Tutorial: Gathered Pencil Roll

My mom teaches some of the children at my church, and she has needed something to keep pencils in.  I came up with this, and gave it to her for mother’s day.

So, it looks like a crayon roll, and you’ve seen millions of those on blog land.  What’s so special about this one?  I’ll show you!

The back has a gathered look, like this clutch!!!  Perfect for a “big person,” pencil roll.  I made a clutch (which I’ll show in an upcoming post), along with this roll.  You can make your own!  Here’s how: (the fabric is layered, so all three pieces on the left measure 8’’ X 9’’)
Cut fabric:
2 pieces 8’’ X 9’’ (one for pocket, and one for “lining”)
1 piece 13’’ X 9’’
1 piece 4’’ X 9’’ (for strip across back)1 piece fusible interfacing 8’’ X 9’’
1 piece of ribbon (I used 7/8’’ grosgrain, 23 inches long---I would recommend using longer---especially if being used by a kid!)

First, take your 4’’ X 9’’ strip, fold RIGHT sides together, sew into a tube with 1/2’’ seam.  Then turn right side out, and set aside.
Second, take your 13’’ X 9’’ piece.  On the 9’’ sides, measure and mark at 3.5 inches and 4.5 inches.  Do this at both ends of the fabric.  Then set your sewing machine to the longest stitch length in order to gather.  Sew a line at 3.5 inches, and 4.5 inches.  DO NOT BACKSTICH! :)  Then pull one string on each seam to gather your fabric till it measures 9 inches.
Third, turn on your iron!

Fourth, take your 4 X 9’’ strip and fold it so the seam is in the middle.  Press it this way.  The picture above can help you!

Fifth, attach your fusible interfacing to the WRONG side of your gathered 13 X 9 piece.  Then set the 4 X9 strip on top of the gathered piece where your stitches are.  Set your sewing machine to a smaller stitch! Sew the strip to the gathered piece, like the picture shows.

Take the 8’’ X 9’’ piece you’ll use for the pocket.  Fold it in half, so you’ll have a rectangle measuring 9 inches X 4 inches.  Set it on top of the piece intended for the “lining.”  If you folded it right, the edges will match up.  Pin the pocket to your lining.  Then, starting at 1/2 inch, mark on each inch.  You’ll have eight    1- inch spaces to hold 8 pencils, and 1/2 inch clearance on each side. (If you look closely, you can see my marks in the picture below)
On each mark, sew a line from the rough edge of the fabric (bottom), to the folded edge of your pocket (top).  Make sure you backstitch at each end of each pocket!
Ninth,  take both panels and put RIGHT sides together.  Sew around the whole thing, leaving about a 4 inch gap for turning.  Turn the material so it’s right side out, then stitch up the hole and topstitch around the whole thing.  During the top stitching, you can slip in your ribbon piece for tying the roll shut.  I attached it afterwards, but it would fit nicely in this step.

A few things I learned:  When adding your ribbon, keep it as close to the edges as possible so you don’t sew a pocket shut!  I almost did (oops!)
This roll will fit pens and mechanical pencils nicely, but if you have brand new regular pencils, you will need to make the panels a bit taller.  I underestimated when thinking about seam allowances.
You’re finished!  Enjoy!  If I left something out, please let me know!
Linked to these parties!