Monday, May 28, 2012

Make It Monday: Colouring Book Artfolio




I was inspired to make this artfolio carrying case for Sophie's crayons and colouring books after seeing this pin on Pinterest. I couldn't find a tutorial online so I pieced it together myself and took tons of photos to include in a tutorial here.


What you'll need:

FABRICS
2/3 yard medium to heavy-weight cotton or home decor fabric
1/4 yard light or medium-weight cotton in one, two or three different coordinating prints (see actual piece measurements below)
Hook and loop velcro

SUPPLIES
Yardstick
Fabric marker
Scissors
Straight pins
Ruler


STEP 1.  Cut out the pieces from the fabric.

Medium to heavy-weight cotton:
Cut 2 Large Panels: 13" wide x 21" long
Cut 2 Straps: 3" wide x 12" long
Light to medium-weight cotton:
Cut 1 Crayon Pocket: 13" wide x 4" long
Cut 1 Large Pocket: 13" wide x 7" long
Cut 1 Small Pocket: 13" wide x 5" long
Velcro:
Cut 1 Hook Velcro Strip: 9" long
Cut 1 Loop Velcro Strip: 9" long




STEP 2.  Iron and hem the pockets.

On the large and small pockets, with the wrong side of the fabric facing up, on one 13" side, fold over 1/4", then press. Fold over another 1/4" and press. Machine stitch along the fold. This edge will become the top of the pockets.




On the crayon pocket, with the wrong side of the fabric facing up, on both 13" sides, fold over 1/4", then press. Fold over another 1/4" and press. Machine stitch along only one of the folded sides. This edge will become the top of the crayon pocket.




STEP 3.  Assemble the straps.

On the straps, with the wrong side of the fabric facing up, fold in half, long sides together and press. Fold over 1/4" toward the centre fold on both 13" sides of the fabric, then press. Fold over 1/4" toward the centre on both 3"sides of the fabric, then press. Fold in half again, ensure all 1/4" folds are tucked in, pin and sew around all 4 sides.



STEP 4.  Attach the velcro.

On the right side of the small pocket, pin and sew one velcro strip 1" up from the bottom (unhemmed) edge and centred between the two sides.

On the right side of one of the large panels, pin and sew the matching velcro strip 1" from the top (13" wide edge) and centred between the two sides. This panel will become the inside panel of the artfolio.



STEP 5.  Attach and divide the crayon pocket.

On the right side of the inside panel, lay the crayon pocket right side facing up and the hemmed edge pointing toward the top (velcro end) of the inside panel, so the bottom edge (pressed but not sewn) of the crayon pocket is 9 1/2" from the top of the inside panel. See image below for more clarity. Pin and sew along the bottom edge of the crayon pocket.




Machine sew 1 vertical seam in the centre of the crayon pocket beginning at the top seam and ending at the bottom. Sew 2 similar vertical seams 2" from the centre seam. Sew 2 more vertical seams 2" from the previous. The result will be 6 small pockets for crayons. See images below for more clarity.





STEP 6.  Assemble the artfolio.

On the right side of the inside panel, lay the large pocket right side facing up with the bottom (unhemmed edge) and sides aligned with the bottom and sides of the inside panel. Similarly, lay the small pocket right side facing up on the right side of the large pocket with the bottom and sides aligned with that of the large pocket. 



Pin one strap to the bottom of the pockets so the strap is turned in towards the centre of the artfolio and the centre of the ends of the strap are about 4" from either side of the artfolio. See image below for more clarity.




Lay the remaining large panel right side face down on top of the right side of the inside panel with all four edges aligned. Secure in place with pins, ensure the pins go through all layers of the pockets and the strap.





Machine sew around the edges leaving a generous size opening at the top to turn the artfolio right side out and attach the remaining strap.




Trim the corners, turn the artfolio right side out and press.




Pin the remaining strap into the top opening of the artfolio so the centre of the strap ends are 3 3/4" from the edges.




Sew a 1/4" finishing seam around the entire artfolio.




Load it up with crayons and colouring books.






Happy Monday!






3 comments:

  1. Great tutorial! I made one of these for a birthday gift that my daughter gave at a party. When it was opened all the kids oohed and awed at it. Now I will be making it again for two of my daughters. It's a great way to use up scrap material. Thanks for putting out there!!

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  2. Hi! I just found this on Pinterest and can't wait to make two of these for the ring bearer and a flower girl in my daughter's wedding the end of July.
    Great tutorial! You gave easy to understand directions with good detailed pictures and the size is bigger (the coloring books and drawing pads fit better).
    I do have a question, though...
    Did you use a quarter inch or half inch seam allowance?
    Thank you!!

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    Replies
    1. I figured the seam allowances out.
      They turned out great! Very, very cute!

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