Guess what today is? No. It's not my birthday. Nope. It's not my anniversary either. Groundhog Day has passed, and Valentine's isn't yet here. Give up? It's my bloggy birthday! I am ONE today. To celebrate I have whipped up a pencil roll tutorial for you. It seemed fitting since I've blogged lots of pencil rolls this year.
Most pencil rolls I see have flat pockets. I found that once I put the pencils in the pencil roll, it didn't lie flat and tidy. That makes me crazy. Does this bug anyone else? Please say it does.
I came up with a plan to do away with Wavy-Pencil-Roll syndrome once and for all. See how flat this is? Makes me happy.
Here's how I do it...
1. Eat two Dove Chocolate Promises. Any flavor will do, but I prefer the raspberry caramels. I'm serious about this. My pencil rolls never turn out if I forget this step.
2. Choose and cut your fabrics:
Fabric 1 (outer fabric): 9"x14" Color in sample-Pink Water Lily
Fabric 2 (inner fabric): 9"x14" Color in sample-Pink
Fabric 3 (pocket piece): 10 3/4" x 22" Color in sample-Pink and Red
Stripe
Fabric 4 (binding): 2" x enough to go around the roll Color in sample-
Green
Interfacing: 9" x 14" mid-weight
9"x14" heavy-weight (I use flannel and Wonder-under for
this.)
3. Fuse mid-weight facing to the outer fabric. Fuse heavy-weight facing to inner fabric. (Please ignore the stain on my ironing board cover.)
4. Fold pocket fabric in half lengthwise and press. (Continue to ignore the stain. I really must give the cover a wash.)
5. Time to mark your pieces. Start with the inner fabric (pink in my sample). Using a water soluble marker, make a line across the width 5 1/4" from the bottom edge. This line will be your guide for marking the top tick mark. Starting on the left edge, mark over 1" by putting a tick mark at the bottom edge of the pink inner piece and one right above the line you just drew. From this tick mark, measure over 5/8" and make another set of marks. Move over 5/8" and make another set of marks. Move over 5/8" and...Make 19 tick marks (counting the first one you made at 1") every 5/8" across the width of the fabric. After you make all your ticks, you should have a one-inch-plus-a-little-bit-more space on the right side of your piece. I usually trim this so that I have exactly one inch after my last tick mark. IF YOU TRIM THIS PIECE ON THE PINK INNER FABRIC, TRIM THE OUTER PIECE (Water Lily Fabric) TO THE EXACT SAME SIZE.
6. Now mark the pocket piece. Mark every inch across the width of the pocket piece by drawing a line from the folded edge to the bottom. This line will be your stitching line for the pockets so make sure you can see it well.
7. Let's make some pockets. Match the first line on the pocket piece to the first set of tick marks on the inner fabric. Stitch on the line you drew. Now for the first pocket. Match the second line you drew to the second set of tick marks. Pin. Stitch down the line. Tah-dah. First pocket is done. Repeat until all pockets are sewn.
8. Trim excess pocket fabric (See the extra in my picture?) even with the edge of the inner fabric. Snip threads and set this piece aside for a while. Whew. Do you need another chocolate yet?
9. Find the center of the outer fabric by folding the piece in half lengthwise and finger pressing. Two buttons need to be sewn on this center crease. Sew a small button 3/4" from the left edge. Sew a bigger button 5 3/4" from the left edge.
10. Put outer piece (Water Lily fabric) and inner piece (pink fabric with pockets sewn on) together with wrong sides facing each other. Baste around the edges.
11. Time to put the binding on. You can use my No Snit Binding tutorial if you want.
12. All that's left is the clasp. I use an elastic hair tie for this. Pinch the tie together. Wrap it with thread. Tie a knot. Viola. You have this.
13. Slip the tiny end of the elastic over the small button.
14. Fill the pockets with colored pencils and roll it up. Woohoo! You're done.
That pretty much does it. Go forth, sewing warriors, and create pencil rolls that lie flat. I'd love to see your creations. And as always, if you have a question, please ask.
Happy Day,
Cassie
So cute! I do have a question for you though? Why isn't your ironing board cover disgusting? When I get a new cover, it looks like new for approximately 23 1/2 hours.
Posted by: Maria | February 06, 2009 at 02:03 PM
Very Cool Ms. Go Girl! At last the mystery of the flat pocket solved. And oh, so pretty.
But, like Maria (and I swear, it was on my mind before I clicked over to comments) -- WHY isn't your ironing board cover disgusting??? And WHERE exactly does one get a stunning new ironing board cover such as yours??? I can only assume it has been made by the incredibly talented Go Girl hands herself!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | February 06, 2009 at 02:55 PM
Thanks for the great tutorial. I love how neatly everything is done and I realise that taking time to measure everything properly is where I go wrong. I just use my zipper foot and eyeball it when making the crayon pockets. It's just as well I don't use stripey fabric LOL
Beautiful work as always
;-)
Posted by: Ana | February 06, 2009 at 03:43 PM
What a fantastic tutorial! Thanks for taking the time to write this and photograph steps for it. You saved me...Isabella has a birthday party on Sunday and I have no idea what to get for the birthday girl. I'm hoping I have time to make this for her. And I totally agree with the flat pencil rolss that don't roll flat...it bugs me too because I have 2 crayon rolls.
Oh, by the way, I prefer the regular Dove Milk Chocolates, but I might try the raspberry ones.
Posted by: Marie | February 06, 2009 at 03:49 PM
Beautiful!! thank you so much I can't wait to try it!!!!
Posted by: Nicole Falk | February 06, 2009 at 04:06 PM
What a fun tutorial! Congrats on your Blog-a-versary!
btw . . . Love the Big Daddy Weave :-)
Posted by: Pam | February 06, 2009 at 05:49 PM
Congratulations on the bloversary!!! Thanks for a great tutorial - love the mandatory chocolate!
Posted by: Lisa | February 07, 2009 at 04:35 AM
Great tutorial! especially the step involving chocolate. My kind of girl! I love these fabrics, which I have been saving in my stash for something.
Posted by: Terriaw | February 07, 2009 at 11:33 AM
thanks for the tutorial.
I have made pencil rolls before where you turn and topostitch, but I love the binding around it> I think it looks awesome.
Posted by: julie | February 07, 2009 at 03:42 PM
Wow - you really do inspire me to get my sewing machine out. The thing is I start off as you say but I never seem to get passed step 1... ;)
Posted by: Gemma | February 07, 2009 at 03:57 PM
Congratulations on your one year anniversary! I so enjoy your blog...you always brighten my day! Blessings to you!
Posted by: meg | February 08, 2009 at 01:40 PM
Thank you for the how-to!
I love your ironing board cover! I would almost want to iron if mine looked like that!
Posted by: randi | February 08, 2009 at 09:06 PM
Just super - like everything you make. Love it. Love my little snap wallet. Thank you! Love the fat quarter too. Can you believe I needed that color and the minute I opened the package it was used just like that! Thank you.
Posted by: Nanette | February 10, 2009 at 04:02 PM
Happy 1 year blogaversary! Thanks, too, for the tutorial. I love how you used an elastic hairband for the closure. I would have never thought of that.
I, too, would love to know where you got the beautiful ironing board cover.
Posted by: Amanda | February 10, 2009 at 05:46 PM
Very nice tutorial! I've linked to it from Craft Gossip Sewing Blog:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-how-to-sew-a-crayon-roll/2009/03/06/
--Anne
Posted by: Anne | March 06, 2009 at 09:20 AM
Thanks for this tute -- I just made some with nice blue combos for a young lass in NZ, but I'm scared of binding so I did a turn & stitch. Still works nice and flat! Thanks!
Posted by: Neala | March 20, 2009 at 12:07 AM
Terrific tutu and I like to keep Lindors milk chocolate truffles around when I'm working on big sewing projects! :0)
Posted by: Melissa | March 28, 2009 at 09:23 AM
thanks a bunch for this tutorial
i can't wait to do it!:)
Posted by: fitz | June 23, 2009 at 05:08 AM
Just wanted to let you know that I've just done my second pencil roll from this tute, and actually conquered my fear of binding. (After a couple of hours viewing every binding tute on the web!!) Thanks again.
Posted by: Neala | July 16, 2009 at 06:38 AM
Hi could you make me one if i supply the chocolates lol Great tutorial !
Posted by: Gill | September 15, 2009 at 03:25 PM
Thank you for letting the rest of us inside your kreative brain:)
Posted by: Ragnhild | October 19, 2009 at 06:42 AM
thank you for this delightful tutorial, I am looking forward to making one for my pencils.
Posted by: Sue Niven | January 04, 2010 at 01:29 AM
Thanks for a great tutorial, heres my take on it http://hereswhatididtoday.blogspot.com/2010/01/rainbow-roll.html
Posted by: Louise Gilbert | January 10, 2010 at 01:54 PM
Thank you so much for this tutorial.
http://loveinthehome.wordpress.com/2010/01/31/this-weeks-projects/
Posted by: Christy | January 31, 2010 at 12:36 PM
This looks fantastic, and so easy! Can't wait to try it!
Posted by: Natalie Russell | April 01, 2010 at 04:17 PM
try as I might I simply cannot get past step 1
Posted by: Jane | May 29, 2010 at 08:10 PM
could you PLEASE put this on etsy & I can buy it! PLEASE! I want to make one, but I know it won't turn out this gorgeous.I love this colored pencil roll you've made & would love it even more if it belonged to me. make another & sell it!!
Posted by: Rachel | June 07, 2010 at 08:46 PM
I only had Hershey's hugs for step one but those worked. Made one of these last night for a birthday today. The hairband and button clasp is perfect - will be easy for the little girl who is getting it.
Posted by: Ann | June 27, 2010 at 08:29 AM
So much fun to make! I've adapted the directions, though, after attempting binding the first time. Whew! Now, I sew ribbon into the seam and turn the whole thing right side out, then topstitch all the way around. They make a GREAT birthday gift when filled with watercolor pencils or twist-up colors and paired with a Do You Doodle book!
Posted by: Holly | August 03, 2010 at 06:47 PM
How many pockets for pencils are there when the project is completed?
Posted by: rebecca | August 08, 2010 at 03:42 PM
Love the this! just wondering where you got the fabric from?
Posted by: Lucy | August 10, 2010 at 04:45 PM
cool
Posted by: clara | November 07, 2010 at 07:07 AM
Great tutorial!!
Here is my version
http://flic.kr/p/9cPgRZ
Posted by: Clau | January 24, 2011 at 10:54 AM
Fabulous tutorial - thanks!
I also dislike flat pockets so this may be the tute that actually makes me do it! The elastic is nicer than ties too - I may need to make the pencil roll and a knitting needle roll :)
Posted by: Sarah | May 03, 2011 at 03:11 AM
I made one today for my granddaughter. It was so quick and easy and looks fantastic. Thanks for the great tutorial :-)
Posted by: Julie | October 04, 2011 at 08:30 AM
So as I understand it this holds 20 colored pencils. Would it make the roll gigantic if you altered it to hold a standard 24 count? Thanks for the great tutorial!
Posted by: Jennifer | December 05, 2011 at 10:27 AM
Would it be okay if instead of medium weight interfacing i used heavy weight interfacing? Would this affect the design or the way the roll works?
Posted by: Sophie | December 06, 2011 at 04:16 AM
Best tutorial I have seen!! I am going to trial two of these for my kids as pencil cases for school and monitor how much of their own stationery they actually use. I love how neat they look and LOVE organisation!! Could you recommend how I could attach a top flap so the pencils definately will not fall out if carried upside down? Thanks again ♥ Fiona
Posted by: Fiona Ginbey | January 23, 2012 at 05:47 PM
i love the tutorial, but i found having a PATTERNED ironing cover (in the photos), makes a busy background for a tutorial that uses PATTERNED fabric.
Your sense of humour and detail is greatly appreciated.
Chocolate is a great motivator, ha ha
i hope i can make a pencil roll half as good as yours.
Posted by: Gigi Smyth | February 14, 2012 at 05:45 AM
I think I'm going to try this with my crochet hooks.
Posted by: A Mom's Choice | March 16, 2012 at 01:42 PM
Hi Cassie, I was greatly inspired by this lovely tutorial to make a crochet hook roll. It is not half as pretty and neat as yours, but it is a first for me. I have linked back to your tutorial in case others would like to make it too. I love your crochet edged pillowcases. Do visit me when ever you are free. Reading your blog makes me wish I had a girl too.
Regards.
Posted by: Sangeetha | July 18, 2012 at 04:28 AM
Trying this today as my first non-supervised sewing project! I learned to sew from my grandmother when I was about 10; that was almost two decades ago and I've only just decided to pick it up again so thank you for the easy to understand tutorial. Wish me luck!
Posted by: Alicia | May 18, 2013 at 12:53 PM
I really dont know how to do the binding
Posted by: Diana | June 02, 2013 at 02:38 PM
Thank you! I love that the pencils have their own pocket so it lies flat! I have linked to you on my site - http://alittlebirdmademe.com/2013/10/04/friday-finds-a-list-of-diy-gift-ideas-for-a-9-year-old-girl-with-links-to-tutorials/
Posted by: Theresa | October 04, 2013 at 05:27 AM
Looks great, but I am wondering what happens when you sew the bottom of the pockets? There is extra fabric on the top so do you flatten all the pencil pockets down in one direction or pleat them or just let the fall how they will. I can't see the bottoms of yours in the photo. Thanks :)
Posted by: Daniela | July 04, 2014 at 06:47 AM