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DIY Pencil Clutch

August 25, 2014 19 Comments

DIY Pencil Clutch - Get the tutorial at handsoccupied.com

Around this time of year as a kid, I’d organize all of my school supplies. I’d sit on the floor three-hole punching and reinforcing my 5 for $1 folders with packing tape and covering them in drawings related to the subject I’d decided they were for. My notebooks, of course, would color-correspond with their folders. And then I’d set up a sweet binder with all my folders and class schedule. It was so dope.

All that is to say, I’m now a professional librarian, and my alarming level of nerd love for school supplies has yet to wane. A couple years ago, I made a clutch using rulers and felt that I am still pretty excited about and use all the time. Since I can’t get enough of all things bookish, I recently got the notion in my head to take the school supply clutch concept to the next level with pencils and a slightly different structure, and I think I might love this one even more!

DIY Pencil Clutch - Get the tutorial at handsoccupied.com

Supplies

30 pencils
quilting thread
1/4 yd. wool felt
sewing needle
scissors
straight pins
snap closure

DIY Pencil Clutch - Get the tutorial at handsoccupied.com

Directions

Cut out a felt rectangle that is 18 inches by 7.5 inches. Sew 30 pencils one by one, over the center of the felt rectangle (I know, I didn’t center mine, but I recommend it from experience, ha!).

DIY Pencil Clutch - Get the tutorial at handsoccupied.com

I attached my pencils by tightly sewing twice around each end of the pencil as well as the center of the pencils, and sewing the pencils together by sliding the needle under the previous pencil’s threads as I went. Another alteration I recommend from the pictures here is not sewing the pencils down so close to the ends. If you sew around your pencils about 3/4 of an inch from the ends of the pencil, plus right down the center, they’ll be more secure. :)

DIY Pencil Clutch - Get the tutorial at handsoccupied.com

Once your pencils are secure, the hardest part of the clutch is over! Next cut out two rectangles of felt that are 9.5 inches by 3 inches.

DIY Pencil Clutch - Get the tutorial at handsoccupied.com

Fold in the pencil-free ends of the felt and sew them down with a running stitch along the eraser edge and the pencil end edge. Then fold one 9.5×3 inch rectangle exactly in half and pin to keep the fold. Center the folded rectangle on one of your running stitch edges of the soon-to-be clutch. Sew the folded end of the rectangle flush to the edge of your clutch, again with a running stitch.

DIY Pencil Clutch - Get the tutorial at handsoccupied.com

In this photo I’m pointing out how that sewed edge looks on my finished clutch, for your reference.

DIY Pencil Clutch - Get the tutorial at handsoccupied.com

Then align the non-creased end of your folded rectangle with the top of your clutch. sew each edge down from the top of the clutch, stopping when you run into the sewn down, folded edge of your rectangle. This picture should help you visualize what I mean.

DIY Pencil Clutch - Get the tutorial at handsoccupied.com

Yes, there’s supposed to be a little bit of a fold where the tall edges of the rectangle meet the folded edge. This allows the clutch to open nicely and accommodate more stuff.

Next, sew on your clutch’s snap closure, and repeat the process of sewing the small rectangle onto the other side of your clutch.

DIY Pencil Clutch - Get the tutorial at handsoccupied.com

At this point, if you’ve got any felt sticking out past the edges or top of your clutch, feel free to trim it for a crisper look.

DIY Pencil Clutch - Get the tutorial at handsoccupied.com

Ta da! Another bookish clutch to add to your fall wardrobe! I’ve taken this rad little clutch out to dinner a couple times since finishing it, and it totally works. The only flaw is that I sewed the eraser and writing ends of the pencil down too close to the edge, so occasionally a pencil will pop out of its thread. A popped-out pencil is fixable, but it’s easier to prevent the popping in the first place. That’s why I recommend sewing them down 3/4 of an inch from each end. It’s more secure that way. :)

DIY Pencil Clutch - Get the tutorial at handsoccupied.com

What do you think? Too wacky? Do you love it? I think this goes really well with some of my funkier, bright dresses, and holds the perfect amount of stuff for an evening out.

PS: If you like this clutch, here’s a shot of the ruler clutch I mentioned at the top of this post. You can click the image below to go to that tutorial.

How-to: Ruler Clutch Purse | HandsOccupied.com

Filed Under: Back to School, DIY Style, How-to Tagged With: accessories, back-to-school, clutch, crafts, diy clutch, pencil clutch, pencils, purse

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad (she/her) is a craft book author & designer specializing in yarn crafts. Her work combines vintage and modern design elements, prioritizing color and graphic motifs. Her first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is out now.

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Comments

  1. Elba Valverde

    August 25, 2014 at 2:58 pm

    Such a clever idea and how fun!

    Reply
  2. evelyn

    August 25, 2014 at 5:02 pm

    amazing!!! I’ve always had warm cuddly feelings about school and office supplies, and I can’t wait to make this clutch. I may start stitching yellow pencils everywhere…

    Reply
  3. Morena

    August 25, 2014 at 5:37 pm

    This is SERIOUSLY cute! I want one!

    Reply
  4. Alexis @ Persia Lou

    August 26, 2014 at 11:01 am

    Oh my goodness! This is the cutest thing ever. My absolute favorite back to school project I’ve seen this year. I would love, love, love if you came by and linked up with us at The Makers link party over on my blog. :)

    Reply
  5. Sky Turtle

    September 6, 2014 at 1:00 pm

    Nice! I really like it!

    Reply
  6. Christel

    September 12, 2014 at 3:00 am

    This is such a mad idea, I love it. thanks for sharing.
    Christel

    Reply
  7. Kim // Yellow Brick Home

    September 12, 2014 at 4:27 pm

    Okay, you are the cutest!

    Reply
  8. Riva

    September 13, 2014 at 5:11 pm

    Oh my gosh! this is soooooooo cute!

    Reply
  9. Lia

    September 18, 2014 at 8:48 pm

    This is brilliant & cute!

    Reply
    • Heidi

      September 18, 2014 at 10:08 pm

      Thanks, lovely!

      Reply
  10. Leah

    August 19, 2015 at 10:08 pm

    Adorable… I wanted to be a librarian, but didn’t have the way to get the Masters. However, they didn’t have cool color coordinated stuff when I was a kiddo so I couldn’t have done what you used to do. Think of me as probably closer to your mother’s age…

    I love this clutch! I may just have to make it, but not with yellow pencils… I’ll have to see what color I can find – or colors… I like colors!

    Reply
  11. Atiqah

    August 25, 2015 at 3:03 pm

    First of all, this is so cute and it is to-die-for. I’d like to make it, as the idea and the look of it is just purely amazing, however, have you done a smaller sized clutch like this? I would like to make a smaller clutch and I don’t know what measurements would work, especially, as I’ve never tried this before. If you could help me, that would be great!

    Reply
    • Heidi

      August 25, 2015 at 5:47 pm

      I haven’t done a smaller clutch like this with pencils, but the techniques I used in making my ruler clutch (mostly sawing the yardsticks smaller) might come in useful!

      Reply
      • Atiqah

        August 25, 2015 at 10:50 pm

        Thanks for the tip! I’ll check out your ruler clutch!

        Reply
  12. Cat T

    February 21, 2016 at 5:09 am

    Very creative! Don’t forget all you crafty people, that these cheap school supplies can be used internally for structure to your projects as well. Need a little stiffener across the bottom of a purse or bag, make a false bottom sleeve (or even an insert that just lifts out) where it can slide in, and make it removable for washing. “Back to school” season in August brings around those penny to 50 cent items like these.

    Reply
  13. Jenny

    May 19, 2016 at 1:58 am

    May I know how thick is the felt that u use? I worry if it’s too thin it doesn’t hold the shape and if it’s too thick, it’ll be too clumsy! I am so gonna make this, it’s so cute!

    Reply
    • Heidi

      May 23, 2016 at 8:25 am

      It’s more about the content of the felt. 100% wool felt is way stronger than acrylic. I used the standard 100% wool felt available at Joann, my local big box fabric store. Hope this helps!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 5 DIY’s to Try: Back to School Edition | francois et moi says:
    August 27, 2014 at 6:45 am

    […] pencil clutch. How clever are […]

    Reply
  2. Mr. Kate | Top 11 Back to School DIYs says:
    August 18, 2015 at 5:02 am

    […] Hands Occupied did an amazing job with this DIY Pencil Clutch which I think would make a very metal pencil/pen case for your […]

    Reply

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Heidi Gustad from Hands Occupied / Craft Book Author and Knitting, Crochet, Latch Hook and Macrame Designer

Hi! I’m Heidi (she/her/hers), and I’ve been helping yarn crafters untangle various techniques on the internet since 2010. I got my start here, as a blogger, and since then I’ve shared more than a few tutorials here and on YouTube as I’ve grown as a pattern designer. 🧶 

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Heidi Gustad 🧶 knitting & yarn crafts

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POV: Showing you how my new Bevelled Tank pattern POV: Showing you how my new Bevelled Tank pattern fits with no ease vs. 4” of positive ease. There’s a bit more length to the cotton (brighter color) sample, but both are cropped and feature shoulder seams designed to sit an inch back onto the shoulder instead of on top, giving it a little swing. Length is easily adjustable for folks looking for less of a crop. 
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Pattern: Bevelled Tank by @handsoccupied for @pompommag x @hobbii_yarn summer 2024. Available for free from Hobbii at the 🔗 in my profile.
Yarn pictured: @kelbournewoolens Skipper and Camper. 
Dress form is adjusted to a 36” chest and ~5’3”ish in height. 
Human has a 40” chest and is 5’5”.
Both skirts are vintage.
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #handsoccupied #intarsia #handmade #knitting #colorwork
Let’s talk about fit and ease! . During the Beve Let’s talk about fit and ease!
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During the Bevelled Tank design process for @pompommag, I knit 2 samples using 2 different @KelbourneWoolens yarns. One was in Skipper (100% cotton, second photo) and the other was in Camper (100% 2 ply wool). The Skipper sample was knit for a 36” bust, which measures in at 40” with 4” of positive ease. And I knit the Camper Sample for my 40” bust with a 44” finished measurement. (BTW, I’m 5’5” for folks that find that measurement helpful in visualizing fit.)
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Based on the size chart for the Bevelled Tank, that means I knit one size 3 sample and one size 4. As designed, I conveniently fit a size 4 as intended with 4” of positive ease. When I wear the 3, there is no ease at all because the garment and my body are both 40” in size. Comparing the 2 garments, you can see how the fiber content (cotton vs. wool) and fit (no ease vs. 4” of positive ease) makes a difference in the look and feel of the finished garment. 
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These samples are a great way to compare what ease looks like on different bodies. While I can fit both a size 3 and 4, the garment with no ease feels more like pajamas or a bralette when I wear it. On the other hand, when I wear the one with 4” of positive ease, I feel comfortable enough to wear it to work, even as a crop top. Plus, it leaves me with enough room to layer it with a nice button down if I’m not feeling the cropped look one day. 
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I’m curious - how would you style this tank? Would you modify it with a few stockinette rows for added length? I’m so curious now that this pattern is finally out in the world. :) 
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #bevelledtank #handsoccupied #knitting #intarisa #handmade #kelbournewoolens #croppedsweater #summerknits
After a 6 month hiatus, I am happy to say I’m ba After a 6 month hiatus, I am happy to say I’m back with a brand new pattern in 9 sizes, and it’s FREE as part of @pompommag x @hobbii_yarn’s summer design collection! (Link is in my bio.)
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In my December newsletter, I announced that I was soliciting test knitters for a pattern that had originally been selected for the summer ’24 issue of Pom Pom Quarterly magazine. However, the magazine ceased publication after its spring ’24 issue, leaving in-progress designs unpublished. (It happens.) As a result, I’d begun the long process of editing, testing, and photographing the pattern for independent release through the Hands Occupied pattern shop and Ravelry.
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Before I was done with that process, Pom Pom Quarterly’s former editors reached out with an exciting proposal for the pattern. Post-magazine, they’ve begun to partner with yarn companies to produce high quality pattern collections. They wanted to include designs from the would-be current issue of Pom Pom Quarterly in a new collection for Hobbii yarn, including my Bevelled Tank. I worked with the same technical editors I would have for the magazine on this one, and as you can see from the photos, Pom Pom’s team did an amazing job of styling the garment to the beautiful standards they’re known for.
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You can learn more about the pattern on my blog and get the free pattern from Hobbii yarn - links to both in my profile. I’ll post sizing info in the comments for quick reference too. 🧶
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #knitting #intarsia #sponsored #colorworkknitting 
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Photos: @dianascarrunz 
Model: @angel.jade_
Here’s a nice throwback for you: my take on a vi Here’s a nice throwback for you: my take on a vintage knitting pattern from 1938 called the Fernlace Pullover. A pattern so nice, I knit it twice.
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Yellow version 💛: knit with Despondent Dyes’ Vintage Vixen Sport after attending a @squidneyknits vintage knitting retreat in 2019 & learning *so much*. Paired with a self-drafted circle skirt pattern. 
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Blue version 💙: knit with @eweeweyarns Ewe So Sporty in Sky Blue. Paired with the 1940s Boardwalk Duet sewing pattern from @decades_of_style 
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Head to my stories for 🔗🔗 to the handmade wardrobe blog posts I wrote about each take on the Fernlace Pullover, working with a vintage pattern, where to find vintage patterns (including the one I used), & some thoughts on sizing. 
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Image descriptions available in alt text. 
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Frogging is a word in the knitting world that mean Frogging is a word in the knitting world that means to rip out your knitting. It’s called frogging because frogs say “ribbit,” and when you’re tearing out your knitting, you will “rip it” out, and that sounds like ribbit. No really. 🐸 Did you know this fun fact? 
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P.S. I did like this design concept, but to make the pattern more knitter friendly as well as more wearable, I am making some tweaks to the construction. Excited to share when it’s ready! 🥰🧶
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Yarn: @blueskyfibers Woolstok North in Morning Frost & Highland Fleece 
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