ARTIST’S SKETCHPAD COVER

Ensure your creative materials are always easily accessible with this compact case.

YOU WILL NEED

Pencil or tailor’s chalk Printed cotton fabrics in co-ordinating colours Sewing machine Needle and thread Iron-on interfacing Pins Sketchpad and pencils Fabric scissors Iron-on Velcro

1 For the case, cut two fabric rectangles measuring two and a half times the width of the pad x the height plus 4cm. These will become the front and inside. 2 For the pad holder (this creates a pocket for the pad to slot into), cut two rectangles of fabric measuring the width of the pad plus 4cm x the height of the pad plus 3cm. 3 For the pencil holder, cut a rectangle one and a half times the length of the pencils x the same height as the case fabric pieces. 4 Cut and iron interfacing to the wrong side of one of the case pieces (from step 1). 5 Fold the pencil holder piece in half (from step 3) and, with the fold on the inside, tack this to the righthand side of one case piece with the raw edges level. 6 With right sides facing, pin and stitch the two case pieces together around the outer edges using the 1cm seam allowance, leaving a gap for turning through. Turn right side out, press and sew the gap closed. 7 Work rows of stitching horizontally across the pencil holder to create individual slots for them. 8 With right sides facing, stitch together the pad holder pieces (from step 2) using 1cm seam allowances and leaving a gap for turning through. Turn right side out, press and sew the gap closed. With the bottom of the pad holder level with the bottom edge of the case, pin and sew in place (roughly in the middle), apart from the top edge. You might want to fold the case up before you sew it to test it is in the right place. 9 Top-stitch around the outer edge of the case, insert the back of the pad into the pocket, slide in the pencils and iron on Velcro to fasten.

Use remnants of fabric for each section and make the case in a mix of patterns to create a patchwork effect