So great to be here at Skip to My Lou sharing one of my favorite handmade gifts for kids, the On-The-Go Art Case. My kids love to take theirs to church, on long car rides, and to doctor’s waiting rooms. We give them pre-stocked with colored pencils, a coloring book on one side of the case, a drawing pad for the other and some stickers for the little pocket. But kids will inevitably fill them with their favorite magazines, books, pens, pencil sharpeners to make sure they have what they need when it’s time to go!
The art case is large enough to hold 12 colored pencils and 2 coloring books/pads of paper and even a little treat in the flap pocket.
To personalize it, you can add an applique monogram to the outside of the case.
It’s a great handmade gift for both boys and girls.
Now onto the tutorial:
Supplies:
-1/2 yd double-sided quilted fabric- double-sided thrifted bedspreads work great or fabric can be purchased from a fabric store-watch for a sale because it’s not cheap (you might be able to get by with less yardage if you are really careful at pattern placement, cutting and if your fabric store cuts really straight).
-1 1/2” of 1” Velcro
-1 package of coordinating 1/4” double fold bias tape. 1/2″ works fine too especially if you are using a bulkier quilted fabric.
Pattern pieces:
-Main piece – rectangle measuring 12 1/2” x 38“
-Handles (cut 2) 12 1/2” x 3”
-Pocket (cut 1 from provided pattern)
-Pocket Flap (cut 1 from provided pattern)
Downloadable (pdf) Pocket Pattern
Art Case Marking lines for large rectangular piece:
If you take the time to make all the markings at the beginning, the sewing will go smoother and the tutorial will make sense.
(click on image to enlarge)
Instructions:
1. Bind each short end of the large rectangular piece, the curved side of the pocket flap and the top edge of the pocket with 1/4” bias tape.
2. Serge or otherwise finish edges of pocket and long edges or rectangular piece.
3. Fold back 4 1/2” and sew channels 1” apart starting 1 1/4” from the edge.
4. Fold and iron 1/4” on non-bound edges of pocket. Topstitch into place.
5. Attach flap above pocket using 1/4” seam.
6. Fold flap over and topstitch 1/4” away from edge.
7. Fold each strap piece in half lengthwise. Fold in 1/4” on each long raw edge of strap. Topstitch on the edge to close strap. (You could try to sew right sides together, but the thickness makes it really hard to turn).
8. Attach straps at marks using 1/4” seam.
9. Flip straps and topstitch 1/4” from edge.
9a. If you want to add an applique to the outside of your case, now is the time to do it – before you sew up the large pockets.
10. With right sides together, fold each side in to make large pockets (follow measurements from above sketch). Sew 1/4” seam. Flip and press.
(sorry, I did not take a good picture of this step – the photo is after the flip & press).
11. Cut 1 1/2” piece of Velcro. Sew one piece in the middle of each side of case at “X” mark from Diagram.
Fill and enjoy!
Download a Printable version of the Art Case Tutorial Here.
copyright 2008 www.thismamamakesstuff.com
for personal use only
You might also be interested in how to make a crayon roll or enjoy seeing more handmade gift ideas!
And for extra arts and craft storage check out these great DIY Fabric Storage Containers. They bring function and decoration to any room.
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I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A PATEERN TO MAKE A SERGE CARRYING LIKE THAT. SO
What a great idea – these will make wonderful Christmas gifts for the grandkids. Thanks so much for sharing your talent!
These are just beautiful! Thank you for sharing the pattern. I really like the fabrics that you’ve chosen, particularly the blue with the polka-dot applique!
This is cute. Similiar to Soulemama’s rollup for pencils but this one can hold the pads too. Simple directions, thanks.
Making this today! Can’t wait!
Emily ** The pocket pattern is the last item in the list of pattern pieces, it is a hyperlink that you’ll need to click on to get the pattern…hope that helps.
Looks like a great gift for my grandkids! I’ll be making several of these for Christmas. Thanks for sharing the pattern!
This is so cool! Thanks for sharing this tutorial!
Very cute, I can’t wait to make them for Christmas gifts.
I absolutely love the “paisley” (sp?) looking multi-colored fabric shown in the last photo of the post! Just wondered where it came from? These are such a good idea! Thanks.
My kids would LOVE these! I would usually say I am nmot *crafty* enough to make one….but I think I might take this on 🙂
I love these art rolls. I am not very good with sewing and I don’t have a sewing machine. Do you sell these by chance?
I’d like one for me and my 10 year old daughter.
Please let me know!
Love your blog and your posts!
Every day I am encouraged to get a sewing machine…maybe one day I will!
How fun, I’m going to make one. But I don’t see the pattern for the small pocket that is says is included…is there one?
this is amazing! thanks for sharing this, can’t wait to make one once i get my hands on the right material. great idea to use an old blanket instead of buying the fabric. that stuff is pretty pricey per yard!
I love this! I will gave to make one for my girls!
Thanks for sharing!
This is a great idea! I know of a couple of girls and boys these would be perfect for 🙂
Thanks for the great tut!!