Making a Storage Roll

Video HERE

Most crafters have a selection of tools that they use most often, sometimes in drawers, on hooks or scattered around their workspace. This kind of storage roll is ideal for carrying your most used tools in a single package.

This technique can be adapted for almost any set of tools, although the heavier ones would appreciate a leather roll rather than fabric. The sizes required depend on your tools, obviously, so this is a general tutorial more about the technique than actual pattern instructions.

1. Fabric
This depends on your tools, heavy or sharp bladed tools will require a more heavy duty leather, whereas pencils or paintbrushes can be rolled in plain fabrics, although a foam lining comes in handy to protect the bristles of brushes and create the initial shape. Choose a lining and outer layer to suit your needs and taste.

2. Size
Unless your tools are all of the same height (in which case, add 3-4cm (1-1/2")) line them up along the bottom edge of a table with the tallest at either end - this will provide general structural support. Try and keep everything vertical, but you may find that some things fit together better on a slight angle. This way you can also find the length you need as well as the height. Add 3-4cm to the height and 4-5 to the length for the general size.

Once you have the general size you need to add enough for the bottom and top flaps as well as the end section. On average I usually add a bottom flap of 1/3 and a top covering flap of 1/2 to stop things slipping out if the roll is turned upside down (or 2/3 if I'm doubling-up for pockets) and then add 8-10cm (3-4") to the end. This end section acts as a flexible flap which helps to close the roll over bulky tools, and also an extra space for other items that may pop up.

3. Sewing
If you're not adding pockets you need only sew around three sides, leaving one end to turn through, then tuck up your bottom flap, add a strip of elastic in the middle and sew the end closed. If you want pockets, sew on a zip, then sew the bottom and side, before folding out right sides and sewing down the other side of the zip. (You will need to separate this long pocket into 5-7cm sections so that the contents don't clump on one end and stop it rolling.)

The bottom flap creates a secure base for each tool, then lay the elastic over, pinning each section as you go. Ideally, you should leave the tools in place as you fill the roll so that everything fits in neatly. You can machine sew the loops if you like, but I prefer to do them by hand because I can keep the stitches on the inner lining for a better finish.

I use elastic for the strapping and closure because of its flexibility. Don't stretch it over the tools, instead lay it across firmly, quite tight, so that the elastic will stretch for inserting/removing the tools, but will hold when flat and stretch when rolled. You can use ribbon or webbing, but you need to take into account how much room the tool needs.

4. Closure
Not knowing how much my friend would be putting in her roll I left a lot of elastic at the end of the roll, and only fixed the button with a safety pin. Obviously, you can work yours to fit tightly with a button, pres stud or whatever closure you like.

This kind of roll is all right angles and straight lines, so it is easy to sew with a machine or by hand. You can choose the level of difficulty by adding pockets and layers as you like... Next time you're travelling somewhere and you need to carry half your workshop consider putting together a storage roll...