Pencil Bags

I haven't accomplished nearly as much as I had hoped to by this point. And to top it off I'm short on sleep, but I did manage to whip up some pencil pouches.



I kind of forgot about these until my mom suggested I make some. I've given them out as gifts in the past and they are always well received, so I figured, hey, why not?! I think they're pretty neat because of the way they can wrap around a notebook (or other things too!)



And they are all fully lined so they are all pretty inside too.



Never having made more than one at a time though, I learned a few things. Next time I want to make a large batch of them - pick fabrics in the same color line. I lost track of how many times I had to change my thread yesterday. Although I don't want 6 of the same exact one - I really do like making each one a bit different. But maybe 6 blue fabric and 6 reds so I only have to change thread twice.

Also, as I finished the last one, I think I thought of a better way to put them together. Now, I've never had a pattern for these, I saw someone talk about a similar idea on a blag and just set out to make one. I've made it the same way ever since. When you are only making one, it seems fast and easy. When you are on your 11th one, you start to wonder if there's a faster/better way. And I think I figured it out. So I'll definitely need to try out the new way to make it and then give a few to people to try to make sure they hold up. Although I think the new way I thought of will make them more durable than what I've done now, but these ones will hold up well too because my family - we test ours to the limit and not on purpose - my kids are just naturally rough with them LOL!

Anyway, I have a few more ideas floating around in my head - I want to make a cute Kindle holder. I was thinking I need to design an iPad case then beg my husband to buy one so I can test it out! No, just kidding, an iPad is not in my future anytime soon and I really am okay with that =)

Came back to add this - this morning my 10yo came down and was admiring them and telling me how great they looked. She told me that I could probably sell them for 3 dollars! Um yeah, they are 4.50 to make at this point LOL! Good thing she's not in charge of pricing I guess ;-)