Make a Duct Tape Pencil Case
Do you have some colorful duct tape left over after making a wallet or other project? Use it to create and decorate your own custom pencil case.
Contents
Steps
With the Opening Along the Length
- Make a sheet of duct tape 9 in. by 7 in. This will be your outside color
- Make another sheet of duct tape 9 in. by 8 in. This will be the color on the inside
- Lay them together so there is a 1/2 in. border on each 9 in. side.
- Fold the border over so there is a sheet of duct tape with no sticky edges
- Cut the zip part of a gallon ziplock bag down to 9 in. and trim around it
- Cut 2 9 in. strips of tape and then cut them in half lengthwise
- Flip the sheet of duct tape over so the inside color is facing up
- Lay the zip part open near the top of the sheet
- Use a piece of the cut in half duct tape to tape the bottom part of the zip part to the sheet, make sure you don't cover the zip part of the bag, just cover the excess plastic
- Repeat on the top of the same side of the zip part
- Flip the sheet of duct tape over and fold the sticky part over
- Cut a 3 and a half in. piece of duct tape and cut it in half lengthwise
- Flip your sheet of tape over
- Put tape on the top and bottom of the other side of the zipper part
- Zip up the zip part!
- Now, take your 3 and a half inch pieces and put them behind the sheet only halfway, if you look at the picture, you will see what I mean
- Flip up the bottom 3 and a half inches
- Fold over the sticky parts
- You're done! enjoy your new pencil case!
With the Opening at the Top
- Gather the pens and pencils you'd like to carry in your case. You can make this design to size, if you know what size you'd like. Measure the longest pen.
- Choose two colors of duct tape. You can do this project in just one color, but if you have a second color, you can make a contrasting liner. We'll call the two colors the liner color (shown here in yellow) and the cover color (shown here in blue). If you want you can personalize it, try using different colors of tape, stickers, craft foam and pipe cleaners.
- Using the measurement you have taken of the pen, cut a piece of duct tape that is 2-3 times longer than the measured pen you want to hold.
- Cut two other strips and attach all three of them together to form a duct tape fabric that is a little wider than your selection of pens. This will be the cover color tape, and it should be about half an inch or {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} wider than the liner tape. You can trim the length later.
- Next, cut strips for your liner color tape, which should be the width you want your finished pencil case to be. Attach the liner tape strips together.
- Put the cover and liner tape strips together. Make sure that the sticky portion of the cover color tape has a half-inch or {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} allowance at both sides of the liner color tape.
- Tape the edge of the bottom of the duct tape fabric and make sure that the two colors are even.
- Fold the bottom end up, and crease it without sticking the edges yet. This will form the pocket.
- Trim the sides of the folded portion. After folding it back in place, insert the longest pen inside the flap.
- Using the pen as the point of reference, make an upper strap or loop. You could bring the lower pocket all the way up or you could fold a strip of tape in three and put it near the top. Trim the finished product to the width of the liner color and set the strap loosely in place.
- Fold the sticky side flaps in and stick them down over both the bottom pocket and the upper loop. Fold evenly!
- Put your pens in the pocket and check the size. When working with duct tape, you can lift if for the first few days. After that, don't count on changing anything.
- Fold the top flap down. Decide where you want the fold. You may want to leave a little extra length in case you ever get a pen or pencil that's a bit taller than the ones you have now.
- Trim the end of the top flap so that it will stick into the bottom pocket. The easiest is to cut a straight line on a slight angle, but if you want to cut a bit of a curve, you can. In order for the sides of the curve to be equidistant, fold the top flap lengthwise in half and cut the curve through the edges while they are held together.
- Fold short pieces of tape over the sides and end of the flap and any exposed edges. If you curved the end of the top flap, you'll need to cut little slits in the duct tape on one side to receive it so it will stick flat. Here, there's another bit of tape to line the tab.
- Reinforce the bottom of the pocket with another piece of tape if you want.
- Put your pens and pencils in the case, fold the flap over, tuck it in, and enjoy!
Tips
- If you want to make a bigger one add more duct tape to make it wider and store erasers in the bottom pocket or add another one.
- You can also use this to hold your makeup or beauty utensils.
- This is also useful for school pencils and pens. It will not fit much, but if you wanted to put a couple of pencils and a pen in there for just one specific class then it would work perfect!
- If you want a cool pencil case, consider buying patterned duct tape online or from a craft store.
- When you are finished, you can get the "stickem" off the scissors and the table by pressing one more strip of duct tape against it and pulling it off, also you could use it for knitting needles.
- A method to cutting a straight edge on duct tape is to stick it to your table so it hangs over the edge. Guide the scissors along the edge of the table.
- This case is also excellent for carrying a selection of crochet hooks and a tapestry needle. It could make crochet a regular part of your travel craft kit.
- It is a bit more work, but if you know how to sew, you could make a similar pouch out of fabric. Try that chunk of denim you cut off your old jeans to make shorts. You do not need a liner fabric, but if you want one, use a piece of thin, woven cotton, thinner than denim.
Warnings
- Use appropriate caution when choosing work spaces. Duct tape is very sticky and will leave a sticky residue if left on surface for too long.
- Use appropriate caution when working with scissors.
