Daydreamer Easy Pencil Case Pattern

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Keep your teen or tween’s backpack or locker organized with this stylish pencil case from Sophie Tarrant. Made in a colorful vinyl print, this pencil case pattern easily holds pencils and pens and can double as a makeup bag to hold gloss and lip balm. This back-to-school project also features a handy D-ring tab that can easily clip onto backpacks and totes. The clever construction method gives the case a roomy 3D shape while keeping the seams neatly concealed and is a fun project for beginners.

Skill Level: Beginner

Finished Size: 7 1/2″ long x 4 1/2″tall x 2 1/2″ wide

Designer Notes:

Never use your iron to press vinyl fabric – the heat can cause it to melt. Instead, press your seams by running your fingernail firmly along each one to crease them into place.
When working with vinyl, always use clips rather than pins. Pins will leave permanent holes in the fabric that won’t disappear, unlike in regular woven fabrics.

Materials:

Fabric: Vinyl in two prints, one fat quarter of each
Zipper: Rose gold, 12 1/2”
D-ring clip fastening: Rose gold
Thread: To match your fabric

Tools:

Water-erasable fabric pen
Ruler
Scissors
Sewing clips
Sewing machine

Sewing Instructions:

Begin by cutting your fabric pieces. Using a ruler and a water-erasable fabric pen, draw and cut a 13” x 12 1/2” rectangle from each of your fabrics. If either fabric has a directional print (as our outer fabric did), you’ll need to cut two pieces and join them with a center seam so the design faces the right way up on both sides of the finished case. To do this, cut two 7” x 12 1/2” pieces, making sure the print is the correct way up on each. With right sides together, stitch along the bottom 12 1/2” edge using a 1/2” seam allowance, then finger press the seam open (do not use heat). You should now have two identically sized pieces – one for your outer and one for your lining.
Place the lining and outer layers together with the right sides facing. Sandwich your zipper between them, aligning it along the top edge. The right side of the zipper should be facing the outer layer of vinyl. Clip together, then sew the whole length of the seam, leaving a 1/4” seam allowance.
Flip the opposite edge of the fabric up so that it aligns along the other side of the zipper and clip it into place in the same way. Sew along this edge to fix the zipper into place, leaving the same seam allowance. Turn the work right sides out and finger press the fabric away from the zipper. Top stitch down each side, 1/8” away from the seam.
Make the tab. Cut a 3” x 4” piece of your outer fabric and fold it in half lengthwise with the right sides facing. Sew down the open long edge, leaving a 1/2” seam allowance. Turn right sides out and roll the fabric around so the seam lies down the center of the strip. Fold it in half and thread a 1” D-ring clip fastener onto it, then sew across the short ends (leaving a 1/8” seam allowance) to temporarily hold the layers together.
With the zipper positioned exactly down the center of the pouch, lay the work flat and line up the edges. Sew along each side edge, working through all layers and leaving a 1/4” seam allowance. Trim the seam allowances down to 1/8” and turn the work inside out. Insert the tab between the layers along one edge, positioning it directly underneath the zipper so it sits in the middle of the work. Work a French seam along each side edge by sewing along the same seams again, leaving a 1/4” seam allowance. The raw edges should now be enclosed within the new seams, with the tab poking out beneath the zipper.
Turn the case right sides out. You’ll now box the corners to give the case its shape. Pull the corners of the case outwards to create a 3D box shape, with a triangle of spare fabric along each side edge. Clip along the edge of each triangle and mark it with a water-erasable pen – this is where you’ll stitch to create the boxed corners of the bag. Make sure all four corners are equal in size and shape, then stitch along the marked lines. Trim away the spare fabric from each triangle, leaving a 1/8” seam allowance.
Turn the case inside out. Finger press the seams you just worked, then once again work a 1/4” French seam down each one to conceal the raw edges inside. Turn the case right sides out again and you’re done!