How to make a Sewing Case (original design by Noriko Osawa)

Here is a sewing kit idea to make.  The original design is by Noriko Osawa, and uses a sewing machine, but this is a hand sewn version using lots of buttons because I like buttons.

Inside cover.

The idea came from this book which you can purchase through Chronicle Books. It is one of the Kyuuto series, ('cute' in Japanese!)

This is the original design. Lovely!

And below are the instructions for my hand sewn version.

First take a piece of denim cotton material (colour of your choice) that is 26cm by 27cm.  Lay it out so the long side is horizontal.

From the bottom length, measure up 2cm and then stick, using craft glue, a length of coordinating ribbon along the horizontal line.  Let the ribbon overlap the edges by about 2cm either side.

Measure 10cm from the top of this ribbon and glue the second ribbon down here.  (It will sit just below the half way mark)

Now, embroider or embellish to your heart's content!!

You do this in the bottom right hand corner of your piece (see below)

Turn it over so the wrong side of your embroidery is in top right corner.

Place craft glue as shown, staying below the middle ribbon, and about 3cm from all three sides.

The glue helps to strengthen the cotton cover.

Carefully, fold the material down so that the middle ribbon now sits at the very top of your front cover.

Smooth it out evenly.

Now, tuck in all the seam allowances, folding in the extra ribbon inside the cover.

This is what it will look like when done.

Fold the material under as close to the ribbon edge as you can for a neat finish.

Blanket stitch (blanket stitch tutorial coming soon!) all away around the edges on the three open sides.

Now take 2 rectangles of felt 9cm by 17cm.  Use pinking shears to finish the edges off neatly.

Lay the two layers on top of the inside pages of the sewing kit.

Be sure it is facing up the right way.

On the top layer of felt, on the left side, sew a little pocket of felt. Embellish as you like.

Now, pin the felt rectangles down to the inside cover.

Using a chain stitch, stitch down the two felt pieces to the inside cover, being careful not to go through the material to the outside cover.

Add a little ribbon to help hold the scissors and keep them secure during travel.

The final step is the little pin cushion.  Take a rectangle about 18cm by 10cm.

Fold in one seam allowance on the left long side and the bottom sides, towards you, then fold the material in half so that the seam allowances are visible.

Whip stitch down the two sides separately so you are left with an opening.

Turn the pocket inside out and fill with wool stuffing.

Use a very small whip stitch to seal the pocket shut.

Attach this pillow to the inside right side of felt with a few tacking stitches.

Be sure this tack stitch doesnt go through to other side of felt or it will be visible when you turn the 'pages'.

Add four buttons to secure it firmly to the 'page'. 

Note: in this version, the pin cushion is attached permanently

Add a ribbon on both inner faces.  This is positioned half way down on the left and right sides and will be used to close the sewing kit together. Sew a coordinating button to help secure the ribbon and stop fraying.

This sewing tool kit will work wonders!