Coloring Briefcase

Who doesn't like coloring?  Here is a cute and quick take along coloring briefcase for your kiddos.  

Here's what you need:  3/4 yard of quilted fabric

1/4 yard of coordinating fabric for trim 

thread

crayons

coloring book

Cut a rectangle from the quilted fabric 12 1/2 by18 inches (front and back).  

Cut two rectangles from the quilted fabric 6 1/2 by 12 1/2 inches (inside flaps).  

Cut two strips from the quilted fabric 2 by 13 inches (these are the handles).

Cut two strips from the coordinating fabric 2 by 13 inches (these are the handles).

Cut a rectangle from the coordinating fabric 3 1/2 by 10 inches (crayon pouch).

Cut two strips from coordinating fabric 1 by 12 1/2 inches (trim for the flaps).

Cut two strips from coordinating fabric 1 by 18 inches (trim).

I've used 1/2" seam allowance unless otherwise stated.

I started by putting the trim on everything first.  With right sides together pin 1" x 12 1/2" strip to one of the inside flaps.  Sew together.  Fold trim in 1/4" and press, then pin on other side of flap.  Stitch together.

Do this for the other flap and for the long edges of the front and back piece of the case.

Do you have everything trimmed out?  Cool.  Moving on. :)

Now for the handles.  With right sides together pin a 2"x13" quilted strip to a 2" X13" coordinating strip.  Sew both long sides together then turn.  Press.  Make the other handle the same way.

With the right sides together and the handle sandwiched in between the front/back piece and the flap pin it all together on one side.  We still have more work on the other flap.  

Take the 3 1/2"X10" piece of coordinating fabric and press down 1/4" of the long edges.  Stitch that down.  Now press the remaining three sides of the fabric down 1/4".  Position the stitched edge on the flap away from the trim.  Pin the pouch onto the flap and stitch the three sides down.

Now you have one big pouch.  Divide the pouch into eight small pockets for the crayons, approximately and inch apart.  I put a pin for each row and then stitched them down.

Almost done.  With right sides together and the handle sandwiched between the front/back and the flap with the crayon pocket, pin and sew.  Sew the other side also.  Turn them right side out and your done. 

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