Grab-N-Go Drawing Kit

All of my three daughters love to draw.  Whenever I go out, I would usually toss into my bag pieces of coloring paper, crayons, and something to write with for my kids to keep busy.  When I’m in hurry, I would forget to bring crayons or pencils.  So often I find myself sheepishly asking the waiter to borrow pens for my kids to doodle on napkins.  But that’s a thing of the past.  I am determined to be more organized!

I finally made my own portable drawing kit!  I no longer have to bother those busy waiters for pens.

 

This 5×6.5 inch portable kit keeps all our drawing needs in one place.  It holds a quarter-size notebook, a coloring pencil, and a set of crayons.

 

 

 

So now, I just grab and go!

Here’s how to make it:

 

 

 

*finished size : 5inch x 6.5inch

For the cover:  Cut a piece of linen size 5inch x 6.5inch + 1/4inch seams. Trace your kids drawing and handstitch it.

 

*All measurements mentioned from this point on only include the actual size of drawing kit.  You need to add 1/4 inch for all seams.

 

 

 

 

 

For the binder:  Cut 3/4inch x 6.5inch yellow fabric.  Don’t forget to add 1/4 inch to all seams when measuring for your cutout fabric.

For the back cover: Cut 5inch x 6.5inch dotted linen.

Sew the length of 3 pieces of fabric together (see result in the picture above).  Then fold the seams of the yellow fabric as shown above.

Now, cut out a 10-3/4 inch x 6.5 inch piece of fusible batting (no need to add 1/4 inch for seams here).  Then iron this piece to the inside of your cover.

 

 

Next, you will need to cut out another piece of fabric for your inner cover.  This piece of fabric should be a 10-3/4 inch x 6.5 inch piece of fabric, plus 1/4 inch for seams on all sides.

Then, cut out a piece of fabric (11 in x 7 in) for the pockets (red fabric above).  Fold this red fabric in half and pin it to your inner cover fabric.

 

 

 

Now, put the right sides of your entire cover (outer and inner cover) together.  This means the pocket fabric that is sewn to the inner cover is now in between the pieces of fabrics. Then sew them together along your seam line on all sides, except on the last side, leave a little opening so you can invert your cover.  After you invert your cover, hand stitch with thread to close the opening.

 

 

 

 

 

Almost done!  Now, hand stitch the sides to create a border (as shown above with red thread). When you hand stitch your binder, leave enough room to fit your notebook, pencil and crayons.

 

Use fabric glue to attach a ribbon (I used measuring tape ribbon) to the pockets.

 

Then hand sew a leather loop to the back cover.

 

Sew buttons on both sides of the cover for the loop to hold your kit together.  Add decorations.  Done!