Easy Sew Pencil Case ~ Tutorial ~ No Zipper Needed

When I think of pencil cases, a zippered pouch usually springs to mind, or maybe a pencil roll. In reality, any container the right shape can be used to store and carry pencils. Today I'm going to show you how to easily make a simple, lined drawstring pencil pouch.

The plastic / vinyl / neoprene zippered pouches, so common now, are a relatively recent invention. As young kids, we had wooden boxes to hold our pencils. They never wore out, so no need to buy a new one for school each year.  

With a finished size of roughly 10" x 4", the pencil pouch will comfortably hold a set of 12 pencils.

Materials:

• 2 pieces - 9½" x 5" (24cm x 13cm) - main fabric
• 2 pieces - 9½" x 5" (24cm x 13cm) - lining fabric
• 2 pieces - 2" x 5½" (5cm x 14cm) - contrast fabric for drawstring casing
• 2 lengths of cord, tape or ribbon - 13" - drawstring

Instructions:

All seams are ⅜"(1cm), unless otherwise indicated. I didn't need to use any pins when making this bag. If you find you need to pin the seams...

• pin
• baste (hand sew with a long stitch)
• remove pins
• stitch seam with machine
• remove basting

Drawstring Casing:

• Fold short ends over ¼" and finger press.
• Fold ¼" again and stitch
• Fold in half lengthwise with wrong sides together. 
• Finger press

Attach Casing to Exterior Fabric:

• Centre raw edge of casing on right side of exterior fabric.
• Stitch with ⅛" seam.
• Repeat for 2nd side.

Sew Exterior Fabric:

• With right sides together, sew side and bottom seams. Be careful NOT to catch the casing in the seam. If necessary, use a ¼" seam allowance. Mine was fine with a seam allowance of ⅜".
• Neaten edges.

Sew Lining:

• With right sides together sew side and bottom seams.
• Leave a 2" - 3" gap in the bottom seam.

Attach Lining to Exterior:

• Turn exterior fabric right side out.
• Leave lining inside out.
• Place the exterior inside the lining. ie: the right side of the exterior is next to the right side of the lining.
• Line up the top edges of the lining and the exterior.

• Sew the top edges of lining and exterior, matching side seams. This bit might be a little fiddly, as the opening is quite small. If you need to, baste the lining and exterior together before machining.
• Neaten seam.

Turn Bag Right Side Out:

• Put your fingers through the hole in the bottom of the lining.
• Gently pull the right side of the bag out through the lining.

Close Gap:

• Close the gap in the lining by edge stitching, or hand stitch if you prefer.

Topstitching:

• Push the lining back into the bag.
• Press or finger press the top edge of the bag.
• Topstitch ⅛" from the edge, around the top of the main fabric, using a slightly longer stitch.

Drawstring:

• Thread the first cord through the entire drawstring casing. Both ends of the cord will come out of the same opening.
• Repeat with the second cord and the second opening.
• Knot the ends of each cord.

That's it! Your drawstring pencil pouch is finished. Of course, it doesn't have to be used just for pencils. I don't crochet, but I think it would be a good size for crochet hooks.

Alter the dimensions and this bag could become storage for any manner of items. You could even use it as a gift bag.

As you can see, I made two drawstring pencil pouches. Each was part of a larger gift. Stay tuned for another tutorial.

If you make a drawstring pencil pouch using this tutorial,, I'd love to see photos:

• Leave me a link in the comments
• Add to the ongoing Drawstring Bags link party, here at Threading My Way.
• Tag me on Instagram - @threadingmyway
• Send me an email - link at top right of blog
• Contact me on Facebook
• Add to the Threading My Way ~ Sewn by YOU Flickr group

For more drawstring bag ideas and inspiration...

Can you remember your favourite pencil case as a child?

... Pam

Because of the drawstring cord, this bag is not suitable for children under 3 years of age.

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