DIY Pencil and Drawing Pad Holder

This DIY Pencil and Drawing Pad holder is a handy way to have pencils and paper on hand to keep the kids busy. This colored pencil holder makes turning to creativity instead of a screen a bit easier by having art supplies right at hand.

If you prefer crayons to colored pencils be sure to see my pattern for a crayon holder with a tiny notepad. All you need to do now is grab your art pad and pencils and start drawing one of these things to draw.

I’m so happy you are here looking for something great to make! I love sharing easy ideas sewing patterns that make great handmade gifts! Whenever you need a special gift please come visit me! I will keep you stocked with fun and easy sewing patterns!

Supplies Needed to Make a Colored Pencil and Paper Holder

For this DIY colored pencil holder, I used an old pair of jeans and some old denim drapes from IKEA.  Any fabric will work but this is a great way to recycle and old pair of jeans if you have them. The pockets work great and give this caddy a cool look.

• 2 – 15 1/2 ” X 12 1/2″ pieces for the outside and the inside
  (If you are using cotton I would also cut a piece of iron-on interfacing for each of the pieces to make it heavier) (For this jeans version I used 1 piece of sew-in interfacing)
• 7 1/2″ X 10″ piece for drawing pad pocket
• 10″ X  12 1/2″ piece folded in half lengthwise for pencil pocket
• 3 1/2″ X 4″ piece for closure (finished 3 1/2″ X 1″) (You might  re-figure this measurement when you decide exactly where your snap on the front will be. Just allow enough space for the pad to fit snugly and still snap easily to the front)
• 1 heavy-duty snap (I used heavy duty since I was using denim—you could probably use a pretty snap for cotton)
• colored pencils
• sketch pad
• sewing machine
• thread
• scissors

How to Make a DIY Pencil and Drawing Pad Holder

If using iron-on interfacing fuse to the wrong side of inside and outside pieces

Next, embellish the cover.  I used a pocket from an old pair of jeans. You could add a contrasting fabric pocket or monogram applique. Scroll to the bottom of this post to see the example with an applique letter on the front.

TIP: If you want to monogram your sketch pad holder I have a whole post to show you how to machine applique and then download a free printable alphabet.

Add a snap to the front about 1 1/2 inches from the edge.  Placement will depend on how you embellish the front. Do not place the snap (or your embellishments)  too close to the edge or it will be hard to sew around the outside edge.

TIP: If you prefer a covered button closure they are easy to make. Learn how to cover a button then use a hair elastic in the seam that can loop around the button on the front. You can also make these covered button bookmarks with your new skill.

Place pencil pocket piece on the left side going top to bottom. Starting over 1 1/4 inches from the top stitch a line from the top of the pocket to edge of the fabric.  Backstitch at top of pocket to re-enforce. Sew every 1 inch across. You should end up with 1 1/4 inches on the other end.

Note: You can make the spaces smaller, however, I found that this caused the fabric to really pucker when pencils were placed in the pockets.

Since I used jeans I had a natural finished edge at the top of my drawing pad pocket.  If you are using fabric, turn down the top and stitch across so you have a nice finished edge.  Place drawing pad pocket on fabric right sides together. You need to figure out where to place it so after you stitch a 1/4 seam it folds over and meets the edge nicely.  This takes a bit of adjusting.

Take the closure piece and fold in half and press, open back up, fold each side into the middle and press, fold in half then press.  Stitch down each side close to the edge. This technique is the same that I used for the handles on my tote bag tutorial.

I found a piece of the curtain I could use.  You just need to have a piece about 1″ wide by 3 1/2 inches long.

Lay inside and outside pieces right sides together.  Insert your closure strip on the right side at the middle. It is important to make sure you line it up with your snap on the front! If you are using sew-in interfacing lay it on top outside.

Sew around 1/4 inch from the outside edge.  It is important to line up outside edges and make sure you stitch through all layers.  Leave a space at the top for turning.

Turn. Stitch opening closed. If I hadn’t used such heavy fabric I probably would have top-stitched around the outside very close to the edge (this would close the opening so you wouldn’t need to hand stitch it closed).

Place a snap on the end of your closure piece (again check for proper alignment and length).

Place the cardboard back of the drawing pad in the pocket and 12 colored pencils and you are done! It would also be nice with a set of drawing pencils.

Larissa of mmmcrafts used my tutorial to make these darling Drawing Pad Holders.  Great Job!

Decorate a clipboard, make a candle, or your very own notecards with all the beautiful drawings kids will make.

Ready for More Easy Sewing Projects?

Now that you are a pencil case making pro here is a long list of projects that make crafting and playing on the go easy!

• Tshirt Totebag – turn a t-shirt that you have tie-dyed into a cool tote.
• Crayon Holder Roll (Roll all the crayons up in this handy holder)
• Drawstring Backpack
• DIY I Spy Bag
• Hand Sanitizer Cozy
• Sling Library Bag
• Kid’s Crayon Folder with Handles
• Kid’s Lunch Bag
• Fabric Bookmark – great beginning sewing project for kids!
• Beach Towel into Tote Carrier
• Fabric I Spy Book
• Mini Oil Cloth Notebook Covers
• Artist Case
• Fabric Scraps Memory Game