The sewing roll tutorial!

So this is the promised sewing roll tutorial from a couple of weeks ago! I’m sorry it’s been a bit delayed but life happened and I didn’t get around to writing it up until now. This is also my very first sewing tutorial! Hopefully it makes sense but if not, please let me know and I can talk you through the steps. Click on the pictures to enlarge them where necessary – there are more at the bottom of the post but please let me know if you need anything else!

I used cotton on each roll that I made and a thin fleece material from John Lewis but wadding would also work well. You can use whatever fabrics you like on yours! I managed to get both of mine out of just 20 cm strips of both fabric and fleece so this is a good stash-buster! I also used cotton bias binding and satin ribbons in varying widths.

Instructions

1. Start by deciding how big you want your roll – this will depend on what you want to store in it, how portable you need it to be etc.
2. Once you have decided on size, start cutting your pattern for the main body of the roll. I drew a rectangle and then slightly rounded the corners. If you wanted to experiment with square corners or even a fancy scalloped edge, go for it! This section does not need any seam allowance.
3. Once you have drawn the body section, decide how many times you want to fold or if you want it to roll up. I separated mine into 3 sections as I wanted mine to be folded quite flat, but you can choose more or less. If using the fold method, mark your fold lines on your pattern.
4. Start drawing your pocket pieces. I chose to do one pleated pocket, one triangular pocket on the bottom section and one long pocket in the middle. The top section I left for now. Your pockets will need seam allowance – I recommend 1 cm.
5. Cut your pieces – using the body section, cut 1 in the outer fabric, 1 in the lining and 1 in the fleece or wadding. Cut your pockets as per your design.
6. Start constructing your pockets ready to be attached. I started on the expanding pocket first by folding over the seam allowance on the top edge and stitching in place. I chose not to finish the edge before doing this because the fabric I used does not fray much and the raw edge is tucked inside. Then press and pin the side seam
   

   Click to expand to see each step

   allowance to the inside, making to make the corners neat on the inside so there is a clean finish on the outside. Place the pocket on to the lining fabric and stitch in place. For this example, I stitched the edge in place, and then folded the fabric back on itself to create an expanding pocket. Repeat this for each side. Then stitch the bottom edge in place.

7. Construct the remaining pockets. In this example, the other 2 pockets are patch pockets, so I finished the top edge first before pressing under the seam allowances for the side and bottom edges, then stitched these to the lining.
8. I chose to add ribbon ties for holding scissors on the top section, so add these at this stage if required, making sure these are attached securely.
9. Once the lining and pockets are together, line up the outer fabric, the lining and the fleece and using a large running stitch, tack in place. This stops it moving around when adding the binding.
10. Fold your ribbon tie in half, and then stitch to the top outer edge of the roll. Make sure the ribbon hangs down towards the bottom edge. and sew this securely using a zig-zag stitch as close the edge of the fabric as possible
11. Add the bias binding using your preferred method. Make sure not to catch the ribbon ties.
    

Variation
This can be adapted to suit other crafts too – You could make a wider version with heavy interfacing instead of fleece, and keep your knitting and crochet needles or even paintbrushes safe! This particular version has long patch pockets sewn into sections and a button and loop instead of individual pockets and ribbon ties, but is equally cute!

Et voilà! A completed sewing roll! I hope you like this tutorial – please let me know how your rolls go!

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