Crayon Keeper Tutorial

(Sorry I didn't get this up sooner today, Doc says I have strep throat.)

Crayon Keeper Tutorial

Holds 16 Crayons Here’s what you need:

Outside Fabric: 20 1/2” x 5”
Inside Fabric: 20 1/2” x 5”
Lightweight Fusible Interfacing: 20 1/2” x 5” fabric
Pocket Fabric: 20 ½” x 6”
Bias Tape or 1” wide strip of fabric: 54 inches
Ribbon or Ric Rac for Trim: 21”
Ribbon or Bias Tape for Ties: 24”

Step #1
Cut out all pieces.
Iron interfacing to wrong side of outside fabric.



Step #2
Fold pocket piece in half lengthwise with wrong sides together. Press.
Pin ribbon or ric rac to folded edge of pocket.
If using ric rac sew top stitch down the middle with matching thread.
If using ribbon top stitch just inside each edge of the ribbon.


Step #3
Pin pocket piece to right side of inside piece. Line up bottom raw edges and sides.
Sew pockets starting ¼” in from one side. Begin at top (folded) edge of pocket and stop at bottom. Clip threads. Continue sewing pockets 1 ¼” apart. Finish by sewing ¼” in from the edge of the other side.

Step #4
Make bias tape. I use a 1” bias tape maker, which makes 1/4” bias tape. Cut enough strips of fabric to make 54” of bias tape. If you are using bias tape ties, cut at least 78”. You may want to add 1” to the length of your strip for every seam you are going to use to join the tape together. Join strip pieces by overlapping perpendicularly, and sewing a diagonal seam. Trim seam allowances and press. Using bias tape maker according to package directions, create your bias tape OR fold each long edge of strip into middle and press, then fold in half and press.

Step #5
If you are using bias tape for ties, cut length of tape 24” long. Unfold and press each short edge under about ¼”. Refold and repress if necessary. Top stitch about 1/8” in from the open edge.

Step #6
Fold ribbon or bias tape, right sides together so that there is one strand 9” long, and one strand about 15” long. Pin to right side of fabric piece, centering tie on the short edge of the left side. Machine baste in place. Pin outside to inside/pocket piece with wrong sides together. Match up all edges, and use a lot of pins. Machine baste together about 1/8” from the edge.

Step #7
Use bias tape to finish edges. I like to open mine up all of the way and sew a seam just inside the first crease. Start a few inches from the edge of the bias tape. I turn my corners by lifting the foot and needle, folding a miter, and continuing down the next side. Join ends by folding one edge under and tucking the other edge into it, or go read Heather Bailey’s quilt binding tutorial, and go the seamless route. I have done it both ways, it just depends on my mood. If you are really talented and have a sewing machine that will actually go through more than three layers, you could try topstitching it of course.

Step #8
Refold bias, and overlap to other side of keeper. Hand stitch open edge all the way around to finish.

Step #9
Fill with crayons, roll up, tie, and give away!