This is my attempt at making an art supply roll. I made this to fit my art supplies specifically and ran into some sizing/function issues that I will address and alter in this tutorial. The main function of this is for it to be a way to store my art supplies and bring them with me easily.

Supplies

Roughly 1 Yard of Fabric

Thread

Sewing Machine

Fabric Cutting Set (rotary cutter, mat, acrylic ruler)

Art Supplies you will be storing

Tape measure

Marking Chalk

Step 1: Make Your Pattern

Gather your art supplies and layout how you want them to be. Below is what I came up with for my supplies (24 gouache paints on left and 9 paintbrushes on right). The alternate designs shown would prevent the supplies from falling out of the roll if turned upside down.

Step 2: Cut Your Fabric

For my design (and the first alternate design), the below will explain how I found my measurements so alter them for your own supplies. For the second alternate design, the flap length would increase to the length of the bottom (long) row.

a. Bottom Row: This will store brushes and 12 small paint tubes. The big pocket will be the length of all the brushes next to each other flat (4.5 inches) and measured with a tape measure. Next is the 12 pockets for tubes. My paint tube was 3.5 in tall and 2 inches in circumference, therefore, the length of the pocket would be 1.25 inches and 3 inches tall. So, 1.25 times 12 is 15 inches plus the 4.5 brushes pocket is 19.5 inches long and 3 inches tall. Then add a seam allowance (¼ inch) three times per side for hemming both raw edges and sewing it on the base. Final: 20.75x4.25 inches.

b. Top Row: It is the same as above except there is no brushes pocket, just 12 paint tubes. This makes the size 15x3 inches but add the seam allowance three times for the final of 16.25x4.25 inches.

c. 2 Flaps: This will be the length of the brushes pocket and about ⅓ of the largest paint brush’s length. So we get 4.5x3.5 inches, then add one seam allowance for 5x4 inches

d. 2 Bases: The length can be found by adding 2 inches to the longest row’s non-seam allowance length (19.5+2=21.5 inches). The height is the tallest paint brushes height plus 1 inch (9+1= 10 inches). Finally, add a half inch seam allowance to make a 22x10.5 inch base.

e. 2 Ties: These can be whatever length you choose but the long side of the base (21.5 inches) should be the minimum. I made them like bias tape but feel free to use ribbon instead. The final ties should be 22x1.5 inches.

Step 3: Hemming

Hem all around the top and bottom row fabrics. Fold and pin the edges of the fabric ½ inch over and iron them down. Now sew these edges with ¼ seam allowance. Pictured is the only hem I did and the edges frayed since they were not hemmed.

Step 4: Start Sewing

Sew the flap pieces together wrong sides touching with a ¼ inch seam allowance and leave one 4.5 inch edge open. Flip this right side out and iron flat. Cut the excess fabric in the corners for sharper corners.

Step 5: Laying Things Out

Lay the two hemmed rows and flap on the inner base fabric. All fabrics will be right side up. Pin in place and make sure the flap’s open edge is lined up with the top edge of the inner fabric.

Step 6: Sewing Time!

Sew along each edge of the rows except the side that the art supply enters through. Don’t sew the flap, so pin out of the way.

Step 7:

For the paint pockets, use a measuring tape and mark with a pin and/or washable chalk every pocket length (1.25 inches). Do this on both rows. Then, sew a line down for each mark.

Step 8:

Now, lay the right side of the outer base piece on the right side of the finished inner base piece. Iron them together and pin all the edges together except the side that the ties will come out of and sew with a ¼ inch seam allowance. This is when the flap will be sewn. Cut the excess fabric in the corner for a sharp edge.

Step 9: Finishing Touches

Make the bias tape ties. To make bias tape, fold the raw edges into the middle, fold in half where they meet, iron it in place, and sew along the open edge. Near the end, fold end inward and finish off the tip.

Step 10: All Done!

Flip the base piece inside out and iron the edges/flap flat. Then pin the open edges inward ¼ inch and iron flat. Place the ties in the middle of the open edge and pin. Then sew the edge closed with a ¼ inch seam allowance. I stopped here, but for a cleaner look, you can sew a stitch ¼ away from the roll’s edge.

About the Creator:

Hi! My name is Coralie and I am a student assistant at EXLAB Atlanta. I love to do projects where I make something and include a more artistic element whether it be embroidering a shirt I modified or recreating a board game with my own artistic twist.