Keeping track of pencils, pens, and paperclips is difficult if they’re jostling around in your backpack or purse. If you don’t think behind your ear is the best place to store a pencil, here is a fun DIY for a cute magnetic pencil case.

Supplies:

Directions:

  1. First, cut one piece of felt into a rectangle. You want it to be long enough to fit a pencil and wide enough to fit several pencils so 6 - 8 inches tall by 2 ½ to 3 ½ inches wide.
  2. Now, take the second piece of felt and cut it to the same width as the first piece. But don’t cut it to the same length. Instead, make it about 3 inches longer.
  3. Place the two pieces of felt on top of another. Make sure the pieces line up along one of the narrow ends and both long sides. You should have that extra 3 inches from the second piece of felt in Step 2 available for a flap.
  4. Carefully, take your needle and thread and sew along the three sides that match up. When you’re done you should have a rectangular pouch with a flap that folds over to cover the opening.
  5. Now, you can paint your magnets if you want to make them more colorful. When you’re done painting, wait for the paint to dry.
  6. Next, take the fabric glue and glue one of the magnets to the pouch. Position this magnet on the part of the pouch where the flap folds over. Glue the second magnet onto the underside of the flap so it lines up with the first magnet.
Finally, you have an adorable and functional pencil case! The magnetic flap will make sure your pencils and pens are safe from falling out. And depending on what kind of materials you have available to you, you can substitute felt with something else. Any kind of sturdy fabric that’s easy to cut will be sufficient. For example, you can use leather, denim, or canvas fabric. Another practical aspect of this pencil case is that you will never lose paperclips again!