Paper and Threads: Making Pen Pockets for SketchBooks

Pen Pockets for Sketchbooks: I decided that I wanted a pocket to keep on my Daily Sketchbooks and designed this pattern last summer. It fits around a book cover that measures 7 1/2-9 inches in height and has a Velcro closure. The pocket easily carries 5 drawing tools. The Velcro tabs can even be wrapped around the whole book if you want to keep it closed when packing it in purses, travel bags etc. The tabs can be seen on the Back cover of the Blue Purple Sketchbook.

Pen Pocket for Travel Sketchbook: I took this recycled book, that I made a watercolor paper page block for, and added the pen, eraser, and 3 pens before we went to Spain last Fall. The pocket fits around the front cover, so you can easily grab whatever you would like and I frequently sketched standing up as I followed our Walking Tour Guides.

I make hand-dyed fabric and selected coordinating pieces for each sketchbook, but my friends each used my PDF tutorial and made one with a single piece of cotton fabric. It only take 1/2 yd of fabric.

Tutorial for Making Pen Pocket: I created a 4 page PDF Tutorial for making this pocket, and would be delighted to share it by email. Leave a comment on this blog post and I will get your comment, with your request in an email. I'll then send it to you as soon as I can as an email attachment.

Comments

I think this is a brilliant idea--practical, elegant, and probably pretty quick to execute. I had already started to figure out in my head how to make something similar when I got to the end of your blog post and saw that you were offering to share--thank you so much!

Posted by: Elizabeth Churchett | January 30, 2016 9:42 AM

Brilliant! Yes, please send me a tutorial.
Thank you!

Posted by: Vicky Williamson | January 30, 2016 10:43 AM

Posted by: Vicky Williamson | January 30, 2016 10:44 AM

Hi, Shirley. Hopped over from SBS. Just LUV your pen pockets--what a cool idea. I may try this out!
best, nadia

Posted by: nadia mamelouk | January 30, 2016 11:18 AM

I love this idea of making pen pockets for my journal/sketch pad. Please could I have a copy of the instructions. ...... Sheer genius. Why didn't I think of it?

Posted by: ,Jane steel | January 30, 2016 11:32 AM

Love love love them! I especially like the idea of wrapping it around the front cover so I it's not so bulky. Does it hold on by Velcro?

Posted by: Anna Faye korngute | January 30, 2016 11:34 AM

Posted by: Vicky Williamson | January 30, 2016 11:55 AM

I would really like the PDFs for this pen pocket.
Thanks so much.

Posted by: Dianna Lewis | January 30, 2016 12:14 PM

Thanks so much for offering to share your pattern! These pockets are great and exactly what I've been looking for. Thanks again!

Posted by: Susan Clinkscales | January 30, 2016 12:58 PM

What a great idea! Would love to make one, thank you for sharing!

Posted by: JoAnn Whitley | January 30, 2016 2:57 PM

I would love a pattern for this - they are beautiful! Exactly what I've been thinking of making.

Posted by: Sally | January 30, 2016 3:25 PM

Posted by: Vicky Williamson | January 30, 2016 4:05 PM

Thanks for sharing your idea, I've been wanting to make a pen pocket for awhile and I would love to have the pdf too. Thanks!!!!

Posted by: Teresa Bouchard | January 30, 2016 5:02 PM

Love to have a copy of instructions for the Pen Pocket... Thanks

Posted by: Bev Morgan | January 30, 2016 9:09 PM

Posted by: Bev Morgan | January 30, 2016 9:10 PM

What a great idea. I would love to receive the pdf. Thank you.

Posted by: Mary McLellan | January 30, 2016 11:21 PM

These pockets are beautiful. May I please have the pdf? Thanks for making the pattern and offering it to us.

Posted by: Susan | January 31, 2016 12:00 AM

Fantastic idea , I would love to have the PDF if that's ok . Thankyou so much x

Posted by: Jane keeling | January 31, 2016 3:33 AM

How beautiful! Thank you for sharing.

Posted by: Sue | January 31, 2016 5:31 AM

Terrific idea! Would love your instructions. Thanks!

Posted by: Jane V | January 31, 2016 8:48 AM

Posted by: Vicky Williamson | January 31, 2016 9:00 AM

I'd love to learn how to make these!

Posted by: Patricia | January 31, 2016 11:31 AM

Oh my, you are going to be busy. Please put me on your list. Of course, the hand dyed fabrics make it even more spectacular.

Posted by: Sandra | January 31, 2016 11:52 AM

May I please have a copy of the pdf's? I would love to try this!
Thank you!

Posted by: Dana renfand | January 31, 2016 12:03 PM

Please send me the pen pocket tutorial. Thank you.

Posted by: Barbara B | January 31, 2016 2:53 PM

Please send me the PENCIL pOcket tutorial. Thanks so much!

Posted by: Barbara Cunningham | January 31, 2016 4:03 PM

Very cool! I too would love the PDFs. Thanks for sharing!

Posted by: Josie | January 31, 2016 4:47 PM

Very clever Shirley! I'd love to make one for my journals... it would be nice not to fish around in my purse for a pen when I'm rushed. Thanks!

Posted by: Dana Burrell | January 31, 2016 7:22 PM

Thank you for your generosity in sharing your pattern. Please send me a copy of the pdf.

Posted by: Gill | January 31, 2016 7:59 PM

What a great idea - I'd love to have the tutorial! Thank you!

Posted by: Judy | February 2, 2016 2:11 PM

Hi Shirley. Came over from SBS. Great idea! Could I get the pattern from you? Thank you!

Posted by: Jennafer | February 13, 2016 9:53 PM

I would love a copy of your PDF! I probably could figure it out myself but it is SO much more fun to play along with someone else! I love the idea of having a place for drawing tools attached to the sketchbook... that means I can get more pens, right?

Posted by: Kathleen Roush | April 15, 2016 4:21 PM

I would appreciate receiving a copy of the PDF instructions for your interesting pen pockets. Thank you for sharing this information!

Posted by: Laurie | April 26, 2016 3:22 PM

Paper and Threads

Making Pen Pockets for SketchBooks

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