Create your very own adorable felt pencil case pals! This month's Little Makers kit lets you transform soft felt, colourful details and stitching into two cute pencil cases — a playful cat and a friendly puppy.
Take your time with this project. Sewing your pencil pals together is a little fiddly, but once you get the hang of the blanket stitch, you'll be creating a lovely handmade case to keep your favourite pencils, pens or little treasures safe.
What's in your kit?
- Tapestry needle
- Two Velcro fasteners
- Two paw charms
- Orange embroidery thread
- Orange self-adhesive suede
- White self-adhesive suede
- Black self-adhesive suede
- Cat template
- Dog template
- Three pieces of grey felt
You'll also need
- A ruler
- A pen (not a felt tip pen, as it may show through the felt)
- Scissors
- A book cover, craft mat or something soft to press your needle into
- An adult to help if you find pushing the needle through the felt tricky
🎥 Watch the Video Tutorial
September's Little Makers Kit: Felt Pencil Pals Tutorial
Step 1: Prepare your felt pencil case
Take one piece of your pre-cut felt, your ruler, pen and scissors.
Using your ruler, measure 12cm from the bottom of the felt and mark this on both sides. This will help you create a straight fold for the base of your pencil case.
Fold the felt over along your line and gently press down with your fingers to create a crease. This will help keep your case folded while you stitch.
Your felt should now look like a little pouch ready to sew together!
Step 2: Mark your stitching holes
Using your ruler, mark small spaces along both sides of your folded felt.
These marks will show where you will push your needle through when sewing your pencil case together.
Try to keep your marks evenly spaced so your stitching looks neat and tidy.
Step 3: Prepare your thread
Cut a piece of orange embroidery thread that is around four times the length of one side of your pencil case.
To stop your thread pulling through the felt, make a large knot at one end.
Create a loop with the thread, then feed the tail through the loop three times before pulling it tight.
Now thread your tapestry needle. Ask a grown-up for help if you need it.
Step 4: Sew your pencil case together
Place your felt onto your book cover, mat or another soft surface.
Carefully push your needle through your first marked hole.
Once you have made the first hole, open up your pencil case and pull your thread through from the inside so the knot is hidden.
Now it’s time to create your blanket stitch!
Push your needle through the next hole, but before pulling the thread all the way through, create a loop with the thread. Push your needle through the loop and gently pull it tight.
This creates a lovely stitch around the edge of your pencil case.
Continue stitching all the way along one side.
Step 5: Finish your stitching
When you reach the end, make a small knot to secure your thread.
To hide the leftover thread, feed it underneath a few of your stitches inside the pencil case, pull it tight and carefully trim away the extra.
Repeat the stitching on the other side of your pencil case.
Remember, you will need to make two pencil cases — one cat and one dog!
Step 6: Create your cat's ears
Take the smaller cat template and carefully cut out all the shapes.
Place the ear templates onto your extra grey felt, draw around them and cut them out.
Position your ears on the back of your pencil case, leaving enough space to stitch them in place.
Thread your needle with orange thread and stitch around the edges of each ear to attach them securely.
You can use your finger as a guide to help space your stitches evenly.
Step 7: Add your cat's face
Use the face templates to draw and cut out the different pieces from your self-adhesive suede.
You’ll need:
- White pieces for the eyes
- Black pieces for the eyes, nose and details
Before sticking anything down, place all your pieces on your pencil case to decide where you would like them to go.
Once you're happy, peel off the backing and stick them into place.
Don’t forget to leave space for your cat’s smile and whiskers!
Step 8: Stitch your cat’s smile
Using your orange embroidery thread, stitch your cat a cute little smile.
Push your needle through from the back so your knots are hidden.
Follow your drawn design, moving backwards and forwards through the felt until your smile is complete.
Step 9: Add your cat’s whiskers
Decide how many whiskers you would like your cat to have — two or three on each side.
Use your pen to mark where your whiskers will go.
Using your orange thread, stitch along your markings to create your whiskers.
When you reach the end, tie a secure knot and trim away any extra thread.
Step 10: Add your cat’s collar and charm
Cut a small strip from your orange self-adhesive suede to make your cat’s collar.
Place it underneath the chin area, leaving a little piece showing.
Attach your paw charm using a small piece of thread so it hangs from the collar.
Step 11: Add the Velcro fastener
Peel away the backing from your Velcro fastener.
Stick one piece underneath the flap of your pencil case and press firmly.
This will help keep your pencils and treasures safely inside.
Step 12: Make your puppy pencil case
Now it’s time to make your second pencil pal!
Use the larger dog template to cut out your puppy’s face pieces.
Cut out:
- Two grey ears
- White eyes
- Black eye patch
- Black inner ears
- Black pupils
- Black nose
Arrange all your pieces first to decide where you would like them to go.
Step 13: Stitch your puppy’s details
Attach your puppy’s ears using the same stitching method as your cat.
Then add the eyes, nose and other details.
Stitch a cute smile using your orange thread, just like you did for your cat.
Finish by adding the orange collar, paw charm and Velcro fastener.
✏️🐶🐱 Your Felt Pencil Pals are finished!
Well done, Little Maker! You’ve created two adorable felt pencil cases that are perfect for keeping all your favourite things safe.
Your pencil pals are great for:
- Storing pencils and pens
- Keeping little treasures together
- Taking your favourite stationery on adventures
- Giving as a handmade gift
Every Little Maker’s pencil pals will look completely unique, so have fun choosing your designs and adding your own personality.
We’d love to see your finished creations! Ask a grown-up to take a photo and share it with the Craftiosity community or send it to us by email.
Happy crafting!
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