Slim Pencil Case (free tutorial)

Hello lovelies, happy Sunday to you all!

I've been playing around with some simple pouch ideas lately as I looked for just the right pencil case to keep in my purse and I'm happy to say this Slim Pencil Case is what I came up with.

I love how quick and easy to make this pouch is, and its compact size is just perfect to keep a few essentials in. Which got me thinking that some of you might like to make a Slim Pencil Case (or two) for yourselves as well, so I put together this tutorial for you. Enjoy :)

Finished Size: 7 ½'' wide x 2 ¾'' tall

Materials needed: 

two (2) - 8 ¼'' x 3 ½'' rectangles of quilting cotton for exterior

two (2) - 8 ¼'' x 3 ½'' rectangles of quilting cotton for lining

two (2) - 8 ¼'' x 3 ½'' rectangles of fusible fleece

one (1) - 7'' metal or nylon zipper

one (1) -1 ¾'' long 1/2'' wide ribbon for side tab

one (1) - 6'' long leather string for zipper pull (optional)

You will also need: sewing machine (with zipper foot attachment), coordinating thread, iron, sharp fabric scissors, wonder clips and/or pins

Seam Allowance (SA): use 1/4'' SA unless otherwise noted

Instructions:

1. Adhere fusible fleece to wrong side of both exterior panels. Use hot iron and lots of steam, make sure to press through the exterior fabric and not directly onto the fleece.

2. Fold ribbon in half, pin it about 3/4'' down from top edge along left side of one exterior panel. Use 1/8'' SA to stitch it in place.

3. Bend zipper tape on both ends of zipper at 45 degree angle towards wrong side of zipper tape. Baste within seam allowance either by hand or by machine to secure in place. 

4. Center zipper right side down along the top raw edge of exterior panel with basted ribbon (zipper pull will be on left side). Align zipper tape with panel's top raw edge, clip or pin to prevent layers from shifting and use 1/8'' SA to baste zipper to exterior panel.

5. Now place lining panel right side down along exterior panel's top edge (zipper is sandwiched in between lining and exterior panels). Clip or pin to hold layers together, add zipper foot to your sewing machine and use scant 1/4'' SA to stitch along the pinned/clipped edge taking the pins/clips out as you sew. Press the panels away from zipper.

6. Attach second exterior panel and lining to second zipper tape following the same directions.

7. Attach regular presser foot to your sewing machine and use 1/8'' SA to topstitch along exterior panel ONLY as shown in photo below. Repeat for second exterior panel. Use hot iron and lots of steam to press lining panels away from zipper.

8. Open zipper about half way, align exterior panels on top of each other and linings on top of each other as well, pin or clip to prevent layers from shifting. Sew all the way around the edges making sure to leave about 3'' opening in the lining's bottom edge for turning. Use fabric scissors to trim corners, press the seams open.

9. Turn the pouch right side out through the opening in the lining. Use your fingers to make bottom corners nice and pointy and push out the zipper. Stitch the lining closed. Push the lining gently into the pouch, give it one final press, remove all the stray threads, and add a leather zipper pull if you wish.

All finished. Pretty easy, isn't it?

I hope you give this cutie a try. 

Wishing you all a happy and creative day. Svetlana