DIY Roll-Up Pencil Organizer in 15 Minutes: Step-by-Step Guide

Pencil organizers might not sound exciting, but this rollup version is unexpectedly charming.

I know — a pencil caddy isn’t the most thrilling item. But a compact rollup organizer that holds a lot of pens, pencils and small tools while taking up almost no space? That’s useful and, when made with a pretty tea towel, it can be really cute.

This is a quick, practical project that takes about 15 minutes and requires only a tea towel, a sewing machine and thread. That’s all you need to make a neat rollup organizer you can stash in your bag, drawer or studio.

We’ve made a few of these and they’ve been great for keeping pencils, scissors, paintbrushes and other small tools within reach in the studio. They’re also perfect for back-to-school kits or as a small, thoughtful handmade gift. Follow the instructions below to make one yourself.

How to Make a DIY Pencil Organizer

Materials for Rollup Pencil Caddy

• one tea towel with an appealing design
• sewing machine and thread
• (optional) thin leather strip, about 8–12 inches long, for tying

Making a Pencil Organizer (Instructions)

1. Lay the tea towel flat. Place a pencil (or the item you’ll store) horizontally to mark how high the pockets should be from the bottom. Pin both sides and sew up the left and right edges to create a pouch area. Remember to backstitch at the start and end of each seam for strength.

2. With the pencil or your tools still in place, estimate the width of each slot and pin vertical dividing lines. Sew these lines from the bottom edge up to the height determined in step 1, which creates individual pockets for pens, brushes and similar items. Backstitch at both ends of every line.

3. Fold over the top section to create the flap. If the towel is the right length, you won’t need to trim it; otherwise, cut off any excess fabric and hem the raw edge for a clean finish.

4. For a neater, stiffer flap that lies flat when folded over the pockets, press the fold with an iron and stitch a seam across the flap from side to side.

5. (Optional) Use a thin leather strip to keep the rollup secure. You can wrap the strip around the rolled organizer and tie a knot, or sew one end of the strip to the towel if you prefer it to be attached.

Other Uses for the Rollup Organizer

This simple rollup design is very versatile—far beyond pencils. It makes a compact makeup brush roll for brushes, eyeliners and lip products, or a portable holder for artist brushes, pottery tools or other narrow instruments. I use one for pottery tools in the studio and it keeps everything together and easy to find.

These organizers are also handy to toss into a purse to keep small essentials from getting lost at the bottom of the bag. Compared to single loose items — a pencil, a key, gum — a rollup is much easier to keep track of.

Because small items tend to vanish in my workspace, these rollups have saved me time and frustration. They’re compact, customizable, and fast to sew — a practical project that looks pleasing and performs well.

How to Make a DIY Pencil Organizer

Brittni

In about 15 minutes, you can turn a tea towel into a tidy rollup organizer. With basic sewing skills and a few materials, you’ll have a portable storage solution for pencils, brushes and more.

Equipment

• tea towel with an interesting design
• sewing machine and thread
• (optional) thin leather strip, 8–12 inches long

Instructions

• Lay your tea towel flat. Use a pencil or the item you’ll store to measure where the pocket fold should be from the bottom. Pin both sides and sew the left and right seams. Backstitch at the beginning and end.
• With your pencil or tools in place, mark and pin vertical dividing lines to create individual slots. Sew each dividing line from the bottom up to the fold height, backstitching at the ends.
• Fold the top section down to form a flap. If the towel is longer than you need, trim the excess and hem the edge for a clean finish.
• For a flatter, sturdier flap, press the fold with an iron and sew a seam across the flap from side to side.
• (Optional) Wrap a leather strip around the rolled organizer and tie a knot to keep it closed, or sew the strip to the towel if you prefer it attached.

Sewing: Rachel Brewer
Photography: Amelia Tatnall and Brittni Mehlhoff

Do you often misplace small craft supplies like I do? Would you try making this DIY pencil organizer?