Pencil Pouch from Cardboard Tubes

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I tend to not plan things typically and post out of season, so here I am, it’s May, and I’m sharing you a pencil pouch tutorial while you’re all thinking seashells. But for me, this is always in season, as this is exactly the type of thing I’d use to stow those few markers I’m using to color my current adult coloring page

 

Make this easy pencil pouch from cardboard tubes - yep, you heard right! I made this adorable pencil case using upcycled toilet paper rolls that were headed for the trash. I use it to stow my adult coloring tools for my current work in progress but it's great for pencils, and a perfect back to school craft for big kids, teens, and tweens!

 

I was recently challenged to make something out of cardboard toilet paper rolls. Now, the traditional things you might make with them (fun kids crafts, animals, etc.) aren’t really my thing.

I like to make something that I can actually use… which is why I decided to go with the form of the tube and make a sturdy DIY pencil pouch that’s perfect for on-the-go.

 

Make this easy pencil pouch from cardboard tubes - yep, you heard right! I made this adorable pencil case using upcycled toilet paper rolls that were headed for the trash. I use it to stow my adult coloring tools for my current work in progress but it's great for pencils, and a perfect back to school craft for big kids, teens, and tweens!

 

This easy and inexpensive pencil pouch has a polished, washable surface thanks to plenty of duct tape! I actually used these for most of it, to keep the look sleek, with only one seam. I trimmed it using a coordinating blue duct tape.

 

I really wanted to finish this pencil pouch with a zipper because that’s the easiest, most reliable solution for something like this. It took a couple of tries to figure out the best way to attach it, but now that I nailed it, I’m ready to share it with  you.

 

Make this easy pencil pouch from cardboard tubes - yep, you heard right! I made this adorable pencil case using upcycled toilet paper rolls that were headed for the trash. I use it to stow my adult coloring tools for my current work in progress but it's great for pencils, and a perfect back to school craft for big kids, teens, and tweens!

 

After I finished it, my husband suggested that I try one that opens on the long side – seal both edges, open the side. I would have tried that a as a variation – if I would have had more toilet rolls to try it with! But since I didn’t, I’ll leave that to you to try.

To be honest, I like that it opens on the side, because I tend to forget to close my pencil pouch and everything spills out all over – please tell me I’m not the only one who does this?!!

Call it mom brain if you will.

 

 

Make this easy pencil pouch from cardboard tubes - yep, you heard right! I made this adorable pencil case using upcycled toilet paper rolls that were headed for the trash. I use it to stow my adult coloring tools for my current work in progress but it's great for pencils, and a perfect back to school craft for big kids, teens, and tweens!

 

This super easy DIY pencil pouch is perfect for the minimalists among us who don’t carry around an entire stash of stationery. IT can fit at least five pens or pencils comfortably, and at least 12 if you’re stuffing it in.

It’s really easy to use, fun to make, and an open-ended craft that you can decorate as you wish!

 

 

Make this easy pencil pouch from cardboard tubes - yep, you heard right! I made this adorable pencil case using upcycled toilet paper rolls that were headed for the trash. I use it to stow my adult coloring tools for my current work in progress but it's great for pencils, and a perfect back to school craft for big kids, teens, and tweens!

 

 

What you need to make a pencil pouch:

 

 

How to make a toilet paper roll pencil pouch:

 

1. Line up your tubes and flatten them, creasing the sides.

 Make this easy pencil pouch from cardboard tubes - yep, you heard right! I made this adorable pencil case using upcycled toilet paper rolls that were headed for the trash. I use it to stow my adult coloring tools for my current work in progress but it's great for pencils, and a perfect back to school craft for big kids, teens, and tweens!

 

 

2. Remove the backing from your duct tape sheet, place it on a flat surface sticky side up, and lay your tubes down so that they are touching each other AND lined up with the edge.

 

Make this easy pencil pouch from cardboard tubes - yep, you heard right! I made this adorable pencil case using upcycled toilet paper rolls that were headed for the trash. I use it to stow my adult coloring tools for my current work in progress but it's great for pencils, and a perfect back to school craft for big kids, teens, and tweens!

 

 

3. Fold over the edge of your duct tape sheet to hold them in place.

Make this easy pencil pouch from cardboard tubes - yep, you heard right! I made this adorable pencil case using upcycled toilet paper rolls that were headed for the trash. I use it to stow my adult coloring tools for my current work in progress but it's great for pencils, and a perfect back to school craft for big kids, teens, and tweens!

 

 

4. Continue rolling your tubes onto the duct tape sheet, slowly so that you don’t get bubbles or creases.

Make this easy pencil pouch from cardboard tubes - yep, you heard right! I made this adorable pencil case using upcycled toilet paper rolls that were headed for the trash. I use it to stow my adult coloring tools for my current work in progress but it's great for pencils, and a perfect back to school craft for big kids, teens, and tweens!

 

 

5. Trim the sheet on one of the side folds (to make it more seamless – no pun intended.) Use a craft knife for this, and place the leftovers back onto the backing of the duct tape sheet if you want to use it for another project.

Make this easy pencil pouch from cardboard tubes - yep, you heard right! I made this adorable pencil case using upcycled toilet paper rolls that were headed for the trash. I use it to stow my adult coloring tools for my current work in progress but it's great for pencils, and a perfect back to school craft for big kids, teens, and tweens!

 

6. Use scissors to trim the ends of your roll. You can even trim some tube if you want (although since you’re covering your edges, you really don’t need to…)

Make this easy pencil pouch from cardboard tubes - yep, you heard right! I made this adorable pencil case using upcycled toilet paper rolls that were headed for the trash. I use it to stow my adult coloring tools for my current work in progress but it's great for pencils, and a perfect back to school craft for big kids, teens, and tweens!

 

 

7. Seal your end with a strip of coordinating duct tape. Simply place it on one end of the tube, fold it over, and trim the overhang, as pictured in the next three photos.

Make this easy pencil pouch from cardboard tubes - yep, you heard right! I made this adorable pencil case using upcycled toilet paper rolls that were headed for the trash. I use it to stow my adult coloring tools for my current work in progress but it's great for pencils, and a perfect back to school craft for big kids, teens, and tweens!

Make this easy pencil pouch from cardboard tubes - yep, you heard right! I made this adorable pencil case using upcycled toilet paper rolls that were headed for the trash. I use it to stow my adult coloring tools for my current work in progress but it's great for pencils, and a perfect back to school craft for big kids, teens, and tweens!

Make this easy pencil pouch from cardboard tubes - yep, you heard right! I made this adorable pencil case using upcycled toilet paper rolls that were headed for the trash. I use it to stow my adult coloring tools for my current work in progress but it's great for pencils, and a perfect back to school craft for big kids, teens, and tweens!

 

 

8. Trim the zipper end. Yep, I know, I did a messy job at it. I tried doing it all with one piece of tape. I’d highly recommend doing it with two separate pieces of tape – one for each half.

Make this easy pencil pouch from cardboard tubes - yep, you heard right! I made this adorable pencil case using upcycled toilet paper rolls that were headed for the trash. I use it to stow my adult coloring tools for my current work in progress but it's great for pencils, and a perfect back to school craft for big kids, teens, and tweens!

 

 

9. Zip your zipper halfway. Follow my steps for the installation – don’t just glue it – as it needs to be done in this order to really get a good, smooth zip and installation.

Make this easy pencil pouch from cardboard tubes - yep, you heard right! I made this adorable pencil case using upcycled toilet paper rolls that were headed for the trash. I use it to stow my adult coloring tools for my current work in progress but it's great for pencils, and a perfect back to school craft for big kids, teens, and tweens!

 

10.Start with the top end, where the zipper would be when it’s closed. Glue the two sides into one of the corners. Tip: use the back of a paintbrush, a toothpick, or something similar to apply E6000 glue more accurately.

Make this easy pencil pouch from cardboard tubes - yep, you heard right! I made this adorable pencil case using upcycled toilet paper rolls that were headed for the trash. I use it to stow my adult coloring tools for my current work in progress but it's great for pencils, and a perfect back to school craft for big kids, teens, and tweens!

 

 

11. Next, trim the zipper to the size you want it – plus about 1cm to sit inside the tube. Glue the other end of the zipper to the inside of the tube.

Make this easy pencil pouch from cardboard tubes - yep, you heard right! I made this adorable pencil case using upcycled toilet paper rolls that were headed for the trash. I use it to stow my adult coloring tools for my current work in progress but it's great for pencils, and a perfect back to school craft for big kids, teens, and tweens!

 

12.Now, open your zipper completely, and  glue the length of the zipper in place, allowing space for the movement (about halfway into the fabric part of the zipper.) Place your thumb on the inside of the pouch and your index finger on the outside to press it firmly in place.

Make this easy pencil pouch from cardboard tubes - yep, you heard right! I made this adorable pencil case using upcycled toilet paper rolls that were headed for the trash. I use it to stow my adult coloring tools for my current work in progress but it's great for pencils, and a perfect back to school craft for big kids, teens, and tweens!

 

 

Allow your fresh, new pencil pouch to dry completely before using it.

 

Make this easy pencil pouch from cardboard tubes - yep, you heard right! I made this adorable pencil case using upcycled toilet paper rolls that were headed for the trash. I use it to stow my adult coloring tools for my current work in progress but it's great for pencils, and a perfect back to school craft for big kids, teens, and tweens!

Make this easy pencil pouch from cardboard tubes - yep, you heard right! I made this adorable pencil case using upcycled toilet paper rolls that were headed for the trash. I use it to stow my adult coloring tools for my current work in progress but it's great for pencils, and a perfect back to school craft for big kids, teens, and tweens!

 

I hope you loved this DIY pencil pouch tutorial, made from toilet paper rolls! Check out the supplies I used for this below, and comment what you plan to use this for!

 

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5 Comments

  1. Thank you so much for this idea! I plan to have the kids make them with a button and elastic loop closure — so cute!!

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