Cutie Crayon Pouch -- Recycled!

Here's a quick, fun recycle project, just in time for Back to School. I love how you can see the crayons in their little pockets!

It opens flat to allow for little artists to access their crayons easily.

What you need:
~ vinyl (mine is the packaging for a comforter)
~ 22" zipper (mine was 1 1/4" wide -- you may need to adjust some measurements if yours is different)
~ about 1/2 yard of matching ribbon (mine was 5/8" wide)
~ crayons
~ notebook (optional)

STEP ONE: Cut your vinyl pieces. I used my rotary cutter, ruler, and mat. You will need:
one 7"x 10 3/4" rectangle
two 3 1/2" x 7" rectangles

STEP TWO: Fold your ribbon in half lengthwise, pressing as you go. Cut in half. Use to bind one long edge of each of your 3 1/2" x 7" rectangles.

STEP THREE: Layer your two smaller rectangles on top of your larger rectangle, with the bound edges toward the middle. You won't need to pin -- the vinyl should stick to itself nicely.

STEP FOUR: Sew your crayon pockets! Starting 1/2" from the right side, sew a line. You can then use your sewing machine seam allowance guide to sew each subsequent line 1" from the first. You will end up with six 1" pockets. Repeat for the other side.

STEP FIVE: Sew two lines to create a 3/4" section down the center. (This measurement is the width of the zipper minus the 1/4" seam allowances we will be using on each side. Adjust for your zipper if necessary.)

STEP SIX: Layer your vinyl, pocket side UP, with your OPEN zipper, also right side up, on top. Sew, using a 1/4" seam allowance. You are starting from the lower center line. When you are close to the corner, carefully curve your zipper around the corner. Continue around, stopping on the opposite side at the same line you started on.

STEP SEVEN: Zip your zipper closed and mark the line across both sides of the zipper. I used chalk, but you could also use a pin.

STEP EIGHT: Line up your chalk line with your second center line on the opposite side of the pouch. Sew the same way as you did in Step Six.

I don't have a photo of this, but you will need to clip the seam allowance of your vinyl right next to your two center lines on each side, 1/4" in. (Four clips -- two on each side.) This will help your pouch corners lay flat.

STEP NINE: Round the vinyl corners to match the curve of your zipper.

STEP TEN: Curve your zipper around to create a loop. Tack in place right on the edge of either side of the zipper teeth, but do not cross the teeth. This will allow you to still be able to open your pouch completely flat.

DONE!
Add some crayons, and maybe a little notebook, and your little one is ready to go! You can use a carabiner to clip it to a backpack!