Sewing pencil case: simple instructions for beginners

Sew a pencil case yourself? Easy!

A pencil case for pens or travel utensils is practical and quickly stowed away in a backpack or handbag. The blog "Der Fadenfuchs" has created a simple guide that we can introduce to you here!

Material for the pencil case

For the pencil case you need:

Sew pencil case – the cut

Before you start sewing, cut the fabrics as follows:

The outer fabric is made from the 3 parts sewn together, how, you will find out in the instructions. First you iron the fleece line on the inner fabric.

Sew a pencil case – simple instructions

Step 1: sew the outer fabric together

Now we sew the outer fabric together. To do this, place part of the outer fabric on the long side of the cork leather, right and right, and pin it in place. You do the same with the other piece of fabric on the other side. Sew on both sides with a seam allowance of 0.75 cm.

When you have sewn on both sides, you have to open the sides and iron them flat. I then stitched the sides again (without sewing back and forth at the beginning / end), but you can also just leave it as it is or attach a ribbon over the seam as an ornament.

Step 2: sew on the zipper

Next, the zipper is sewn on. To do this, open it and place it on one of the longer sides of the outer fabric with the teeth down and pin it.

You can now sew the zipper on with a zipper foot. You must not sew too close to the teeth.

Step 3: sew in the inner fabric

Now the inner fabric is placed on the outer fabric right to right. Then you turn the whole thing over and sew the seam of the outer fabric.

Next, you can flip the sides out and iron the seam. Then you quilt the fabrics on the zipper (without sewing at the beginning / end back and forth) so that nothing can get caught later when opening or closing and blocking the zipper.

To sew the other side to the zipper, just hit the outer fabric on the top of the closed zipper and pin it in place. To sew, you can turn the whole thing over again so that you can better see the teeth and sew along.

When you have sewn on the outer fabric, flip the inner fabric on the other side, pin it and sew the seam of the outer fabric again.

Step 4: turn

Then you open the zipper (ATTENTION with endless zippers that have an open end, do not pull too far! I always put a clip on both ends). Now pull the outer and inner fabric through the opening so that the outer fabric is on the outside and the inner fabric is on the inside. You can now iron and stitch the seam on the zipper again, as on the other side.

Step 5: sew short sides together

So that the pencil case can be finished, you have to turn it so that the outer fabric is on the inside and the inner fabric is on the outside. Then close the zipper in half and place the short sides on top of each other so that the zipper is in the middle. Sew the short sides together. Sew back and forth at the points of the zipper so that it cannot open afterwards. You can then cut back the ends of the zipper.

Note: At this point you can sew in a loop on the short sides between the outer and inner fabric in the middle, i.e. under the zip, so that opening and closing is easier afterwards.

Step 6: give shape

To give the pencil case a shape, press in the corners so that triangles form. The seam allowance should point away from the zipper. You pin that with clips or needles. With a ruler you measure 6 cm, whereby 3 cm should be approximately the middle, i.e. the seam. Here you draw a line with a pencil. You repeat this on all four corners. Then you sew along the lines.

You can cut back the corners, but not cut too close to the seam. Then turn the bag so that the outer fabric is on the outside and you're done!

Did you like the project? On our DIY theme page you will find more exciting ideas to do yourself, such as sewing ideas for beginners, sewing gifts or the best instructions for knitting!