Travel Jewelry Case Sewing Pattern and Tutorial

With holiday gift-giving time just around the corner, now is the time to craft thoughtful handmade gifts. Travel jewelry cases would make a terrific gift for any of the ladies on your list, and with my complete step-by-step tutorial and free PDF pattern, they can be stitched in no time! These would be a perfect idea for moms and grandmas, but they would be a very nice gift for teachers, friends, neighbors and more.

For this project, you will need…

• Travel Jewelry Case Pattern << Click link at left for free PDF 

• Fabric in 2 coordinating prints (1 print for the outer fabric and 1 for the lining fabric)
• Fusible fleece
• Washable ink marker
• Fiber fill
• Coordinating thread
• Small hole punch
• 2 sets of snaps
• 1 package extra wide bias tape
• 7″ section of 5/8″ Velcro
• Scrap of marine vinyl
• 36″ piece of 1.5″ grosgrain ribbon
• Basic sewing supplies: shears, machine, iron, etc.

Note: All seam allowances are 1/4″ unless otherwise specified.

To begin, print the pattern pieces (linked above), and assemble the main body pattern piece by overlapping the edges of piece A and piece B at the center, as designated on the pieces. Cut out the pieces for your jewelry case according to the quantities/materials specified on the pattern pieces. On the earring holder piece, transfer the circular marks onto the back of the marine vinyl piece, and then punch small holes through each mark. (I used the small hole punch on my Crop-A-Dile for this purpose.) 

Place the two sectioned pocket pieces together, right sides facing, and stitch along each of the long edges. Turn the piece right side out; press. Edgestitch along one of the long edges. (This edge is the top edge of the pocket.)

Using the washable ink marker, divide the piece into 3 sections by drawing 1 line 2.5″ from the left edge of the piece and another line 2.5″ from the right edge, as shown. Align the prepared pocket 1″ from one of the short edges of the main body lining piece; pin into place.

Edgestitch along the bottom (unstitched) edge of the piece to secure it to the lining. Stitch along each of the marked lined to form the compartments for the pocket, as shown.

Place the 2 enclosed pocket pieces together, right sides facing, and stitch along the long straight side (the side without the curved corners). Press seam open. Fold pocket right side out along the seam, making sure all raw edges are precisely aligned. Press. Edgestitch along the seamed edge. Pin the loop side of the 7″ Velcro piece to the center of the top of the pocket piece, just below the stitched edge. Stitch around the perimeter of the Velcro to affix it to the pocket.

Place the main body lining piece face up on a work surface, and position the enclosed pocket piece along the short edge of the piece opposite the divided pocket piece so that the side with the Velcro is facing down. Be sure to precisely align the raw edges and each of the curved corners. Use the washable ink marker to draw a line along the top (straight) edge of the pocket onto the main body lining piece. Position the hook side of the Velcro section so that the top edge of the Velcro is aligned with the line, as shown. Stitch around the perimeter of the Velcro piece to affix it to the main body lining piece, and then secure the enclosed pocket piece to the main body lining piece with the Velcro, making sure all of the raw edges and curves are precisely aligned. Set the main body lining piece aside.

Fold the ring holder piece in half lengthwise, right sides facing, and stitch along the open long edge. Fold the piece so that the seam runs down the center of the piece, as shown; press. Stitch along one of the open short ends of the piece, and turn the piece right side out. Stitch 1/2″ from the enclosed edge of the piece from one long side of the piece to the other. Insert a small amount of fiber fill into the piece so that it is filled to about 1/2″ from the end. Tuck the raw, open edge down inside the piece, as shown. Press the end flat.

Pin the ring holder in the center portion of the main body lining piece 1″ below the divided pocket piece. Stitch a small rectangle with an X through it at the unstitched edge of the piece to affix the ring holder to the main body piece.

Position the vinyl earring holder 1″ above the enclosed pocket section of the main body lining piece. Stitch along one edge to affix the earring holder to the main body lining.

Set a the female portions of the two snap sets through the free ends of the ring and earring holders. Set the male ends of the sets into the main body lining piece itself so that the holders will lie completely flat with the snaps are closed, layering a small piece of fabric between the snap and the main body lining piece for added durability. (For more information on how to set snaps like those used in this project, be sure to check out my complete snap-setting how-to.)

Iron the fusible fleece main body piece to the wrong side of the main body outer piece. Center the ribbon so that it runs lengthwise through the center of the piece, as shown, and pin it into place. Stitch a 4×1.5″ rectangle at the center of the ribbon piece to affix it to the main body outer piece.

Lay the main body outer piece face down on a work surface. Place the completed main body lining piece face down on top of the main body outer piece, aligning all of the raw edges. Pin. Baste 1/8″ from the edges of the aligned pieces to secure them together, making sure not to stitch through the ribbon ties as you go. Remove the pins. Finish the raw edges by encasing with bias tape.

You are finished!

Anyone on your gift list would be thrilled to have such a stylish way to keep jewelry organized as they travel this holiday season!

The sectioned pocket portion of the case is perfect for necklaces and dangle earrings…

…and the ring and earring holders keep those items nice and secure with the snap closure.

 

Other special items can be tucked into the enclosed pocket to ensure they stay nice and safe in transit!

With everything inside, the roll folds into thirds and can be tied with a pretty bow. There really isn’t any need to gift wrap this item; simply add a special gift tag, and you are all set!

 

On the lookout for even more fun handmade gift ideas? Here are some other tutorials from the PS archives.

Scalloped Sunglasses Case

Elegant Wristlet Clutch

Vintage Lace Brooches