Tutorial | Make a Box Pencil Case

The past few days I've been considering getting a little leather style pencil case as I am smitten with this shape of case. Every time I thought I'd found the one I just didn't want to part with the cash, thus why I thought making one would be interesting. As I am awaiting a Royal Stewart Hobonichi zipper case for my journal it seemed fitting to make something tartan (Black Watch). I've made this a little tutorial to share with you all.

One | Fabric
Choose a fabric which suits your needs, remember if it has a huge pattern you will only see a small amount. The amount of fabric you'll need is up to you but I went with 26x16cm which is just right to fit my pens in. This size accommodates about 15 of these Uni Pin fine liners.

Two | Equipment
Sewing Machine - You can sew by hand but it will take a fairly long time
Zipper Foot for machine - This isn't essential it does help keep stitches closer to zip though
Scissors - The sharper the better
Pins
Tailors Chalk - Normal chalk or a white pencil may suffice
Ruler/Set Square
Thread
Patience
Zip - Remember to consider which length you want your case, I went with 14cm but likely could have gotten away with a 12cm.

Three | Mark Out & Cut
After ironing your fabric mark out the size you want, I used a set square to make sure it was an even rectangle. Don't be too precious about the lines as you'll be cutting them and they will be concealed seams. Cut along your lines.

Four | Attaching Zip

With the fabric pattern facing up place the zipper with the zip facing down on the edge of the fabric so the top edge of the fabric meets the top edge of the zip and pin these together.

As you can see above you need to make sure you have an even amount of extra zip either side. I added interface to the back of my fabric to add structure but in hindsight I highly recommend you don't. Now pull the end which isn't pinned upwards toward the zip, again pinning the patterned side to the front side of the zip.

When you go to sew the zip make sure there is only one layer of fabric and the zip under the foot, this can be done by tucking the rest of the case out to the left. The zipper foot will allow you to sew neatly next to the zip without going over it. Sew all the way down the zip then remove the case from your machine, trimming loose threads and do the other side of the zip.

If you turn your case inside out it will look like this now. You can press the fabric beside the zip to make it look neater and then open the zip so you can top-stitch to add a refine finish to the outside (shown below). 

The Tricky Bit 

Now this bit is fairly tricky, you need to tuck the sides into themselves so you have a flat surface underneath and on the zip but the sides have a pleat in them. It was really difficult to visualise this with photos but this is it with the side tucked in below. You need to do this on both sides, like the sides of a paper bag.

Pin the ends so the pleats stay and then sew roughly 1cm from the edge horizontally across so that your zip will be sealed (please ensure your zip is not past these pins before you sew or when you cut off this zip excess your case won't work). 

Now you can unzip it and turn it inside out again to reveal your finished case. Voila! Apologies if any of this was unclear, I had quite a bit of trouble with lighting as I did this in the evening but wanted to share the method with you. I hope you enjoy making one too.

101 in 1001 Catch-up

It feels pretty surreal knowing that it is only just over a week until Christmas, it seems to take forever to get to this time of year then it flies by in a flash. 2015 has been super productive, so much in that I graduated with my BA Hons., left the United Kingdom for the first time in 2 years and generally smashed through much of my 101 in 1001 list. Here is a summary of what I achieved so far this year from the list.

I moved house so this was an ideal time to post a snippet of my new abode.

It may have felt like an eternity doing this but I finally got it done and did really well too.

Visited the Bridewell and the Castle Museum for University projects, learned so much about my home town.

Amazing book, Cycling Home From Siberia. Reading really helps grow your vocabulary and offers a great mental stimulation.

Was a strange one but I always wanted a day bed and I got a beautiful one.

This was the comedy gig, it was amazing I really loved it.

My new running trainers which are hard to miss with all the bright colours, need to use them more in 2016.

A delightful chip into what it is to be Danish, I adored this insight into a great culture. 

I may have ended walking along the Southbank for two hours but this was a great way to see the big city.

The Design Museum I put into the gallery category as much of the work was new. So much eye candy and innovative design. They had a brilliant exhibition of women's fashion over the past century.

I ended up eating at pretty much all 5 this year including the ramen restaurant Shoryu, absolutely recommend this place.

Took the dive and bought a FOSSIL bag, I don't expect to spend over £100 on a bag every day but this was a great new go-to article in my closet. 

Speaking of closets I gutted much of my closet in an attempt to create a capsule closet. Unfortunately storage is very limited at home so this kinda failed. Maybe try again in 2016.

Radio 1's Big Weekend was intense, Taylor Swift was incredible and I went from not fussed by her to adoring her.

Not sure if this is classed as a museum but it felt like one dedicated to all things HP. Harry Potter Studios was one of my favourite things ever. A wonderful anniversary gift from my super generous boyfriend.

This is looking ahead really but I purchased the Hobonichi Techo 2016, a day to day planner for all my memories next year. I am stoked to start writing!

Me and my sister took an impromptu visit to Berlin for the Christmas Markets, a great way to close the year really.

Other mentionable events which didn't get their own posts (yet?);

Career - Branded my freelance work, applied for jobs in the creative industry, reproduced refined work, photographed my work, made a website, made an online portfolio, cleared out old paperwork.

Travel - Went to the Westfield Centre.

Creative - Knit a scarf, made labels for my storage, organised stationery, organised all loose cables (nightmare).

Shopping - Got cute book ends, bought all Christmas presents before December (99%  at least).

Personal - Finished 4/5 video games, reconnected with old friends, watched another movie in gallery at the cinema, got a new hair style.

Aus Berlin!

Last weekend I spent in Berlin to enjoy the Christmas markets with my sister. It was a magical feeling to be around the markets full of light and festive decor. I'd not been to Germany in almost a decade so this was a great chance to be around the language I'd spent many years at school learning. Berlin does have a very surreal feel of home, all the people in stores seemed more than happy to use English and the service was lovely in most stores.

The markets had so many decorations and hot drinks mixed with alcohol (Baileys etc.) and food which most definitely wouldn't be accepted on any diet. We had Nutella crepes and mingled in to the crowds, looking at the beautiful wood cut decorations and sweet treats aimed at children.

Most of the visit was spent in shopping malls, getting to try new stores like Gina Tricot and Bershka. I didn't spend lavishly although I did get a new coat, a parka which appear to be super popular in Europe just now.

Planning | HOBONICHI TECHO

I have a confession to make. I adore stationery, all sorts of stationery like; pens, stickers, nice feeling paper, notebooks etc. (the list goes on). It always feels like much of this sits in my drawers collecting dust though, so I have invested in a day to day journal/planner. Partly inspired by the amazing Michael Palin, I decided to write every day no matter how uneventful it may be. It feels very natural to write feelings and thoughts on paper, far more so than on a digital blog but I kinda feel that this could be something which inspires my blog too.

The planner I have chosen is the 'Hobonichi Techo Planner 2016' which is an English version of a Japanese planner. I'm very intrigued by Japanese culture and design so this was an easy choice for me. It might sound crazy to research planners but it is important to me to get the right kind of paper, size and feel.

"What you are holding in your hand is a techo - a Japanese daily planner. A techo in Japan is used for more than scheduling an agenda. It is also used as a sketchbook, a diary and for other jottings that together tend to chronicle the owner's daily life." - Leaflet which came with the planner.

I loved the story of this planner, that it is used for all types of people in Japan, from kids to teachers and parents alike. Another wonderful mention is from the note that came with this from the lovely folks at PocketNotebooks.co.uk, saying "Forget the app, there's a pocket notebook for that...", so charming in a crazy tech filled era.

I'm excited to escape a little into this book each day and to get full use of the extra details like tips at the bottom of each page, the marker for food plans and of course the information in the back about Japanese food and the conversion charts.