Today, I'll show you how to sew a sturdy fabric knife roll for toting your best culinary tools. I built this as a YouTube Makers Secret Santa gift for Nate From The Internet. I wanted this year’s gift to balance delight with practicality, so it has two parts (and two Instructables): the LED display case with 3D printed logos, and a sturdy fabric knife roll.

I already published a pattern for a waxed canvas tool roll, but this needed to be taller to hold long knives, and I wanted the pocket to be different too, more like my dopp kit bag. So, I’ve whipped this up as a new downloadable pattern that’s sort of the best of both worlds, and big and durable enough to tote knives.

I’ve published a free pattern for this project, which you can download and print out on regular-sized paper, then use the registration marks to tape it all together and cut out the individual pieces. The second file shows the ideal layout on fabric, but can also be used for projector sewing. I’ve also published the pattern source file, in case you’d like to make your own modifications and improvements.

If you have been following me for some time, you know I really love sharing information for free, and I never put my content exclusively behind a paywall. But I do need money to live, so I appreciate it when those of you who are able to show your support financially. If you enjoy this pattern and want to show your support, here are some ways you can do that:

Purchase a digital copy of this pattern
Purchase supplies from my affiliate links below
Support my Patreon
Subscribe to Nebula using my link

If you’re not in the position to toss me a couple bucks for this pattern, that’s ok! Download the printable pattern for free:

Supplies

Here’s everything you’ll need to make your own knife roll:

Sturdy upholstery fabric (for main body)
10 oz Cotton Duck Canvas Fabric (for lining)
or other materials of your choice, about one yard of 58/60″ Wide fabric (if your fabric is 45″ wide, better be on the safe side and get two yards)
Zipper at least 15″ (38cm) long
2x buckles and nylon webbing
Paper and printer (or projector) for pattern — download pattern above
Light pad (optional)
Sewing pins or clips
Sewing machine
Thread
Scissors
Iron and ironing board
Fabric wax (optional)

Watch the video for an overview of the project!

Step 1: Print and Assemble Pattern

Like the rest of my patterns, this one prints out on regular-sized paper, and then you tape it together using the registration marks. I find a light mat to be extremely useful for the assembly process. But if you don’t have one, you can use a window during the day instead.

This knife roll has two trapezoidal pieces, one for the pockets and one for the protective flap, and also a rectangular piece for the main body, and a few pieces for the zipper pocket. The main body pattern piece is meant to be cut on the fold, so it’s actually twice as long as it appears in paper form.

I used heavy outdoor upholstery fabric and a contrasting canvas liner, plus some elastic to create more attachment points.

Step 2: Assemble Pocket

The interior pocket is lined with the black canvas liner fabric, and the first thing to do is install the zipper. Just like my dopp kit bag, I’m using cut-your-own zipper material and adding my own zipper pulls after sewing them in. Then the tabs and end pieces can be sewn across the zipper ends. I ironed these seams and topstitched them as well. Then the corners fold together and get stitched up to give the bag some three-dimensionality.

Step 3: Prepare Flaps

Next up is the main body of the bag, composed of three lined pieces– the main body, the lower pocket, and the protective flap. Each trapezoidal piece is stitched around three sides with right sides together, then flipped right side out and top-stitched.

Step 4: Assemble Body

Then these pieces are sandwiched between the right sides of the main body piece and stitched around most of the way, then turned right side out, pressed, and top-stitched.

Step 5: Attach Exterior Straps & Stitch Pockets

Everything comes together fairly quickly at this point. I used nylon webbing strap and some plastic buckles to make an adjustable, secure closure on the exterior of the bag. I pinned on the exterior straps, which had to be sewn first because they sit behind some of the pocket features.

Then it’s time to pin and mark the pockets, which can be any width you’d like. I also pinned on two elastic bands, which will be stitched in the same places as the pockets.

Lastly, I stitched the pocket segments and attached the zipper pouch, carefully avoiding the straps that I had just sewn to the outside.

Step 6: Enjoy!

Makes a fabulous gift for the gastronomically inclined person in your life! Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Introduction: Culinary Knife Roll Sewing Pattern

Attachments