For the last couple of weeks I have been working on a special present of a pencil case. I wanted it to be a 'wrap' style case with no zip, and to make it from a piece of felted, embroidered and beaded linen, and to use some Japanese fabric for the lining.
When I do projects like these I always start off with a rough sketch of what I hope it will look like, with approximate dimensions - this becomes the 'pattern' that I work from (although I don't actually use pattern pieces, just measurements). I generally make two of anything so I can iron out any problems with the design in the first attempt.
Here's my rough sketch:
The first pencil case I made was like this:
It has a pouch for storing pencils and pens...
(the black and cream lining fabric that you can just about see is more from my vintage kimono stash that I got from Kyoto)
...and then rolls up like this. It's held closed with an 8-tama kumihimo braid.
Here's a closeup of the front felted area:
Fortunately the pattern worked out ok, which meant I could also make up the second pencil case - this time in my favourite autumnal shades:
the inside has red kimono fabric:
(I used felt for the lining of the pouch to provide some extra protection for the contents)
(I used felt for the lining of the pouch to provide some extra protection for the contents)
The Autumnal pencil case has been given as part of a special present, but I am keeping the blue prototype for myself - and I'm looking forward to using it on our next sketching trip!
