Jeans Pen Holder - a sewing project for children

Are you looking for a simple upcycling project for kids?

This pen holder is quick and easy to sew. Children can sew their first seams and try out various functions on the sewing machine. In the process, they also get to make a practical everyday object and learn that you don't have to throw away worn-out clothes, but can turn them into great things.

Cutting

• The pattern includes a 1 cm seam allowance.
• Cut out the basic shape from a pant leg as shown.
• Also cut off 1 belt loop, a hem from one of the legs and the small pocket (watch pocket) from the jeans.

Preparation

• Iron the Vilene onto the back of the basic shape.

Decorative stitch

• Draw a diagonal line on one of the outer squares.
• Insert the Jeans needle and thread the multicolored thread as the upper thread. Insert the black bobbin. Attach Embroidery foot 20 (otherwise use Universal foot 1).

• Select stitch 705 and press the down needle position.
• Place the left edge of the presser foot on the marking, sew the decorative stitch to the bottom corner and secure the end of the seam.

• Press the "i-Dialog" icon on the screen and flip the decorative stitch to the left. Place the presser foot with the right edge on the line and sew a second row of the decorative stitch. 
• Secure the end of the seam.
• Thread in green embroidery thread.
• Select stitch 711. Sew a line of the stitch in between the two other rows of stitching and secure the end of the seam.

Lettering

• Select the combination mode on the screen (+ icon on the screen).
• Select alphabets and press "Block alphabet" (first alphabet).
• Use the small arrow to enlarge the input field.
• Type in "BERNINA" and select the small arrow again to return to the main screen.
• Press "i-Dialog" and "Edit whole combination" and press "Pattern repetition" once.

• With the cursor arrow, scroll to the end of the combination.
• Select "Edit combination at cursor position" in the "i-Dialog".
• Activate "Secure stitch pattern" so that the combination is secured at the end.
• Use the cursor arrow to scroll to the beginning of the pattern (the up arrow key must be dark gray) and activate "Secure stitch pattern" so that the combination is secured at the beginning.
• Thread the red thread as the upper thread.
• Place the letter combination in the middle of one of the outer squares.

Small Pocket

• Deactivate the combination mode.
• Activate stitch 19 and insert Overlock foot 2.
• Reduce the presser foot pressure (from 12 to 10) to prevent the seam from being flattened.
• Thread the orange thread as the upper thread.
• Neaten the top open edge of the small pocket. Guide the edge of the fabric in line with the presser foot shank. Secure the beginning and end of the seam.

• Set the presser foot pressure back to the default setting. Attach Reverse pattern foot 1.
• Pin the pocket onto one of the free outer squares and sew it one presser-foot width from the edge on three sides using a straight stitch (over the existing stitching). Do not sew up the top opening. Secure the beginning and end of the seam.

Belt Loop

• Pin the cross-piece in the last free section and select stitch 25 (bartack program).
• Place the height compensation tool under the back of the foot so that the foot lies evenly and you can sew nice stitches.
• Sew the bartack at the front and back.

Sewing it together

• Pin the four edges of the denim cube with the right sides together and sew together using a straight stitch, leaving a seam allowance of 1 cm. Secure the beginning and end.

Top edge

• Trim the top open edge of the cube neatly.
• Cut off the jeans hem to about 3-4 mm to the right of the seam.

• Select zigzag stitch, set the stitch width to 5.5 and the stitch length to 1.

• Place the open edge of the jeans hem around the open edge of the denim cube (edge to edge) and sew them together.
• Approx. 5 cm before the start of the seam, trim off the excess length of the jeans hem and finish sewing on the jeans hem.

Finishing up

• Raise the presser foot, turn the work and sew the two open edges together, then secure the end of the seam.
• ​Turn the box the right way out.

And you're done!