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A recycled pencil bag for the first day of school

I made this juice bag pencil pouch for my son's first day of school.  He really wanted the Kool-Aid Sport juice bags (because they look Cool) but the store was out and this is what we had.

You need 4 juice bags and an 8 inch zipper for this little pencil case. If you need a larger pencil bag try 3 bags lined up vertically.

Cut a slit in the bottom of each empty juice bag and rinse.  Allow bags to dry.

Lay two bags end to end, one on top of the other. They should measure 9 1/2 inches in total length. Stitch through the bags at the bottom of the top bag. I found a heavy duty needle (like for denim) helpful.  I was also using a heavy duty thread. Repeat for other size.

Stitch one side of the zipper to the top of the bags ---right sides together.

Notice carefully where to stop stitching.  Do not stitch to edge.

Stitch the other side of bag to the zipper, again right sides together.

Lay zipper and bags flat and top stitch down each side of zipper.

Bring bags together wrong sides together.  Fold zipper ends down on each side.

Starting at top side stitch down the side, across the bottom and up the other side.

I  trimmed off just a little on each side to make it even.

There you go, a recycled pencil bag!

Thanks for taking the time to visit me today!

37 Responses to “A recycled pencil bag for the first day of school”

  1. Hope says:

    Great idea. I’m typically afraid of zippers but I might try to give it a whirl with your great instructions.

  2. Stephanie says:

    that’s great! does your son like it?

  3. Kim H says:

    This is very cool! I do not sew well or know how to do zippers :(

  4. Casey says:

    very cool idea!

  5. Jennifer says:

    Thanks for the How To! I am still learning on putting zippers in. I made a few bags last week and still am not happy with finished product. I know it just takes practice!

    Love your blog!

  6. heidi says:

    great idea! very very cool! hope you guys have a good first day back!

  7. Rachel says:

    That is so cool! I’m totally linking to this in today’s Daily DIY!

  8. Kristin says:

    My kindergartener would LOVE this idea – thanks for the tutorial!

  9. sarah says:

    how do you come up with this stuff. you’re amazing. too cool!!!

  10. LuluMom says:

    Too cool!
    you are one clever Lou,
    LuluMom

  11. Mone says:

    WoW – how would have thought of this? I just came across your site yesterday and bookmarked it. I love it! I’ll be sure to be a daily, if not, weekly reader.

    I’ll have to try my hand at the cooler pouch. The zipper can be a bit tricky, but I’ll do my best. Thanks for the tutorial.

  12. Aurora says:

    Love this idea, i’m gonna give a try!!!!

  13. Liz says:

    I love finding uses for those things. This week I turned a few of them into luggage tags…

  14. [...] the old saying: When life give you Capri Sun Lemonade, sew zipper pouches! Check out this great tutorial for a recycled juice pouch pencil bag on Skip to my Lou. Add a comment or question Recommend this post Share/Email Stumble It [...]

  15. [...] the old saying: When life give you Capri Sun Lemonade, sew zipper pouches! Check out this great tutorial for a recycled juice pouch pencil bag on Skip to my [...]

  16. [...] of Skip to My Lou recycled her kids’ Caprisun juice bags and sewed them into a zippered pencil bag for her son’s first day of [...]

  17. [...] Autumn blogged it here the other day, but it’s so cute I’m including it again here in the carnival. Cindy of Skip To My Lou made a recycled pencil bag out of juice bags for the first day of school. [...]

  18. shawna says:

    I never sew anything but i do want to make my kids the so
    COOL pencile pouch. They ask me to make them all one —
    5 kids– I guess it’s time to learn how to sew?! I do need to ask do i need to tie a knot anywere?? Some one please help me?? smcmay78@yahoo.com

  19. Netta says:

    I just found your blog while searching for something from the ALL YOU mag. and ended up on your site! What a great find!
    This pencil bag is ADORABLE!
    Thanks for sharing it!

  20. sami says:

    that is so cool!

    i love the idea of how we can make great things out of recycles. :)

  21. Naomi says:

    Oh my gosh I have been looking for the perfect pencil pouch that i have even gone to PINK the younger victoriassecret 2 find some but they are not the right size but this one is!!!!! U r a genius I will try my best 2 sew!

  22. Morniel says:

    I just have one question. Why in the world would you buy “juice bags” or “juice boxes”? They’re horribly expensive, contain only 10 % juice, and are terribly inconvenient as well as filling up landfills and so forth.

  23. [...] Interested in other eco friendly crafts? Check out how to make cloth napkins and how to make a zippered pouch from recycled juice bags. [...]

  24. Mark Shorr says:

    Please contact me. I’m interested in marketing your recycled products. Feel free to call me. My toll free number is 888-500-2583

  25. Linsey says:

    Dear Shawna,
    If you are using a sewing machine you will not be required knots, but if hand sewing you have to make several.

    Anyways, Thank You Skip To My Lou! I really enjoyed making this pencil pouch for class next year! Are there any other school related projects you perfer?

  26. jjjanice says:

    i couldnt do it cause ima lousy sower

  27. Martha says:

    This is really what I was looking for to do!!!! Thanks a lot

  28. Martha says:

    I did it and I loved it!!!! thank you thank you thank you

  29. KimShavatt says:

    This looks soo cute! I can’t wait to try this. Great instructions!!!

  30. [...] totes and pencil cases that are then sold at Target and Walgreens stores across the country. (To make your own Juice Bag Pencil Bag, go here.)For dozens and dozens more recycling/reusing ideas, follow this link to Real Simple.Via. You can [...]

  31. Emma says:

    love this idea! I want to make a whole bunch of stuff like this so ill be like “capri sun girl” or something! Im only 10 so dont think im crazy! Haha

  32. [...] Make a wallet!!! Craft Project: Juice Pouch Tri-Fold Wallet Pencil Pouches!!! A recycled pencil bag for the first day of school | Skip To My Lou If you use swagbucks, just search for caprisun purse instructions, or belts or wallets, or [...]

  33. Amy says:

    This is so stinkin cute! I goggled for “make your own denim pencil pouch” because I have seen one on a blog I regularly read. I read so many, though, I couldn’t remember where I found it. This is so cute, my daughter will just love it! Better than denim, imo.

  34. [...] DIY Take advantage of all the online tutorials out there and make your own pencil cases, gym bags and even back packs. Look around the house, at thrift stores or even in the recycling bin for items you can reuse for interesting projects like this fun pencil bag – http://www.skiptomylou.org/2008/08/13/a-recycled-pencil-bag-for-the-first-day-of-school/ [...]

  35. [...] DIYTake advantage of all the online tutorials out there and make your own pencil cases, gym bags and even back packs. Look around the house, at thrift stores or even in the recycling bin for items you can reuse for interesting projects like this fun pencil bag (click here).  [...]

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