Pencil Pouch from Cardboard Tubes * Moms and Crafters

I tend to not plan things typically and post out of season, so here I am, it’s May, and I’m sharing you a pencil pouch tutorial while you’re all thinking seashells. But for me, this is always in season, as this is exactly the type of thing I’d use to stow those few markers I’m using to color my current adult coloring page…

I was recently challenged to make something out of cardboard toilet paper rolls. Now, the traditional things you might make with them (fun kids crafts, animals, etc.) aren’t really my thing.

I like to make something that I can actually use… which is why I decided to go with the form of the tube and make a sturdy DIY pencil pouch that’s perfect for on-the-go.

This easy and inexpensive pencil pouch has a polished, washable surface thanks to plenty of duct tape! I actually used these for most of it, to keep the look sleek, with only one seam. I trimmed it using a coordinating blue duct tape.

I really wanted to finish this pencil pouch with a zipper because that’s the easiest, most reliable solution for something like this. It took a couple of tries to figure out the best way to attach it, but now that I nailed it, I’m ready to share it with you.

After I finished it, my husband suggested that I try one that opens on the long side – seal both edges, open the side. I would have tried that a as a variation – if I would have had more toilet rolls to try it with! But since I didn’t, I’ll leave that to you to try.

To be honest, I like that it opens on the side, because I tend to forget to close my pencil pouch and everything spills out all over – please tell me I’m not the only one who does this?!!

Call it mom brain if you will.

This super easy DIY pencil pouch is perfect for the minimalists among us who don’t carry around an entire stash of stationery. IT can fit at least five pens or pencils comfortably, and at least 12 if you’re stuffing it in.

It’s really easy to use, fun to make, and an open-ended craft that you can decorate as you wish!

What you need to make a pencil pouch:

Two cardboard toilet paper rolls or one paper towel roll.
1 sheet of duct tape
1 roll of duct tape in a coordinating color
A craft knife
Good scissors
A zipper in a coordinating color
E6000 glue (note: glue gun will not work for this as it won’t stick to the duct tape.)

How to make a toilet paper roll pencil pouch:

1. Line up your tubes and flatten them, creasing the sides.

2. Remove the backing from your duct tape sheet, place it on a flat surface sticky side up, and lay your tubes down so that they are touching each other AND lined up with the edge.

3. Fold over the edge of your duct tape sheet to hold them in place.

4. Continue rolling your tubes onto the duct tape sheet, slowly so that you don’t get bubbles or creases.

5. Trim the sheet on one of the side folds (to make it more seamless – no pun intended.) Use a craft knife for this, and place the leftovers back onto the backing of the duct tape sheet if you want to use it for another project.

6. Use scissors to trim the ends of your roll. You can even trim some tube if you want (although since you’re covering your edges, you really don’t need to…)

7. Seal your end with a strip of coordinating duct tape. Simply place it on one end of the tube, fold it over, and trim the overhang, as pictured in the next three photos.

8. Trim the zipper end. Yep, I know, I did a messy job at it. I tried doing it all with one piece of tape. I’d highly recommend doing it with two separate pieces of tape – one for each half.

9. Zip your zipper halfway. Follow my steps for the installation – don’t just glue it – as it needs to be done in this order to really get a good, smooth zip and installation.

10.Start with the top end, where the zipper would be when it’s closed. Glue the two sides into one of the corners. Tip: use the back of a paintbrush, a toothpick, or something similar to apply E6000 glue more accurately.

11. Next, trim the zipper to the size you want it – plus about 1cm to sit inside the tube. Glue the other end of the zipper to the inside of the tube.

12.Now, open your zipper completely, and glue the length of the zipper in place, allowing space for the movement (about halfway into the fabric part of the zipper.) Place your thumb on the inside of the pouch and your index finger on the outside to press it firmly in place.