I just signed up for a watercolour painting class and wanted to create something to carry my brushes without them getting damaged.

I've seen a few tool scrolls / rolls ( I'm still not sure if it's a scroll or a roll) and thought it would be a fun little leather project.

I just chose some Chrome tanned off cuts I had as it was quite soft and given that I wasn't planning to do any tooling thought it would fit the bill.

After using the scroll for the last week, I'm really pleased with it, it's a great way to store my brushes and carry them to my art class without them getting battered and bruised.

Watch the video at the top of the page to see how I made mine

Step 1: Step 1: Tools and Materials

These are the tools and materials you will need:-

Materials.

I used a soft leather that was about 1.2 mm

Some thread ( about 0.8mm )

Some contact adhesive

Tools

A knife to cut the leather

needles for stitching

A square to get the corners right

A Steel rule or straight edge, to get straight edges

A pen and / or awl to mark your lines

Punch or pricking iron to make holes for the stitching

A cutting mat to protect the surface you are working on.

A v-gouge to help with the folds ( optional)

Step 2: Step 2: Calculate the Size of Leather Needed

Layout your brushes on the leather to get an idea of the size you need.

Consider adding a bit of extra space to allow for future brush acquisitions ( you know you are going to buy more!!).

Leave some space at the bottom to create the pockets ( I suggest about 3 to 4 inches ) and some space at the top to create a hem (is it still called a hem in leather??)

Step 3: Step 3: Cut Your Leather

Mark and cut your leather, you are just cutting a recatngle of leather. Use your metal straight edge to get a nice clean line. Don't forget to leave the room for the pockets and the hem

You also need a long thin strip of the leather to make a strap. I would suggest about 12 to 18 inches long and about a quarter of an inch wide. Don't make it too short, you can always cut it down but you can't make it longer.

Step 4: Step 4: Create the Pockets

1/ Work out where to make your fold. You want to fold over about 3 to 4 inches on the bottom edge.

2/ I used a v-gouge along the fold to help get a nice line

3/ Draw in the individual pockets. I made mine varying widths to accommodate different sized brushes. You want to make the line as high above the fold line as it is below. Other than at each end, don't go right to the edge of the leather.

4/ Put contact adhesive along each of your lines and allow it to go off

5/ Carefully fold over and press well (if you have a hammer gently tap down the joins.

6/ test the pockets with your brushes

Step 5: Step 5: Attach the Cord

1/ Take the cord / strip you created and attached to the middle of the right hand side with contact adhesive

2/ Cut a small square of leather and glue on top of the end of the cord to give some extra strength

Step 6: Step 6: Stitching

1/ Use a brush pushed into each of the pockets to make sure you get to the centre of each line, mark the line with an awl. I aimed for about 8 stitches for each pocket, not going all the way to the top or bottom.

2/ Punch holes for your stitching using your punch or pricking irons.

3/ Stitch using a saddle stitch.

4/ Punch a small square around the strap to stitch that in

5/ Stitch round the strap