How to sew a needle case

How to sew a needle case

- Categories : Sewing

Sew a needlebook with oilcloth

The needlebook for storing needles and pins is an essential item for embroiderers and stitchers.
Be inspired by our many coated cotton patterns, which you can pair with a coordinating cotton fabric.
Practical and easy to make by following the step-by-step guide in our video.

What you will need

This needlebook consists of:

  • a coated cotton exterior
  • a cotton fabric interior, which includes two small storage pockets on one side
  • inside, a double layer of boiled wool or felt for securing pins and needles

Sajou needlebook to sew shown in different positions

We strongly recommend watching our video, which will help you understand the folding steps
for making the small pockets and provide helpful tips on the best techniques.

Cutting the fabrics

Cut the different elements as follows:

  • coated cotton for the exterior: 20cm high by 16cm wide
  • cotton fabric for the interior: 30cm high by 16cm wide
  • boiled wool: 15 x 12cm
    Make sure to respect the height and width if your fabric has a directional pattern, as is the case with the model in our video using our Coquecigrues motif.

Creating the interior

  • Fold the cotton fabric in half lengthwise and press.
  • Now take the measurements to create the two small side pockets:
    • mark a small line on the central fold, another 5cm to the right, and another 5cm to the left
    • fold the right mark onto the left mark, as shown in the video.
  • Press and pin.
  • On the right side, mark a point 6cm from one edge and another point 6cm up from the bottom fold of the pockets.
  • Draw a vertical line between these two points.
  • Stitch along this vertical line. This stitch will form the separation between the two pockets. Press.
  • Baste together the layers making up the pockets on each side and remove the pins.

Assembling the boiled wool

  • Centre the boiled wool on the right side of the interior fabric and pin.
  • Then stitch from the wrong side, using the fold to guide the exact centre. Stitch 2mm from the edge of the fold.
  • Make sure to use thread matching the boiled wool in the bobbin of your sewing machine.
  • Remove the pins.

Assembling the interior with the exterior

  • Place the interior and the coated cotton exterior right sides together.
  • Pin close to the edges to avoid making holes that would later be visible in the coated cotton.
  • On one of the longer sides, mark points 6cm apart to indicate the opening you will need to leave to turn the project right side out.
  • On the cotton fabric side, stitch all around 1cm from the edges, leaving the opening unstitched.
  • Remove the pins and any tacking stitches.
  • Clip the corners and press the seams open with your fingers. Crease the folds with your fingernail. Do not iron the coated cotton!
  • Turn the project right side out.
  • Position the seams with your fingers and push out the corners with a pencil or rounded scissors tip, as shown in the video.
  • Finally, on the coated cotton side, stitch all around 5mm from the edges.

Our coated cotton, which is very matte and supple, generally sews easily on a machine. If you encounter difficulties, here is a tip: stick a piece of adhesive tape under your machine’s presser foot.

It's done!

Check out our article on making a pumpkin-shaped pin cushion, which you can match with this needlebook.

We also offer ready-made needlebooks: see Sajou needlebooks for needles and pins.

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