Roll-Up Pencil or Brush Case Pattern Maker
A roll-up case keeps pencils, brushes or small tools flat and side by side, then rolls up into a bundle tied with fabric ties.
It is made from the pocket panel: list the pocket rows (flat pockets and elastic loops, each with the width it needs), set the panel size and the length of the ties.
Make it yours: Measure the tools or items you carry, then change the number of rows, pocket widths and the waist length.
Make this pattern in your size →When to choose this one
Choose this one when the pockets are for things that should lie flat and travel rolled: pencils, brushes or a small set of tools. The rows can be flat pockets and elastic loops, and the case rolls up and ties with fabric ties.
For pockets worn at the waist, start from the tool belt.
What you can change
Size
- Panel width: 15–65 cm (5⅞–25⅝″). Finished width, side seam to side seam.
- Panel height: 12–60 cm (4¾–23⅝″). Finished height, top to bottom. A waist band covers the top of it at the back.
Sizes are typed in centimetres, millimetres or inches. The starting size is Panel width 34 cm (13⅜″), Panel height 24 cm (9½″).
Options
- Wear it as: waist band, roll-up or cross-body
- Switches: Interfacing
- Measurements and counts: Room around listed items, Each tie length, Finished tie width
- Lists you build: Pocket rows
Starting points
These are sizes and settings to begin from, and every one stays fully editable. Type your own measurements, or start from the nearest one.
| Starting point | Finished size, cm | Same starting point in round inches |
|---|---|---|
| Roll-up pencil or brush case | 34 × 24 cm · roll-up ties | 13½ × 9½″ · roll-up ties |
| Tool roll | 48 × 30 cm · roll-up ties | 19 × 12″ · roll-up ties |
The tool belt / pocket panel pattern has 7 starting points in all; the other 5 are in the maker.
Cutting list
At the starting size (Panel width 34 cm (13⅜″), Panel height 24 cm (9½″)) the pattern has these pieces. Fabric sizes include seam allowance, interfacing is cut to the stitching line, and pieces cut on the fold are shown opened out. Each size is the width and height of the piece as cut.
| Piece | Fabric | Cut | Size to cut | How |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panel front and back | Main fabric | 1 | 36 × 26 cm (≈14⅛ × ≈10¼″) | Rectangle: cut by measurement or from the print |
| Panel front and back | Lining | 1 | 36 × 26 cm (≈14⅛ × ≈10¼″) | Rectangle: cut by measurement or from the print |
| Panel front and back | Interfacing | 1 | 34 × 24 cm (≈13⅜ × ≈9½″) | Rectangle: cut by measurement or from the print |
| Row 1 · flat pockets | Main fabric | 1 | 36 × 24 cm (≈14⅛ × ≈9½″) | Rectangle: cut by measurement or from the print |
| Ties | Main fabric | 2 | 8 × 51 cm (≈3⅛ × ≈20⅛″) | Strip: cut by measurement |
You will also need: Elastic, row 2; Thread. The cover page and materials list give the amounts for your size.
The maker’s fabric estimate at this size: Main fabric about 0.4 m of 112 cm fabric; Lining about 0.3 m of 112 cm fabric.
How it goes together
These are the maker’s own instructions at the starting size. They change with the options you pick, and the PDF carries the full set with the cover, cutting list and materials list.
- Fuse the interfacing to the wrong side of the panel front, inside the seam allowance.
- Make the pocket strips: fold each strip in half on its fold line, wrong sides together, so the fold is the pocket top. Press, and edgestitch along the fold. Baste the raw edges together.
- Sew the rows on from the top row down, so the pockets already sewn hang clear of the stitching: row 2, row 1.
- Row 2, elastic: cut 45.48 cm of 1.5 cm elastic. Mark 1 cm from one end, then 10 loops of 4.35 cm. Lay it between its two placement lines, match each mark to a divider line, and sew across the elastic at every line, backstitching. Baste the ends inside the side seam allowances.
- Row 1, flat pockets: lay the strip on the panel front with its folded top on the row's top line. Baste the sides and bottom inside the seam allowance; they are caught in the panel's perimeter seam. Sew each divider line from the bottom up to the top edge and backstitch firmly there, where pockets take the strain.
- Make the ties: press the strip in half lengthwise, open it, fold both long raw edges in to meet at the crease, then fold in half again so it is 2 cm wide. Edgestitch along both long sides. Tuck in and stitch the free short ends.
- Baste both ties at the right side notch, one just above and one just below it, pointing inward across the panel. Keep the free lengths clear of the perimeter seam.
- Place the back over the front, right sides together, with the pockets folded flat inside. Sew around the panel at 1 cm, leaving 8 cm open between the bottom notches. The strip sides, the lowest strip's bottom, the elastic ends, the ties are caught in this seam.
- Trim the corner allowances without cutting the stitching. Turn through the gap, push out the corners, and press the edges. Fold the gap allowances in and topstitch all round to close it, keeping clear of the pockets.
- Fill the pockets, roll the panel from the side without ties, then wrap the ties round and knot them.
Fabric suggestions
Outer: Canvas, duck, denim, heavy linen or waxed cotton for tools; quilting cotton or linen for a pen or brush roll.
Lining: A firm cotton or the same fabric for the back. Pocket strips are cut from the main fabric.
Interfacing, padding or other layers: Light fusible interfacing keeps a cotton panel flat. Heavy tools want canvas, a webbing band and bar-tacked divider tops.
How each fabric family suits it
- Stable woven: great choice. Presses neatly into pleats and keeps narrow pockets straight.
- Heavy or stiff: great choice. Strong enough for tools. Pleats and strips stack up layers at the side seams: use a jeans needle and grade the allowances.
- Stretchy knit: not recommended. Pockets and straps sag under load. Use a stable woven fabric.
- Slippery or fine: possible, with care. The strips shift while pleating and stitching dividers; baste first.
The maker’s advice adjusts to the fabric family you pick in the Fabric tab.
Printing it
At the starting size the printed pieces take 4 A4 pages, taped together using the page labels, alignment marks and page map. For a print shop, choose a sheet from A0 to a 36″ roll: the pieces are packed onto as few sheets as they will fit on, and if one is too big for the sheet the maker says so. Every piece here is a rectangle or a strip, so the cutting list above is enough and you can skip printing. How printing, tiling and the test square work.
Frequently asked questions
What size can I make?
The roll-up pencil or brush case pattern takes panel width from 15–65 cm (5⅞–25⅝″); panel height from 12–60 cm (4¾–23⅝″). It starts at Panel width 34 cm (13⅜″), Panel height 24 cm (9½″), and you can work in centimetres, millimetres or inches. This page starts from Roll-up pencil or brush case and Tool roll. Every starting point stays fully editable.
Which fabric suits the roll-up pencil or brush case pattern?
Canvas, duck, denim, heavy linen or waxed cotton for tools; quilting cotton or linen for a pen or brush roll. In the maker’s fabric advice, stable woven and heavy or stiff are a great choice; slippery or fine is possible with care; stretchy knit is not recommended.