Customized Tool Pouch

This is an idea for a customizable tool pouch that is belted around the waist.  I made it so that I would have a convenient place for my gardening tools while I'm outside working on my yard.  It has a velcro pocket on the top, two places for pens or skinnier tools and a larger pocket for a notebook or iPod.  The band on the front gives me a place to hang my scissors, and my gloves when I'm not using them.  The strap is adjustable, and the pouch is not sewn to the belt so that it can move around.

The materials used were:

1 yard heavy canvas fabric

1 1/2 yards heavy 1in belt material

1 pkg extra wide double folded bias tape

1 spool heavy duty jeans thread

1 parachute buckle

8 in heat fusible velcro

Jeans needle

I made the pattern up as I went, but the basic idea was to figure out how big I wanted it to be, what I could fit in that space, and then cut out the pieces 1 in larger to account for seams.  When using heavy duty thread on such thick fabric, be sure and increase the thread tension on your machine.  There are lots of patterns for cute bags out there, and you can always tweak them and make them perfect for you.

Composition Notebook Cover

This is a cover for a composition notebook.  It can be as personal or ordinary as you like.  You can use scraps of all shapes and sizes, but the finished piece, (before sewing the fold over which will secure the notebook inside, but after hemming), should be 24" x 12".  I used some scraps of black, purple, and red fabric and then added some buttons, some fringe trim and a wooden letter I painted.  Use your imagination!  It's perfect for a birthday gift for a college or high school student.