Two years ago I posted a tutorial on how to make a felt colored pencil roll. They were a big hit with my kids and were very easy to make.
This year I decided to modify my original design to accommodate an 8 pack of markers (not the skinny kind).
I also decided to decorate the covers of the sketch pads I purchased to make a fun gift set.
If you would like to make a marker roll like I did, here’s what you will need to do.
Supplies
- Felt (12 1/2″ x 13″)
- Scissors
- Sewing Machine
- Thread
- Pins
- Rotary Cutter & Mat (optional)
- Ruler
- 3/8″ Elastic (6 inch piece)
Instructions
1. Cut the felt to a size of 12 1/2 inches by 13 inches.
2. Cut the elastic to a size of 6 inches.
Make sure the felt is 13 inches horizontally and 12 1/2 inches vertically before beginning Step 3.
3. Fold the bottom of the felt up, towards the top, 3 1/2 inches and pin in place.
4. Fold the top of the felt down, towards the bottom, 2 inches and pin in place.
5. Fold the piece of elastic in half and place the raw edges inside the bottom folded part of the felt as shown in the picture below. Pin in place.
6. Sew around the entire perimeter of the felt using a 1/4 inch seam allowance.
7. Sew over the elastic 2-3 times to secure it.
8. Using a piece of tailor’s chalk make 7 lines that are 1 1/2 inches apart. Start measuring from the seam line on the left, not the edge of the felt.
To make the job easier I cut a piece of card stock just the right size.
This will give you guidelines to sew on in Step 9 and it will make the pockets for the markers.
9. Sew along one chalk line you drew in Step 8. (I start at the right side.) Start at the top of the pocket and sew down to the bottom of the felt. Backstitch at the beginning and end of each seam but do not clip the threads.
10. Lift up the presser foot and move to the next chalk line. Repeat Step 9 until you have sewn along each chalk line.
The reason I told you not to clip the threads in Step 9 is that you will save so much time if you wait until you have sewn all 7 pocket lines. Trust me. I have tried it both ways and not clipping threads until the end is the way to go.
11. Clip all threads. Don’t forget about the threads on the back.
12. Fill the marker roll with 8 markers and then roll it up.
You will need to roll from the left to the right and then stretch the elastic around the whole thing. The flap at the top will keep the markers inside the roll and they will not fall out.
This is such a simple, frugal sewing project. My 4 oldest kids are going to be so excited that they are getting markers instead of crayons or colored pencils. 
Now, if you want to decorate the front of a sketch pad like I did, here are the steps.
Supplies
- Scrapbook Paper (12 x 12 works best)
- Mod Podge
- Foam Brush
- Sketch Pad
- Child’s Name Printed on Paper (I did this in Word.)
Instructions
1. Cut the scrapbook paper to the size of the front of the sketch pad just below the binding.
2. Apply Mod Podge to the front of the sketch pad and the back of the scrapbook paper.
3. Lay the scrapbook paper on top of the sketch pad and smooth out any wrinkles.
4. Apply Mod Podge to the back of the name printout and put it on top of the scrapbook paper.
5. Apply Mod Podge to the top of the scrapbook paper.
6. Allow to dry and then apply another coat of Mod Podge.
I found that the sketch pads wanted to curl. So, when they were mostly dry I placed a sheet of waxed paper on top and then set a heavy book on it for a day. It was nice and flat after that.
Since I was using papers I had in my stash I had to improvise for the boys’ sketch pads. I used multiple layers of papers. I found that the ones I used cardstock on weren’t as easy to work with.
They all turned out alright, but I think using one scrapbook paper and the name would have been better.
Anyway, I will be excited to see what my budding artists think of their gifts, and I am looking forward to the artwork they will create.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
