No-Sew Pencil Pouch
This case is fashioned from a spare dish towel, but you can use
any sturdy fabric like denim or canvas. -Note-: While
you're making the pouch talk to your child about the benefits
of knowing where to find things and how it will help them as
they grow up.
What you'll need:
1 piece of dish towel or fabric
(it should measure about 8½" x 18½")*
Sewing scissors
Felt in assorted colors**
Glue
3 feet of ribbon (or colored shoelaces,
or pipe cleaners)**
Buttons (½ inch across)
Small pom-poms**
Googly eyes**
* It's best if the piece you use has at least one hemmed,
finished end, so that the edges aren't prone to fraying.
** Available in craft stores.
How to Make:
1. Hold the cloth vertically, and let your child fold the
bottom third upward, to form a pocket.
2. Adults only: Cut small (¼ inch long) vertical slits
approximately ½ inch apart along both sides of the pocket,
starting at the bottom of each side and cutting through the
double thickness of the fabric.
3. Start with about 18 inches of ribbon; glue one end
down at the bottom corner of the pocket. Let the glue dry. Show
your child how to lace up the sides of their pencil pouch by
threading the ribbon back and forth through the slits. (you
will be looping the ribbon in and out.) Trim the second ribbon
end and blue it down to secure. Repeat on the other side of
the pouch with the remaining ribbon.
4. Fold the top flap over, so that it covers the pocket.
Help your child glue a piece of ribbon (about 4 inches long)
at the bottom edge of the flap, and at the bottom edge of the
pocket. They can glue a button or pom-pom on the top of each
ribbon piece for decoration. (to close the pouch, tie the
ribbons together.)
5. Let your child decorate the top flap as they like.
(It helps to plan the design first.) The case here is a smiling
felt sun and a pom-pom inchworm that is heading for a big felt
apple. You can help your child personalize their pouch with
a felt initial. Let the glue dry.
6. Show your youngster how to glue more designs under
the top flap, on the panel that you cut the slits into.
