New pattern available now! This is the Creative Maker Supply Case, available as both pdf and paper patterns right now in my pattern shop. I am so happy with how this one turned out. I made my cover samples with Alison Glass ‘Handcrafted 2’ fabrics, which I think is a great fabric for an art-inspired case.
This pattern is fat quarter friendly and has instructions for 3 different sizes of zippered supply cases. The large size case is the perfect fit for a notebook, the medium size is great for sewing supplies, crochet hooks, or colored pencils, and the small size case is fantastic for hand sewing supplies. Anything you can imagine to carry around, this case is perfect for that! All cases feature mesh and topstitched pockets on the inside for ample storage space, as well as elastic for holding pens and pencils. Great for kids, crafters, teacher gifts, and more!
A lot of people asked me where I purchased my mesh and long handbag zippers (that have the two zipper pulls). You will probably be able to find them at your local fabric store (mine has the mesh in white and a couple colors of the long zippers), but I wanted a few color choices so I bought both my mesh and zippers from By Annie. I used great coordinating colors of Aurifil 40wt thread to make my cases too.
A few of my testers used metal zippers or zippers with large plastic teeth, and I just wanted to pass along the overall consensus in that these types of zippers aren’t the easiest to use for this project because of the curves. Nylon coil zippers work best (which are very readily available – the most commonly found type of zipper, I think).
Finished Size:
- Small {5-1/2” long x 8” tall}
- Medium {7-1/2” long x 9-3/4” tall}
- Large {9-1/2” long x 12-1/2” tall}
Supplies (will make 1 supply case)
- 1 fat quarter of exterior fabric – additional fabric may be required if fussy-cutting large prints
- 1 fat quarter of lining fabric
- 1 additional fat quarter for lining pockets
- 1 yard of 20” wide Pellon® SF-101 Shape Flex® fusible woven interfacing (or medium-weight fusible interfacing)
- 11” x 27” piece of foam interfacing (By Annie’s Soft and Stable, Pellon Flex Foam, or Bosal In R Form)
- 2/3 yard Pellon #70 Peltex sew-in interfacing (or extra-heavy interfacing)
- Handbag zipper (small – 22”; medium – 30”; large – 36”) – feel free to use a longer zipper and trim down later
*it is very important to use a handbag zipper here; handbag zippers have wider zipper tape, which will allow the case to accommodate your supplies; also, many handbag zippers have 2 zipper pulls, which is very convenient, while not absolutely necessary. My handbag zipper was 1-1/4” wide. - 1/4” wide elastic (small – 1/2 yard; medium – 1 yard; large – 1-1/4 yards)
- One piece of mesh (small – 6-1/4” x 6-1/4”; medium – 8-1/2” x 6-1/2”; large – 10-1/4” x 9”)
The medium-sized case will hold an iPad, which I hadn’t even thought of when I originally drafted out the sizes. I guess it just goes to show how limitless the possibilities are (as you’ll see from my pattern testers below – horse braiding kit and Lego travel case were the two most creative!).
This is also great as a teacher gift and of course an anytime gift for a child.
I made this large-size case in Tula Pink ‘Elizabeth’ fabrics, and I love how the zipper color makes everything pop!
I made two large cases for my kids too…they were totally excited about them and still a month later, still are! They use these things all the time. I made their cases on Father’s Day morning and finished sewing both of them before lunchtime.
I’m really excited to show you all of the tester cases. Many of the tester comments were that this would be good for an adventurous beginner’s pattern (perhaps with some zipper experience, although not completely necessary!). Hope you like seeing all the tester cases – I invite you to pin your favorite case to Pinterest! Can’t wait to see which you are loving the most!
So I just wanted to show the outside and the inside of Terry’s case because she did something really interesting. First of all, she used Alison Glass ‘Ex Libris’ fabrics. She could only find white mesh, so she spray-painted her mesh half blue and half purple. I thought this was really brilliant and an easy way to get colored mesh!
Liz from Moments… made her case with linen fabric for the outside and inside, faux leather for the hinge, and 5mm headliner fabric for the main interfacing. I love how sophisticated this looks! Check out Liz’s blog for some great leather-sewing tutorials!
Kelleigh made her case with some paper-pieced flying geese for the cover, and bright polka dots on the lining! Really unique and I was hoping to see something with a patchwork cover, this is just awesome!!
Pamela of Sovanisa made the medium size case, and when she turned in her tester notes, she said that she had already gotten fabric for 4 more!! Love this, so beautiful, and you can read more about it on Pamela’s blog here!
Diane made both the small and the large cases, in Cotton+Steel fabrics by Melody Miller. She quilted the exterior fabric using straight-line quilting and used contrasting colors of zippers. She said that the large size fits her iPad perfectly for while she is travelling. Brilliant!
Chloe made two cases, and I wanted to share both here because she’s done something truly creative with this pattern. She’s taking her kids on a plane trip soon, and she told me that she wanted to adapt the cases for Lego on the go. My mouth fell open when I saw the finished photos; not only did she use Echino, but she’s made a place for everything inside the case!
KonaMona made her case in an *adorable* ninja fabric, and her photos show that the small size case is the perfect storage for a tablet! Pressed to perfection!!
Gwen from GML Designs made this case in Cotton+Steel fabrics from the ‘Black and White’ line. I think it’s completely appropriate with the pencils on the outside, and I love the finishing touch of the embroidered name on the front too!
Bree of My Crafty Crap made her case in a superhero collage of fabrics, and it’s just gorgeous! She made a small area on the inside to hold needles. So cool!!
Kristin made this gorgeous case for her beautiful daughter, and as you can see it fit all the supplies wonderfully! That looks like one happy customer. Great work Kristin!
Laura made this adorable Spongebob small sized case for her niece. Super adorable and I know any child would love this! I also love the echoing bubble print for the lining, smashing!
Vanessa made this gorgeous case…it’s so well done, and since I know Vanessa, I am not surprised at all that she made her case as a braiding kit for horses. In fact, you might know a horse-lover that needs a pretty braiding kit! So creative Vanessa!
Kathi made this beauty in a great gray and citron giraffe fabric. It’s really adorable and love the contrasting zipper on it! Great work Kathi!
Joyce from Sew BoBo made her case to fit her knitting needles, so she substituted the elastic for pockets for the needles. This is brilliant, and I love the crafty look of the exterior fabric too! You can read more about Joyce’s case on her blog here.
Laura made her case in beautiful Amy Butler ‘Belle’ fabrics (this is one of my favorite prints of hers). This is the small-sized case, and Laura’s made it to perfect fit colored pencils and a small notebook. Love it so much Laura!
Athena made her case in a great combination of swirly prints, with red mesh for the inner pocket. The case was made to hold some pencils. Great work Athena!
Peta made this lovely case for crochet hooks and supplies, and just about the coolest mesh pocket I’ve ever seen. Love that everything is safe yet totally visible inside! Brilliant work Peta!
Nikkole made this adorable case for her 5-year-old son, who she said carries it around like a briefcase. So cute for a young child, and I love the fun graphic prints that she chose! Beautiful work Nikkole!
Norma from Norma’s Bag Boutique made this great case in Type Collection fabric. It goes perfectly with the style of this case, and gorgeous all filled with crafty goodness!
Shelley made this gorgeous graphic case, complete with lots of special details, like rivets on the side…so cool! Love this Shelley!
Kimberly made this adorable large case out of cute hedgehog fabric with some Denyse Schmidt on the inside! So lovely, great job Kimberly!
Reece made this beautiful case in Jungle Ave. fabrics. This is the size large. Love how all those fabric markers fit just so! Beautiful work Reece!
Amber made her case in adorable zombies fabric, with coordinating orange zipper for the medium size. Perfect finish and love everything about this! Wonderful work!
DeeAnn made this beautiful size small case to fit her sd cards. I love the beautiful tapestry-looking print that she chose for the outside of her bag!
Tracy of I’ve Got A Notion made this case for a young artist according to her specifications, and I think it turned out brilliant! The young artist has said that you can’t have enough pockets. Love this, the patchwork is so beautiful!
Jesy of Auntie Matter made her case with the elastic aligned horizontally to accomodate her mom’s knitting needles. Gorgeous case Jesy, love that you made it for a specific use for your mom!
Madelyn made this beautiful case using sewing-inspired fabrics, and she was able to fit a ton of her supplies inside (including a cutting mat!). How perfect!
Tiffany of This Crafty Fox made the medium-sized case and used Cotton+Steel ‘Black and White’ fabrics, with a cool sketchy print on the inside. What a great idea to use for sewing supplies, and I see that Simplicity pattern peaking out from the pocket too! She also made a second case in a bright pink fabric. Just gorgeous work Tiffany!
Wendy of W.D. Handbags made her case to hold her crochet hooks and supplies. Super cute in the crafty fabric too! Love how brilliant it looks with the afghan as a backdrop too!
Allison from Allison Sews made this great case for art supplies, with a great Melody Miller arrow down the center! Several great texty fabrics and it’s a perfect compliment for what’s inside! Beautiful case Allison!
Lisa of Six Munchkin Stitching made this Doctor Who case and it’s so fun! I have since seen this pop up on Instagram, so I know that it was for a swap gift…lucky recipient!
Annette made her case to hold some crayons and other art supplies for her daughter. I saw a picture on social media of her using the case at a doctor’s visit, so I’m happy to say this one was an immediate success! Beautiful Annette!
Susan made her case in a black and red floral print, and decided to adapt the mesh pocket on the inside to have a zipper instead (there’s also a slip pocket behind it). Very creative, and a beautiful touch!
Sheri made both the medium and large cases in matching Tula Pink ‘Moonshine’ fabrics. Love that they’ve both got different types of stupplies inside, and the zipper really makes everything pop!
Fiona made this adorable Tinkerbell case specially for her little helper. I love how beautiful this one came out, and it makes me extra happy that this was made for a child who will love it!
Jennifer made all 3 sizes – large, medium (medium slightly wider to accommodate crochet supplies), and small. All three items have already been given as gifts, and I love the incorporation of patchwork into all 3!
Emily L. adapted her case into a make-up holder for her brushes and cosmetics. How clever! I hadn’t even thought of this. I like the high contrast on the inside of the case with the bright yellow fabrics. Super cute!
Tiffany made this adorable case in Tula Pink ‘Acacia’ fabrics. Check out how perfect those corners look! Great job Tiffany!
Allison made her case in an adorable alphabet print, with striking polka dots on the inside. I love the case and I also love the clever way that the crayons are alternated so fit exactly! Beautiful!
Yvette made the medium-sized case for her planner, and said that her daughter has already requested one of her own. I think it’s just perfect in this postage-inspired fabric. Great work Yvette!
Jenny from Quiltin’ Jenny made this brilliant case in this cool British fabric! Love the blue zipper, love that the inner zipper is clearly visible from the lining fabric, and love how all the pencils fit inside! Love love love!
Mims made her case in a huge floral print that spans the entire size of the case…gorgeous and what a great idea to use such a big print! It came out so awesome!!
Anni made this case and it is so adorable for a child! The tree print is adorable, and I love to see all the art supplies neatly arranged inside! Perfect finish Anni!
Maria of Beautiful Blooms made both the small and large cases. She made the medium case as a teacher gift and the small case as a coupon holder. I love the cute fabric for the teacher case and the coupon holder is yet another brilliant idea!
Bernie made her case, and when I first saw it, I thought it looked exactly like moleskin! So posh and professional! I love the cute little zipper tag too!
Marta made her case in a beautiful travel-inspired fabric, with a zipper pull and space for all of her sewing supplies inside! Super cute and very useful!
Mhairi made her case in a great unicorn fabric, with really detailed elastics on the inside. It looks great and I know any little girl would be lucky to have this!!
Grace made her case and added a handy zipper on the outside, and great clear vinyl zippered pocket on the inside. I love these great modifications, they’re perfect for what she needs to store!
Thank you to all of my pattern testers for turning in some amazing work as always! Don’t forget to pin your favorite case to your Pinterest board! And check out the pattern in my shop!
Oh, my goodness, this is the greatest! Not only are YOU brilliant, but all of your testers are, too! I’m blown away by the versatility of this awesome pattern. It’s going right to the top of my wish list!
This bag is awesome, so many uses from your testers!
Love, love, love this case. Just bought my pattern, thank you 🙂
Very well done. Could these be adapted for an e-reader? I just got one and need a case for it.
Very nice! I can see lots of folks enjoying this one, Sara. And love how you highlight the work of so many. It really is a versatile case!
They are all so fabulous!!!!
The fabrics are awesome! I love Alison Glass fabrics and did not know about Tula Pink. Thanks for the link to byAnnie.com: I didn’t know about that resource either. LOVE all the colors! You may have persuaded me to make a zipper case, too!
Love all the sizes and all the great examples. 🙂
These are all great! Love them all!
I just bought the pattern and can’t wait to get started on the sewing! I have a 10.5″ x 7″ Samsung Galaxy Tab S tablet, and the large size pattern should fit nicely, but if not, it will be easy to make adjustments I think. There will be a place – FINALLY! – for the tablet, the chargers (wall + car), the cord, SDcards, a card reader, and some extra styluses.
Buying the pattern to make a tool bag. Wondering where you got your two pull zippers. I can’t seem to locate any with two pulls.
Thanks!
Hi,
I buy the pattern and want to make one but I’m french and the conversion on cm is complicated.
any idea to convert ?