Guess what? The holidays are coming! Are you going to make any handmade gifts? If so, I am going to be offering ideas in the weeks to come.
Today I bring you a perfect holiday gift idea. It’s pretty easy, inexpensive and fun for kids of all ages. It’s a coloring book and crayon holder. A kid’s very own portfolio if you will:
It holds crayons or markers or colored pencils on one side:
And coloring books or stickers or paper on the other:
And folds up nice and has handles so little ones can carry it wherever they are going. Great for church, airplane or car trips or anywhere out and about.
OK, so let’s make it.
What You Need:
1/2 yard of main fabric
1/2 yard of coordinating fabric
1/2 yard of felt (any color)
Small piece of Velcro
Kid’s Coloring Book and Crayon Carrier Tutorial:
Let’s start out with the straps. You need to cut 2 pieces from your main fabric and 2 pieces from your coordinating, each about 12 inches by 2 1/4 inches. Also cut two of the same size from your felt.
Put right sides of your two fabrics together and the piece of felt outside them. Stitch down each side of the strap, leaving both ends open:
Turn them right side out, press them flat and top stitch along each side:
That’s it! Your straps are done. Set them aside for later.
Now, cut a large piece from each of your fabrics-14 1/2″ by 22 1/2.” Also cut one of these pieces out of your felt. These will be your main body of the carrier.
Now you need to make the pockets or compartments for the carrier. First you need to decide: is this going to hold crayons, markers or colored pencils, because your dimensions will be slightly different depending on what you choose.
For markers or colored pencils cut a piece of your main fabric that is 14 1/2″ by 11.”
For crayons cut a piece of your main fabric that is 14 1/2″ by 8.” (Because crayons are shorter and we don’t want them to get lost down in the pocket.)
Take this piece of fabric you just cut and fold it in half with right sides together and sew just across the long side. Turn it right side out so it should look like this: (press it nice and flat with your iron)
Fold your large piece of coordinating fabric in half to find the center. Mark that with a pin or something so you know where it is. Now, place this piece that you just created above so that is lines up almost exactly with the center. Give it maybe about 1 centimeter of breathing room. Sew along the top and bottom edge (the raw edges) to hold in place. Now, sew straight lines down the pocket about 1 inch apart to form the spots for the crayons or markers:
Now we need to make the pockets for the other side. I made 2 pockets for mine. The first pcoket you will make out of the main fabric. Cut a piece that is about 14 1/2″ by 10 1/2.” Fold under and press both of the long sides of this piece. On the left side of the fabric (when looking at the fabric head on), fold it under not once, but twice. Sew a straight stitch down both of those sides:
Now do the same thing with a piece of the coordinating fabric, but use these dimensions instead: 14 1/2″ by 8 1/2.”
With both of those pieces of fabric hemmed on each of the two long sides, place them where you want them on your carrier. Put the main fabric one on the bottom with the right edge right about at the center of your carrier. Layer the coordinating one on top of that so that the right edges line up perfectly and there is about 2 inches of space between the left edges.
Stitch those in place along the top and the bottom-just to hold them for now.
Now, your inside piece is ready, so let’s attach it to the outside. Place your inside piece with it’s right side touching the right side of your large main fabric piece. Put the large piece of felt on the outside. Grab your straps and put them in place on the two outside edges of the carrier with the facing inwards. As in, you can’t see them, just the ends of them right now. See their stubby little ends in this picture:
Here’s what it looks like on the other side where your felt is. In my case I had to piece 2 pieces of felt together because I didn’t have a piece big enough. Yours will just be one big piece.
Starting at the bottom somewhere, sew all the way around, leaving about a 4-5 inch opening to turn it right side out. Then turn it right side out. It will come out sort of rumply, so iron it nice and flat and smooth. Then top stitch all the way around the bag. This will close your opening and help the whole bag to lay smooth.
I like to have my corners be a little bit rounded:
This is what it should look like when laid out flat:
Now, sew a straight line right down the center of the carrier, again, just to help keep everything in place and also to help it fold in the center.
Last step-sew a piece of Velcro on each side right below the handles:
You’re done! It will make a great gift for someone! Want other handmade gift ideas for the holidays? I will be featuring quite a few, so be sure to visit me! Crazy Little Projects
This post was originally posted at The Ribbon Retreat.
Jill @ Create.Craft.Love. says
November 1, 2012 at 10:31 amThis would make a great Christmas present!! Cute!!
Denise says
November 1, 2012 at 11:49 amVery cute! Is the felt being used like batting?
Thank you!
Amber says
November 1, 2012 at 10:38 pmYes, just to give it some thickness. Really you could use batting or lining if you preferred.
Kris says
December 1, 2015 at 1:35 pmI found problems with this pattern. Once I put the crayons in the slots, sewn as directed, the sides bunched up. Seems no space was allowed for this…..very disappointing.
Pam Fields says
November 1, 2012 at 7:55 pmWhat a terrific tutorial. I am pinning for future stitching for gifts. I love getting this before Christmas. :) I saw your link Little Becky Homecky.
Mel says
November 2, 2012 at 3:50 amvery cute! My babies would love one stopping by from keep calm and link up
Erica Deuel says
November 2, 2012 at 2:17 pmI love this!!! I’ll def be making some! Thank you!!!
Sara - My Merry Messy Life says
November 7, 2012 at 7:11 pmLove this, Amber! And such a great tutorial with gorgeous pics to go along with it. Thanks for sharing at Hookin On Hump Day!
[email protected] Pinch of Joy says
November 11, 2012 at 7:11 amVery cute — and useful! Like the idea of being able to corral the crayons in the pocket instead of a box that dumps out at the most inoppurtune time! Thanks so much for sharing on Busy Monday!
Abbey says
November 20, 2012 at 9:51 amI think this is pretty cool! Your instructions seem very well organized and simple. And now I believe I have found inspiration for Christmas gifts for my god children!! Only need to find the time.
Leigh Ann says
November 20, 2012 at 11:55 pmThanks so much for this!
Lynnette says
December 4, 2012 at 1:13 pmThanks for this! Instructions we’re easy to follow. I used leftover pieces of fabric I had from other projects to try it out. Only took a couple of hours – I’m not a great sewer! Now I’m going to make a few more for Christmas gifts for my daughter’s friends! Love it!
Amber says
December 4, 2012 at 9:31 pmGood to hear!
Monique says
January 8, 2013 at 2:06 pmI love this carrier. I’m making one for my niece as a gift and I’m sure I will be making more. Thanks for the great tutorial.
Medbie says
March 27, 2013 at 3:42 pmThis is adorable! I wish I sewed better so that I could make this! This is my favorite thing on your blog so far! =D
JulieCC says
March 29, 2013 at 8:39 pmI just made this but there are a few steps and info missing. You don’t mention seam allowances, so I winged it. You also forgot about sewing the bottoms of the crayon/pencil and book pockets. Thankfully I realized that and did so before I stitched it altogether.
I used fusible fleece which was helpful. I also basted in the handles (you don’t mention how far apart to place them) and the ribbon I used instead of Velcro. Also, it really helps to trim the corners and the seam allowances (especially the felt/batting/fleece) before turning out.
Here’s mine:
http://pinterest.com/pin/192528952792707528/
Amber says
March 30, 2013 at 10:26 pmSorry, I am not a big details person and I don’t worry about things like seam allowances. :) I know, not the best practice. Yours turned out cute.
Joy says
June 29, 2013 at 6:57 pmThanks so much for sharing this awesome project. My 4YO son decided he wanted to help me make one for his little sister’s birthday next week and we gt it finished in just a few hours, and it turned out wonderfully. Thanks!
Amber says
July 3, 2013 at 3:14 pmOh that’s so sweet of him!
Littleelvismonkey says
July 4, 2013 at 4:05 amThanks for a great tute! Really pleased how mine turned out! Made one for my craft-loving nephew’s 5th birthday – hopefully it’ll be a big hit!
Darth Straw says
October 30, 2013 at 12:28 amLove your website. I don’t have children yet but lots of little friends!! So many cute ideas and very adorable!! Keep up the good work!! Question about the felt. I have come across a lot of different kinds of felt. I am familiar with felt but not enough to know what kind of felt is safe for projects like this or for quilting. Can you give me any tips of what to stay away from and which types that are better quality?
Thanks so much
Darth Straw
Amber says
November 5, 2013 at 12:55 pmYou know, since I wrote this I have changed my mind. I would recommend using fusible fleece instead of felt. It’s way better to work with!
Chrissy says
December 18, 2013 at 12:15 pmHave a hard time following the instructions, after the straps it talks about the 14 1/2 x 22 1/2 piece then the pocket then it says “take this piece of fabric you just sewed and fold it in half with right sides together…” so it seems like a step was skipped because I was never told to sew anything. Was I supposed to sew the main body piece or the pocket piece?
Amber says
December 18, 2013 at 1:23 pmYou’re right! It should have said CUT not sewed. I just changed it. Thanks for the heads up. I meant fold the piece that will be your pocket for crayons in half with right sides together and sew it together.
Chrissy says
December 18, 2013 at 4:46 pmSew it how? A border all the way around? Just the sides and top? With what seam allowance,? I sewed it how I thought and it came out too short, so now I have to take the stitches out and redo it.
Amber says
December 18, 2013 at 6:21 pmYou can see in the instructions for this I explain-sew JUST the long edge of that piece. I don’t worry about seam allowances but usually leave a 1/2 inch seam.
Chrissy says
December 18, 2013 at 4:46 pmBTW, if you have a video of how to make this, it would be super helpful! Thanks.
Tricia Gonzalez-Heimbigner says
December 6, 2014 at 3:00 pmHi Amber, Love this tutorial on the color crayon totes. But I am having difficulty printing the instructions. It keeps say cannot print due to internal issue with the tutorial. Can you please tell me where else I might find it to print. Would greatly appreciated the help. Tricia
Amber says
December 6, 2014 at 9:02 pmSorry! I didn’t make it printable. That’s probably why.
Mommy to M,C&S says
December 21, 2014 at 9:11 amHi. I’m making two of these for my younger kids and I am wondering if there are washable. Or do they need to be wiped clean. I’m using cotton materials for everything and felt for the batting.
Wonderful idea! Thanks so much for the great tutorial!
Amber says
December 22, 2014 at 7:58 amThey are washable
Alison says
March 13, 2015 at 10:03 pmHi Amber. I love this! Do you give permission for it to be sold online in small quantities?
Amber says
March 15, 2015 at 9:07 pmYep!
Adri says
July 15, 2015 at 6:47 amthanks so much for the great tutorial. I used this to make my nieces some for Christmas last year and they liked them a lot :)
Adri says
August 4, 2015 at 7:44 amI’ve shared this page on my blog hope that’s ok :)
Debbie Sis says
August 15, 2015 at 5:35 pmThanks for the great idea and tutorial. I used quilted fabric for the main piece for the carrier and machine embroidered a crayon design on the front. Then used crayon print cotton fabric for the inside pocket that holds crayons. It was fun to make and give as a gift.
Sheri says
September 5, 2015 at 10:30 pmCan this bag fit coloring books?
Amber says
September 7, 2015 at 8:32 pmYes, it should!
Chandra says
November 1, 2015 at 3:34 pmHi Amber! Thank you for this great project! Could I use extra firm fusible interfacing in place of the felt? Thanks again!
Amber says
November 1, 2015 at 7:14 pmYes you could.
Sherry S says
July 11, 2016 at 7:18 pmSo cute! Do you have the outside dimensions of the portfolio when it is closed? Will it hold a full size coloring book? Thanks for the great tutorial.
Joan says
April 17, 2018 at 7:00 pmHi! Amber, I just made this for my Grandson for his 6th birthday. I put a colouring book inside one pocket and stickers and the other side I put a sketch pad, larger markers on the other side which I made to be 1 1/4″larger. Thanks so much for this wonderful tutorial, it turned out so cute and he enjoyed it the best out of all the gifts. Will be great for going traveling and just being at home!
Your tutorial was easy to follow and I will be making 2 more of them for another Grandson and Granddaughter!
Joan
Amber says
April 18, 2018 at 4:25 pmThat’s such a perfect gift!
Jean Gilbert says
June 23, 2018 at 9:32 amThank you so much for this idea.I have not done it quite the same ,but the idea is well and truly yours.I can only say we are privileged that you have taken the time to show all your patterns. So we ALL should be immensely grateful, I certainly am.A massive thank you.
Amber says
June 23, 2018 at 6:34 pmThank you for your sweet words! :)
Amanda L. Nordstrom says
March 5, 2019 at 10:42 pmHi, thanks for this tutorial! I just happened to notice you said to fold the pocket fabric in half right sides together. Did you mean wrong sides together? Thanks. :)
Amanda L. Nordstrom says
March 5, 2019 at 10:53 pmNever mind, I’m really dumb. This is what I get for staying up late to create! I misread your instructions, my apologies!