Roll Up Sewing Kit Tutorial

I was going through some of my late grandmother's things a few months back and found a box with some craft supplies. Inside, I found this rolled up piece of what I thought was just lace. I could see some red showing through, so I unrolled the lace and found this neat handmade sewing kit.

This photo shows it when it is rolled up and tied.

Here you can see what it looks like when it is unrolled. There are two strips of fabric holding thread and various sewing notions.

I liked it so much, I put together a tutorial for making them. I think they would make a nice holiday gift for friends and coworkers. I like that you can really customize this to what your sewing needs are and it holds more notions and thread than a standard sewing kit, without taking up a lot of space. You can use a wide ribbon instead of lace, to give the sewing kit a new look. Use a fun printed ribbon to make a sewing kit for kids.

This is a simple project that doesn't require a sewing machine since all of the stitching is done by hand, so this would be a great project for a youth group to do.

Project Supplies:

12 1/2 inches of 2 1/2 - 3" lace or ribbon (if using ribbon, I would suggest grosgrain because it is more sturdy)
8 inch x 3 inch piece of felt in contrasting color (this piece will be on the bottom and show through the lace) (A)
6 1/2 inch x 2 1/2 inch piece of white or cream colored felt (B)
16 inch piece of 3/8 inch ribbon
1/2 inch decorative button to match ribbon
Needle and thread to match lace and ribbon
assorted sewing notions: safety pins in various sizes, straight pins, sewing needles, snap closures, hook and eye closures, small neutral colored buttons, thread in desired colors, etc.
Optional: Pinking shears

Cutting instructions

Cut lace to 12 1/2 inches long
Cut felt A 8 inches long and 1/2 inch narrower than width of your lace/ribbon (trim edges with pinking shears, if desired)
Cut felt B 6 1/2 inches long and 3/4 inch narrower than width of your lace/ribbon (trim with pinking shears, if desired)

Sewing Instructions

Lay felt strip A on top of the lace, 1 inch from the left edge. Place the second felt strip on top of the first one so that the left edges are matched up. Fold up the raw edge of the lace over a 1/2 inch and then roll over again so that it rolls over the edges of the felt. Pin in place.
On the opposite end, fold the raw edge of the lace over 1/2 inch and fold over another 1/2 inch and pin (the felt strips will be loose on this end).
Using thread that matches the lace and a backstitch, sew along the inside folded edge of the lace (see photo) through all of the layers to secure the felt in place.
Close the upper and lower ends of the lace with a small whip stitch, making sure the raw edge is tucked inside.
Sew the other end of the lace with a whip stich, enclosing the top and bottom edges as in the previous step.

Project Supplies:

Cutting instructions

Sewing Instructions

Click to finish the Roll Up Sewing Kit

Looking for more quick sewing projects? Take a look at these books!

	Tamara Bostwick BellaOnline's Sewing Editor