What You'll Make and What You Need
A pencil bag is a flat pouch about 8 inches wide and 5 inches tall, closed with a zipper, that holds pens, pencils, and small supplies. You can make one in an afternoon with a sewing machine, even if you've never sewn before. The finished bag takes about an hour once you have your materials cut.
Gather these supplies: two pieces of fabric cut to 9 inches by 6 inches (the extra half-inch is for seams), one 7-inch zipper, thread that matches your fabric, a needle or sewing machine, scissors, pins, and a ruler. You can use cotton fabric from a fabric store, or repurpose an old shirt or pillowcase. If you don't have a zipper, you can buy one at any fabric store for a few dollars—look for a standard metal or plastic zipper in the length you need.
Key Takeaways
- Cut two fabric pieces to 9 inches by 6 inches; the extra half-inch on each side becomes your seam allowance.
- Pin the zipper between the two fabric pieces with the zipper teeth facing inward, then sew it in place with a straight stitch.
- Flip the fabric right-side out, then sew the three remaining sides closed with a quarter-inch seam allowance.
- Backstitch at the start and end of every seam to lock the thread and prevent unraveling.
- Trim loose threads and test the zipper before calling the bag finished.
Cutting Your Fabric and Preparing the Zipper
Lay your fabric flat on a clean table or cutting mat. Using a ruler and scissors, cut two rectangles that are exactly 9 inches long and 6 inches wide. The extra half-inch on each dimension will become your seam allowance—the space where two pieces of fabric overlap and are sewn together. If your fabric has a pattern or a side you prefer, make sure both pieces face the same direction so the finished bag looks intentional.
Lay one fabric piece flat with the right side (the pretty side) facing up. Place your zipper on top of it, with the zipper teeth pointing down toward the fabric and the zipper tape (the flat fabric edge of the zipper) aligned with the top long edge of your fabric piece. The zipper should sit about a quarter-inch from the edge. Pin the zipper in place along both sides of the tape, using three or four pins on each side to keep it from shifting.
Sewing the Zipper to the First Fabric Piece
Thread your needle or load thread into your sewing machine. If you're using a machine, set it to a straight stitch with medium tension. Position the fabric under the presser foot so the needle will sew along the edge of the zipper tape, about a quarter-inch from the zipper teeth. Backstitch at the start—sew forward two or three stitches, then reverse and sew backward over those same stitches. This locks the thread so it won't unravel.
Sew slowly along the length of the zipper tape, keeping the line straight and parallel to the edge. Stop a quarter-inch from the end, backstitch again, and cut the thread. Remove the pins as you go—never sew over a pin, as it can break your needle or damage the machine. The zipper should now be attached to the first fabric piece along one long edge.
Attaching the Second Fabric Piece
Take your second fabric piece and place it on top of the first, with the right side facing down (so the pretty sides of both pieces face each other). The zipper is now sandwiched between the two pieces, with the zipper teeth pointing toward the second fabric piece. Pin the second fabric piece in place along the top edge, making sure the zipper tape is caught between the two layers.
Sew along the same line you just stitched, going through the second fabric piece and the zipper tape. Backstitch at the start and end. When you're done, you should have a two-layer fabric sandwich with the zipper sewn into the seam between them. Open the zipper partway—this is important, because you'll need room to turn the bag right-side out later.
Sewing the Remaining Three Sides
Fold the fabric so the two pieces are aligned with the right sides still facing each other. The zipper now runs along one of the top edges. Pin the three remaining sides: the bottom and the two short sides. Leave the zipper side unpinned—you've already sewn that.
Starting at one corner, sew along the bottom edge with a quarter-inch seam allowance. Backstitch at the start. Sew straight across, then turn the corner and sew up the first short side. At the next corner, pause with the needle down, lift the presser foot, rotate the fabric 90 degrees, lower the presser foot, and continue sewing. Repeat at each corner until you've sewn three complete sides. Backstitch at the end and cut the thread.
Trim the corners diagonally, cutting about a quarter-inch from the corner point without cutting into your stitches. This reduces bulk so the corners lie flat when you turn the bag right-side out. Trim any loose threads.
Turning the Bag Right-Side Out and Finishing
Reach through the opening in the zipper and gently pull the fabric outward, turning the bag inside out through the zipper opening. This is why you opened the zipper earlier—you need that gap to pull the fabric through. Take your time; the corners will come through last. Once the bag is right-side out, use a blunt tool like a chopstick or the eraser end of a pencil to gently push the corners into sharp points from the inside.
Press the bag flat with an iron on low heat, or straightforward smooth it with your hands. Test the zipper by opening and closing it several times to make sure it moves smoothly. If any fabric is caught in the zipper, gently work it free. Trim any remaining loose threads with scissors.
Your pencil bag is now complete. The seams are hidden inside, the zipper works smoothly, and the bag is ready to hold pencils, pens, or small supplies. If you want to add a decorative touch, you can sew a button or a small patch to the outside, or embroider your initials on one side before you start assembling the bag.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Sewing over pins: Pins can break your needle or damage your machine. Remove each pin just before the needle reaches it, or use a pin that sits perpendicular to the seam so you can sew over it safely.
Forgetting to backstitch: A seam that isn't backstitched at both ends will unravel the moment you pull on it. Make it a habit: backstitch at the start and end of every seam, every time.
Zipper not aligned: If the zipper sits crooked or too far from the edge, the bag won't close evenly. Take time to pin it straight before you sew, and sew slowly so you can adjust if needed.
Seam allowance too wide or too narrow: A quarter-inch seam allowance is standard and leaves enough fabric to hold without wasting space. If your seams are much wider, the bag will be smaller than expected. If they're narrower, the seams may fray or tear.
Zipper closed when turning the bag: If you forget to open the zipper before turning the bag right-side out, you won't have room to pull the fabric through. Always open the zipper at least halfway before you start sewing the other sides.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make a pencil bag without a sewing machine?
Yes. Hand sewing takes longer—about two to three hours instead of one—but the process is identical. Use a needle and thread, and sew with small, even stitches about a quarter-inch apart. Backstitch frequently to keep the seam strong. Hand-sewn bags are just as durable as machine-sewn ones if the stitches are tight and close together.
What if my zipper is longer than 7 inches?
A longer zipper works fine; it will just stick out past the edge of the bag. After you turn the bag right-side out, trim the excess zipper tape with scissors, leaving about a quarter-inch past the seam. Seal the cut edge with a small dab of clear fabric glue or nail polish to prevent fraying, or straightforward fold the excess tape to the inside and stitch it down by hand.
Can I use a different fabric like felt or fleece?
Yes. Felt and fleece both work well and don't fray, so you can skip trimming the seams. They're also easier to sew because they're thicker and hold their shape. Avoid very stretchy fabrics like spandex or swimsuit material, as they're difficult to sew straight and may pucker.
What should I do if the zipper gets stuck while I'm sewing?
Stop when ready and don't force it. Gently wiggle the zipper slider back and forth to free it, or explore a tiny amount of graphite pencil lead to the zipper teeth to lubricate them. If fabric is caught, carefully pull it free with tweezers. Once the zipper moves freely, continue sewing.
How do I make the bag bigger or smaller?
Cut your fabric pieces larger or smaller, but keep the proportions roughly the same. For a wider bag, add an inch to the width. For a taller bag, add an inch to the height. Adjust your zipper length to match the new width—it should be about an inch shorter than the width of your fabric pieces. A 9-inch by 6-inch bag holds standard pencils; go to 10 inches by 7 inches for markers or larger supplies.