Every drummer needs a drumstick holder. Even you Rockband types. Make this simple drumstick holder that even has a pocket to hold that drum key which you can never find when you need it.

Yes, these are Caitlin's drums. Gurlz rock.

This project was done entirely using a serger, a sewing machine that quickly binds and trims a neat edge. You could also do this on a regular sewing machine or sew it by hand.
Good beginner sewing project to get a feel for turning things inside out for a finished look.

Step 1: Some of My Favorite Things...

Most drumstick holders or kit bags are usually just flat pack bags that hang on your drums with metal hooks. They are more for the gigging musician who needs to pack it up and take all of their sticks out on the road. I just wanted a drumstick holder that would attach to the drums to keep all the sticks corralled in one place. And a place to keep that darn drum key from being misplaced and lost.

This drumstick holder is essentially a cloth tube attached to the tom-tom or cymbal stand with a pair of fabric ties. A cut up plastic drink bottle provides the shell that we will wrap with fabric. The rigid tube stays open so you can place your sticks in easily. The bottom is a two layer soft fabric bottom so you don't get a bounce or noise when you plunk in the drumsticks.

You will need:

a clean empty 1-liter plastic drink bottle.
you could probably do with an 8 inch length of 4 inch diameter pvc pipe too.

sturdy fabric in the pattern of your choice.
I couldn't find any pink camouflage so I made do from my stash.

sewing stuff to sew

scissors or rotary fabric cutting tool/mat

WARNING: Know your sewing tools. They are sharp and can poke and cut.

Step 2: Hack the Ends Off

Take a utility knife or scissors to cut the ends off of the plastic bottle. You still might need the utility knife to start the entry hole so you can cut around.

On the top or cap end, leave a little of the curvature of the bottle to make the diameter of the resulting hole a bit smaller than the rest of the bottle. This helps to keep the sticks from moving around too much.

Lop off the bottom so you are left with a straight smooth tube.

Properly recycle or discard the the top and bottom.

Step 3: Swatch It

Cut the main piece of fabric a rectangular 13 x 22 inches.

This will wrap around the bottle core and should leave enough fabric for seam allowance.

The final product is the length folded over and extended a few inches beyond the bottom of the bottle core.

Test fit to make sure your bottle core is covered before you cut.

Step 4: Quite Strapping

You can make two fabric ties in the same matching fabric or a contrasting fabric for flair.

Cut two fabric strips 2 x 14 inches.

Fold them lengthwise and serge the side. If you have a sewing machine, just run a straight seam down the side.

Close off one end of the strip with another seam.

Take something like a chopstick to help turn the assembly inside out. The drumstick will be too thick to use.

Flatten it out and seam off the open end.

Step 5: And That, You Can Put in Your Pocket

Cut a rectangular piece of fabric 10 x 6 inches.

Fold lengthwise and run a seam down the open edge.

Turn the tube inside out and flatten.

Fold in half, bring the bottom to the top.

Seam the left side and the top.

Seam about 1/3rd of the way up from the bottom.

Turn it inside out.

This creates a pocket for the drum key. The offset opening keeps the key in the pocket from falling out.

Step 6: Put It Together

You can seam or serge the top and bottom of the lengthwise piece of fabric just to have finished edges but is is not really necessary since the edge and seams are hidden.

Take the main body fabric with the unfinished side out and fold it in half lengthwise.

Double it over from top to bottom to find the midway point.

Position the fabric tie, pocket with the opening facing upwards, and the other tie on the edge.

Mark those positions.

Seam along the edge from top to bottom.

When you get to the markings, place each tie, pocket and other tie in position and sew over.

Sew the seam to close off the bottom.

Flatten out the corners at the bottom seam. You can then sew across the sharp corners to round out the shape when it is turned inside out.

Step 7: Stiffen Up

Turn the assembly inside out.

Insert the bottle core with the smaller opening on top.

The bottle core should not be pushed all the way down.

Close off and seam the top of the fabric tube.

Push the fabric in on itself on top into the tube opening. Use a drumstick to open out the bottom.

Adjust the fabric so the bottoms are even inside and out. The bottle core can then be pushed into final position up or down to where the fabric is folded in half.

Step 8: Tie One On

Pick out where you want to have your drumstick holder.

You can attach to the lugs of your drums or else hang off the cymbal stand.

Use the top fabric tie on top and the second stabilizing tie on the bottom. Adjust the lengths accordingly so the sticks are conveniently angled and out of the way.

Secure with two half hitches or any knot you like.

Place drum key in its rightful place.

Rock and roll!