Today I’m going to be sharing with you how to make this fun crayon folio for kids. It’s great “quiet” activity for kids and sews up quickly. It’s made from laminated cotton to make it sturdy and wipeable.
I actually made this a couple of years ago for my nephew and posted it here without a tutorial. I’ve received so many requests for a tutorial since then, so I finally decided to sit down and write one up.
To make a crayon folder, you’ll need:
½ yard Laminated Cotton Fabric for folder
½ yard Laminated Cotton Fabric for pockets
Teflon Foot for Sewing Machine (if you don’t have one, you can try putting scotch tape on the bottom of your presser foot)
1 package Ric Rac
Ribbon
Crayons
Steno Notebook
Cutting Guides
12” x 17” for folder outside
12” x 16” for folder inside
2 pieces, 2” x 15” for handles
9 ½” tall x 8 ¾” wide for notebook pocket
12” x 4” for crayon pocket
Embroidery on the front is optional (if you don’t have an embroidery machine there may be a shop in your area that will add the detail to the front of your fabric for a very nominal fee).
Assembly
A few things to know about sewing with laminated fabric:
-Use a Teflon foot
-You can iron it just do NOT iron the laminated side of the fabric. Press on the wrong side or use a pressing cloth.
Turn under the raw edge of the top of the notebook pocket ½” and stitch along the edge to hem.
Turn under the right side seam ½” and finger press… tip: if you have quilt binding clips they are great to hold seams on laminated fabrics.
Pin the pocket to the left side of the Folder inside piece. Lining up the raw edges on the left side and the bottom.
Stitch along the right side of the pocket (the one that you turned under ½″) to attach the pocket to the folder inside piece.
Turn under the two long edges of the crayon pocket piece ½”, finger press. Stitch along the top edge of the pocket to hem it.
Place the crayon pocket piece on the right side of the folder inside piece. Lining up the raw edges of the sides of the crayon pocket with the raw edges of the inside piece.
Stitch along the bottom of the pocket to secure it to the folder inside piece.
Stitch every 1” to divide the pocket for the crayons.
To make the handles:
Fold the handles in half lengthwise. Use a pressing cloth and press (don’t put the iron right on the laminate fabric). Unfold the handles and fold each raw edge into the center fold and press. Fold the handle in half and top stitch along the edge of both sides of the handles.
Attach the handles to the folder outside piece. 2” in from edge edge, stitch in place.
Attach the 2 pieces of ribbon to the center of the folder (in between the handles).
Apply ric rac to the outer edge of the folder outside piece. Stitching right down the center of the ric rac.
Pin the folder outside piece to the folder inside piece, right sides together. Stitch around the perimeter on top of the seam that you used to attach the ric rack. Leave a 2” opening in one side of the folder to turn it right side out.
‘Turn the folder right side out. Fold under the raw edges of the opening and top stitch around the entire perimeter, catching the opening as you sew.
Other Projects that you might enjoy making this Holiday Season!
“Sunnies” Sunglasses Case Tutorial
Embellished Zip Pouch Tutorial
Necktie Zip Pouch (would make a great gift for a guy!)
This post first appeared on Skip to My Lou as part of their Holiday Sew Along
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Christine Sherman says
This is great, thanks for sharing!
jessica says
Thanks for the tutorial. I probably would have chosen another section of fabric that didn’t have Dick in big font for a child but otherwise it looks great!