How to make a DIY Notebook Pen Holder (Free Pattern)

Keep your pens neatly stowed away with this simple diy pen holder. Elastic back fits over notebooks and journals and doubles as a bookmark to keep you on track.

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Recently I visited this lovely bookshop during a trip. While browsing through their selection, I came across a elastic pen holder that wraps around your notebooks/journals/bibles. It was such a brilliant idea that I couldn’t wait to try and make one as soon as I got home.

DIY Pen Holder For Notebook

Most of the notebook pen holders I see (including the one at the bookshop) consists of two pattern pieces sewn together. The pattern pieces are different lengths to create a “pouch” that holds the pens.

After some experimentation, I decided on the current design because it consists of just one piece of pattern. You then fold the fabric in half to create the “pen pouch”.

Additionally, you have the option of adding two fabric tabs at the top and bottom of the pen pouch. This lengthens your pen holder and I personally think it gives it a more polished look. However, feel free to just sew the elastic directly to the pouch itself for a quick and easy sewing project!

An added bonus of this project is that it is perfect for polishing off fabric scraps. For all sewing enthusiasts out there, you know that pile of mounding fabric scraps grows…exponentially! This easy sewing project is a definitely a great scrap buster.

For More Scrap Buster Projects check out:

• Easy Key Fob
• Mini Key Chain Snap Pouch
• Mini Wallet
• Easy Drawstring Pouch

Dimensions of Pen Holder for Notebook

The pouch itself is 1.75″ (4.44cm ) wide and 6.5″ (16.51 cm) tall. If you add the top and bottom fabric tabs, the pouch is about 8.25″ (20.95 cm) tall.

Please note that the dimensions listed here are approximate and your final product may vary slightly from mine.

What do I need To Make a Notebook Pen Holder?

For this simple sewing project, you will need the following:

Materials

• EXTERIOR FABRIC – minimum scrap piece that is at least 4.5” (11.43 cm) wide and 7.5” (19.05cm) length (parallel to selvedge).
• LINING – minimum a scrap piece that is at least 4.5” (11.43 cm) wide and 7.5” (19.05cm) length (parallel to selvedge).
• MIDWEIGHT FUSIBLE INTERFACING
• 1” ELASTIC – Cut to 9” (22.86cm). I love this set of elastic as it comes in a variety of colors (there’s option for a bright color set or a dark color set).
• MATCHING THREAD

Tools

• HOME SEWING MACHINE
• FABRIC SCISSORS – these Ginghers are my favorite.
• SEWING CLIPS
• THAT PURPLE THANG – optional but super handy for guiding fabric to feed into machine
• CLEAR RULER
• FABRIC CHALK
• HAND SEWING NEEDLES
• IRON – for pressing

Pen Holder DIY

This DIY pen holder is extremely easy to make. In a nutshell, here are the steps:

1. Cut out all fabric pieces and apply fusible interfacing to the exterior fabric.
2. Sew end tabs (if using) to both ends of 9″ length elastic.
3. Sew one of the end tabs to the top of pen pouch, ⅜” (9.5mm) from right side.
4. Then, sew entire pen pouch together, leaving a 1.5″ (3.81 cm) opening on the bottom right.
5. Turn pen pouch to right side and fold in half. Position other side of end tab into the previous opening and sew sides and bottom together. Finished!

What Fabric is Best for Making DIY Pen Holder?

You can make this DIY pen holder with pretty much any type of fabric you fancy! However, in general, 100% cotton is the best fabric to use, and even more so if you consider yourself a beginner.

First of all, 100% cotton is easy to work with. It doesn’t stretch* and has just the right amount of thickness to feed smoothly into the machine. Secondly, it isn’t slippery (think satin), making it difficult to correctly lay and cut out your pattern.

Thirdly, 100% cotton is durable so your pen pouch can be washed in a washing machine should you get an unwanted pen leak.

Finally, 100% cotton comes in pretty much any and all prints and colors you desire. This is fantastic as you can match colors and prints for the lining and exterior piece.

Nevertheless, other fabric types that you can use for this easy sewing project include denim, cork, suede, vinyl, satin, knits and more! I highly recommend making your first pen pouch using 100% cotton so you get comfortable with the sewing tutorial. Afterwards, try other fabrics for a different look!

Pen Holder Sewing Pattern

To get a copy of the FREE Notebook Pen Holder PDF Pattern, subscribe to the MindyMakes Email List to receive the password for the Mindy Makes Free Resource Library. The Notebook Pen Holder Pattern is listed under section ‘N’ of the library as “Notebook Pen Holder”.

Once you click “submit”, the password will show up on the next page. You will also receive a welcome email with the password in case you forget.

Please allow up to an hour for the welcome email to fly through cyberspace and travel into your inbox. If you still don’t receive the email, make sure to check your junk or spam folders and add my email to your safe list!

Need more help? Be sure to check out this step-by-step guide that shows you exactly how to get the password, enter the library, and download the PDF.

Zippered Notebook Pen Holder

Want to make a DIY pen holder with a zipper? Check out the Zipper Pen Pouch Tutorial and Sewing pattern in My Shop. It comes in two sizes, small and large, to accommodate your needs. This is another fun and easy sewing project that is great to make as gifts!

How Do You Make a Notebook Pencil Holder

First, cut out all pattern pieces on fabric (see note below for fabric placement):

• PEN POUCH PATTERN PIECE:
  • EXTERIOR FABRIC (x1)
  • LINING (x1)
  • INTERFACING (X1) – recommended if using regular weight cotton.
• END TAB – only need to cut 2 pieces exactly (using pattern), then cut 2 rectangle pieces slightly larger than pattern (about 2.5” x 1.5”)

How to Sew Elastic to End Tabs

NOTE: If you want to sew elastic directly to pen pouch (without the fabric end tabs) skip to next section “Sewing Elastic to Pen Pouch”.

First, place elastic over right side of END TAB PIECE. lining up with short side, as pictured. Make sure elastic is centered at the short end, about 1/4” (6 mm) from both edges.

Next, place RECTANGLE PIECE over, right sides together, matching with edge of elastic. Photo shows RECTANGLE PIECE on the bottom for better visualization. . Hold in place with a clip.

The elastic will now be sandwiched between two pieces of fabric, as pictured. Repeat this on other end of elastic.

Then, sew side and edge together at 1/4” (6mm) seam allowance (dark green sew line).

Now trim off excess RECTANGLE PIECE and cut both corners at a diagonal.

Repeat on other side.

Next, turn fabric to right side. Use a point turner or scissors to poke out the corners.

Now top stitch 1/8” (3cmm) from edge (green line), leaving the bottom open. Make sure to backstitch at both ends.

Finally, repeat on other side and you are done!

Sewing Elastic to Pen Pouch

First, align one side of END TAB with top of LINING, right sides together, ⅜” (9.5mm) from right edge. If sewing elastic directly to lining, place elastic 1/2″ (1.27 cm) from right edge.

Next, baste in place (blue line) and clip other END TAB to elastic so it doesn’t get in the way.

How to Sew Pen Pouch Together

First, place EXTERIOR PIECE over, right sides together and clip in place.

Next, sew together at 1/4”(6mm) seam allowance (red line), leaving a 1.5” (3.81cm) opening at the bottom left corner. Backstitch on both sides of opening.

Then cut diagonals at corners.

Now turn pen pouch to right side through bottom opening.

Next, tuck in seam allowance of opening and give your pen pouch a good steam press.

Then, fold pen pouch in half and press it down again.

Now pen pouch will look something like this. See how the seam allowance is pressed into wrong side of fabric.

Next, top stitch upper half of pen pouch, 1/8” (3mm) from edge (red line).

Now fold pen pouch in half and hold in place with clips.

Next, tuck in other side of END TAB into bottom opening. If just using elastic, tuck in elastic into opening in the same way.

Now your pouch will look something like this (two different views) with END TAB pinned into bottom opening.

Then stitch pouch together 1/8” (3mm) from edge, green line (see note 1). Make sure to back stitch on both ends.

Finally, tack the upper left corner down, green line (see note 2).

NOTE 1: When stitching side and bottom of pen pouch, go slowly and walk your machine if necessary. Pivot at the corner.

NOTE 2: If you find it too difficult on your machine to stitch the upper left corner due to thickness, use hand sewing needles to sew that corner down.

Finished! Wasn’t that easy? Now go and make a bunch for your friends, families, neighbors and more! These make such good simple, practical gifts. In fact, gift it along with a notebook to make it more special!