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ITH roll up pencil case
Author: Mandy Chamberlin Date Posted:9 January 2021
This tutorial will show you how to create a roll-up pencil case for the kids to store their pens and pencils. It's the perfect back to school project and is a great way to keep their stationery neat and tidy. With the fabric of your choice, we'll show you how to create this fun and useful gadget using the 'In-The-Hoop' embroidery method with no sewing required.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
- Washaway stabilizer
- Fabric Pieces x 2 - at least 21cm x 31cm each
- Hot Melt Web
- Cutaway Stabilizer (or Fusible Cutaway depending on your fabric type)
- Thread and matching colour bobbin
- Piece of elastic - approx. 20cm long x 2.5cm wide
- 200mm x 300mm (8x12") hoop or larger for your machine
- Small snip scissors
- Applique scissors
- Tape or pins to hold the elastic in place
- The design
THE EMBROIDERY DESIGN
You can make your own custom size to suit your pens/pencils/markers by simply creating a rectangle of the size you would like it to be and add button holes (you can find the button holes in the Create Layouts tab if you are using Wilcom Hatch)
Or you can grab a free version of the design here →
HOW TO MAKE A PEN ROLL ITH
Prep fabric and stabilizer – I used quilting cotton I had on hand so I added some cut away stabilizer to the back of each piece to give it a bit more body.
Hoop the wash away and head to your machine with your thread, matching bobbin and design.
Thread the machine and plug your USB in with your design (or transfer it by WI-FI if you have a WI-FI capable machine).
Stitch the first step (Step 1) – This is the placement line so you know where to put the first fabric piece face down on the hoop.
Stitch the next step (Step 2) which will tack down the first layer of fabric
Stitch the next step (Step 3) which is a placement line to show you where to place the elastic or ribbon – have it overlap around 1inch/2.5cm into the seam, the overlap will be secured down in a later step
Stitch the next step (Step 4) which will tack the elastic down
Place your next piece of fabric face up and stitch the next step (Step 5) which will tack all the layers together.
Trim all the excess fabric away from both layers of fabric – be careful not to cut the elastic/ribbon.
Stitch the next step (Step 5) which will add a reinforcement stitch for the elastic/ribbon and then finish off the entire edge of the project with a satin stitch.
Stitch the final step (Step 6) which will stitch the button holes.
Remove the project from the hoop and trip away the excess wash away stabilizer from around the edge of the design as well as on the side of the fabric which was face down in the hoop. Use some warm water to dab away at the bits of wash away which are left on the project and allow to dry.
Once dry, take your favourite snips or small scissors and cut open the centres of the button holes.
And you’re done! You can then add a decoration, name or saying with some HTV (heat transfer vinyl) as I have done.
About the Author Blurb
Mandy Chamberlin is an embroidery digitizer and sewing & embroidery enthusiast on a mission to spread the love for machine embroidery. Alongside her role as Echidna’s New Zealand Manager, Mandy also runs her own business, Veronica and Me Designs, where she offers digitizing and embroidery services both within New Zealand and around the world. You can find out more about Mandy’s role with Echidna on the Our Team page and/or connect with her through her personal About Me page.Free Embroidery Designs
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Echidna project material/ fabric requirements are an indication only and can seem to be generous. This has been intentional. Should you make a cutting or embroidery mistake you will have sufficient fabric to rectify your error.