Sewing With Teens: How to Sew a Boxy Pencil Case Tutorial

January 3, 2021 by Lauren Linen 17026 7

Who doesn’t need a good looking, sturdy pencil case? Or maybe two or three, make it four and call it a makeup bag. Intricate detailing and geometry challenge teenagers to elevate their sewing beyond simple straight lines. This is also a great introduction to sewing zippers, and the non-traditional and simple method for inserting it helps ease their fear of zippers.

The extra weight of the 4C22 Heavyweight linen gives this pencil case enough structure to stand on its own and hold its boxy shape. Add an individual touch by naturally dyeing your fabrics and experiment with techniques such as Shibori, a Japanese method for resist dyeing fabrics by tying, sewing, and pressing fabric between objects to create a pattern.

We used 1/2 yard of FS SHADOW GREY Softened Heavyweight Linen for the Main Fabric, and 1/2 yard of FS MIX NATURAL Softened Heavyweight Linen for the lining.

Matching sewing thread, 7″ zipper, medium weight fusible interfacing 1/4 yard.

Materials

Fabric marker, scissors, pins, ruler, zipper foot, iron, sewing machine

Difficulty

Intermediate

Sewing Time

3-4 hours

Pattern

You can access the printable PDF cutting guide by following this link HERE. All seam allowances are included and are 1/2” (1.3 cm) unless otherwise specified.

Steps

1. Apply interfacing to the wrong side of the outer piece 1 according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Transfer markings for the zipper opening on the interfacing (wrong side)

2. Place the pencil case outer and lining right sides together and sew the rectangle. Cut a line down the middle 1/4” away from each end. Clip the corners as shown. Lightly press the seam allowances open.

3. Push the lining through the hole you have just cut and flatten in line with the outer. Press.

4. Pin the zipper to the right side of the lining. Using a zipper foot, secure the zipper to the opening using 1/8 topstitch, moving the zipper pull out of the way as needed, minding the metal teeth of the zipper. Trim away the zipper to 1/4 on the wrong side.

5. Pull tab: press in half along the long edge. Open and press 1/4 on each long edge towards the center. Fold in half again and topstitch with 1/8 on each long edge.

6. Press the pull tab in half and baste using 1/4” on the same edge as a zipper pull.

7. Place one lining end square right side up. Place the main piece with the right side up on top of the end square, lining up with the middle of the zipper. Lay another end square wrong side up, on top of the zipper, lining up with the other end square. Sew a 1/2″ seam through all layers. Do the same to the other zipper end.

8. Clip the seam allowances as follows: Clip the corners of the end squares diagonally. Clip the main pencil case vertically down to the seam line. Pull the end squares out and press seams.

9. Unzip the zipper halfway. Place the main fabric ends right sides together, pin, and sew 1/2″ seam. Do the same for the lining pieces, but leave a 2.5″ gap in the middle. Press seams open lightly.

10. Attach the end squares for the pencil case outer: On the wrong sides of the end squares, mark the middle and 1/2 from each end. Pin one end square to the main pencil case with right sides together by lining up the center of the square you have just marked, with the seam line on the outer piece. Sew 1/2″ seam between the end markings you have made. Clip corners in the same fashion as in step 8.

11. Complete the ends by pinning the two unsewn sides of the square to the main pencil case as shown. Sew using 1/2″ seam.

12.Repeat on the other side of the outer, and on both lining ends.

13. Trim seam allowances of ends to 1/4″ then pull right side out through the gap in the lining and zipper. Topstitch the gap in the lining closed at 1/8″.

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7 Comments

McKenzie Reints

February 19, 2021 - 4:48 pm

What gutermann color thread is that? 355?
Reply to comment
- Lauren Gates
  
  February 22, 2021 - 3:50 pm
  
  Hello Mckenzie I used Guterman thread color: 910
  Reply to comment
Jennifer Miller

January 3, 2021 - 4:20 pm

This is for teenagers to sew? This is so complicated!!!
Reply to comment
- Lauren Gates
  
  January 3, 2021 - 4:36 pm
  
  It’s designed for you to sew with your teen Jennifer. I didn’t sew this project with my beginners, it is definitely a great project for intermediate sewists who want to perfect their skills.
  Our teens are quite talented and capable with the right training, I had many groups of teens create everything from self-drafted garments to intricate patchwork quilts by their senior year.
  Reply to comment
Patricia Woosley

January 3, 2021 - 9:59 am

The pull tab is to hold as you open the zipper.
Reply to comment
Becky Elder

January 3, 2021 - 6:32 am

What is the purpose of the pull tab? Just for looks?
Reply to comment
- Lauren Gates
  
  January 3, 2021 - 4:38 pm
  
  Just like Patricia said, Becky. It’s to hold as you pull the zipper. Some of my students like to create beaded charms to hang from them too.
  Reply to comment