton through before finishing off to ensure they don't come loose with use.

• I've filled mine with a set up jumbo pencils but you could adapt it to your needs, markers, paint brushes or pens as needed.
• Roll it up and tie the ribbon in bow.
• I've angel cut the ends to prevent fraying. You may also wish to sew a seem on the ends if you prefer.

Hope you've found this tutorial helpfull.