If you’ve been looking for a quick and creative project, sewing a pen holder is a fun way to make something practical and stylish. In this beginner-friendly tutorial, Faodail Creation walks you through how to sew a pen holder using just fabric, interfacing, and a key ring no complicated tools required!
This project is ideal for beginners who want to practice basic sewing skills and end up with a beautiful handmade accessory that keeps pens neatly organized.
🧵 Materials You’ll Need for Sewing a Pen Holder
Before we start sewing a pen holder, gather the following materials:
- Fabric pieces: 7″ tall × 3½” wide x2
- Light interfacing 7″ tall × 3½” wide x2
- Fabric Piece Contrast : 9½” tall x 3″ wide
- Light interfacing 9½” x 3″ wide
- Strap for key ring 4: tall x 2″ wide (no interfacing for strap)
- Key ring
- Sewing machine
- Iron and pressing mat
- Wonder clips
- Gütermann white thread
- 90/14 Microtex needle
👉 Tip: Use two matching fabrics for the body and a coordinating one for the strap. The strap does not need interfacing.
🪡 Step 1: Preparing Your Fabric and Interfacing
To start sewing a pen holder, attach your light interfacing to the two main body pieces of fabric.
Lay the fabric with the wrong side up. Find the rough, glue-coated side of your interfacing and place it face down on the fabric. Use your iron to press it into place always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for heat and pressing time.
Once fused, fold your long fabric piece in half lengthwise and press a crease along the top edge. Set it aside for now.
🎀 Step 2: Creating the Strap Loop
The next step in sewing a pen holder is making the loop that will hold your key ring.
Place your strap fabric right side down. Fold it in half lengthwise and press to create a center crease. Open it, fold each edge to the center line, and press again. Then fold the strip in half one more time and press.
Use Wonder Clips to secure the folds before sewing.
🧷 Step 3: Stitching the Strap
At your sewing machine, use a straight stitch and sew along both long edges of the strap. This secures the folds and gives your strap a clean, finished look.
For this project, Faodail Creation uses the Baby Lock Altair 2 Sewing and Embroidery Machine, with Gütermann white thread and a 90/14 Microtex needle for precision stitching.
🔁 Step 4: Attaching the Strap and Key Ring
Before we continue sewing the pen holder together, slide your key ring onto the strap loop you just made. Fold the strap in half with the key ring at the fold.
Find the center of your main fabric piece by folding it in half and pressing a crease. Place the loop at the top center, aligning raw edges, and sew it in place with a 3.5mm stitch length.
Trim any excess fabric from the strap for a tidy finish.
✂️ Step 5: Sewing the Pen Holder Body
Now that your strap is attached, place the second fabric piece on top, right sides together. Clip around the edges to hold everything in place.
Leave a 3½-inch opening on one side for turning. Sew all around the edges with a ¼-inch seam allowance, backstitching at the start and end to secure your stitches.
This is an important step when sewing a pen holder because it ensures your seams stay strong even after turning the project right side out.
🌸 Step 6: Turning and Pressing
Carefully turn your pen holder right side out through the opening. Use a chopstick or turning tool to push out all corners neatly.
Take your iron and press the entire piece flat, making sure the edges of your opening are folded in evenly. This will make topstitching easier and give your pen holder a professional look.
🧵 Step 7: Finishing Your Pen Holder
The final step in sewing a pen holder is topstitching.
Sew close to the edge all around your project. This step closes the turning gap and strengthens the seams. It also adds a crisp, polished edge that makes your pen holder look store-bought!
Once finished, slide your favorite pen into the holder and you’re done!
✨ Final Thoughts on Sewing a Pen Holder
Sewing a pen holder is one of those projects that’s both quick and satisfying. It’s great for using up fabric scraps and makes an excellent gift or craft fair item. With just one key ring and a bit of fabric, you can create a functional accessory that keeps your pens close at hand.
If you enjoyed this project, check out more beginner-friendly sewing tutorials from Faodail Creation on you tube. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe so you never miss a new sewing idea!
Link to You Tube tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEpLnuAW1YE
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