For my tutorial I like to think of it as a recipe instead of precise instructions. If you make a needle case based on my tute please email me. I’d love to see pictures. Some history of the project can be found at this post.
To make a needle case you’ll need a sheet of plastic canvas and some yarn. At the time I didn’t realize there were different sized plastic canvas. I did use some stash yarn that was thick so the squares would be well filled.
My old paper needle holder served as a guide to cutting out the plastic canvas. I cut two pieces instead of one figuring one larger piece wouldn’t close as easily.
Tieing the yarn on I prepared to weave.
Weaving the ends is pretty simple. The only trick is to make sure you weave in the same direction.
The edge consisted of weaving one square. For the middle rows I weaved into two squares.
The longer the yarn the less knots you’ll have to make. When joining a new piece I made the knot at the side.
The completed pieces. While weaving I noticed one side hid the plastic better. I’m not sure why but I suspect it has something to do with yarn tension.
I trimmed the knot tails and sewed them down with matching thread. I’ve circled those areas with yellow. The blue circle is a spot I had to tack down because the yarn got wonky.
I sewed the two pieces together with matching thread and illustrated that below with blue lines. In hindsight I see that I could have left one long edge bare on each piece and then weaved the two pieces together with yarn. But the thread works just as well.
I cut some fabric a little larger than the combined pieces.
Tucking the edges under as I went I handsewed the fabric down to the outer layer. I also sewed a line down the center where the two pieces meet thinking that would “guide” the case to close.
The ties were just a length of yarn knotted on each side. The tail was sewn under the fabric. I’d suggest putting in the ties before sewing down the fabric.
And voila! A completed needle case.
I love it. I have some plastic canvas laying around and this would be a great use. thanks for the how to
Kate-Thanks! Glad you like it. Let me know if you make a needle case, I’d love to see pics.
I just bought some plastic canvas at the second hand store on Saturday and was trying to think what I could use it for — I definately can use a needle case, so I will be starting on one tonight! Thanks for the idea and tutorial, though I think I would do a couple of things different. I am going to put a narrow “backbone” or spine maybe 2 or 3 rows wide, so that the case looks more like a “book” Oh, also I was thinking that the inside fabric could be felt then the edges don’t need to be turned under…
Susan-Thanks, glad you like the tute. I love the idea of using felt. That’s brilliant! Felt would be more forgiving than normal fabric too for the needle holes.
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Wow! I must find some plastic canvas! I’m forever losing needles…
Kakariki-Thanks, glad you like it. I kept having needles fall out of my old paper case and this new one has solved that problem.
I’ve started making mine but I have a different size canvas, the holes are a lot smaller so doing it slightly differently. Will report when finished!
It’s nice meditation this weaving…
Kakariki-I read on Whip Up that plastic canvas comes in several different sizes where the holes are bigger and smaller. I think it would be neat to experiment with different sizes and different thicknesses of yarn.
Definately let me know when finished. I’d love to see pics.
I too find weaving a form of meditation.
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Finished!
http://bloggreen.wordpress.com/2007/05/08/my-own-needlecase/
Kakariki-Cool! Your needle case turned out great. Glad you liked my tute.
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I just randomly picked this post to say that I really love your blog
Hope you keep on posting great stuff
regards, jenna
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Thanks for the tut! I am making my own version of this, taking into consideration some of the comments made by other users here. (I am making a little spine & also going to use felt on the inside.)
I will show you a picture when I am done!
Thanks again.
Hello there!
First of all, congratulations on your tutorial
I love it 
Today I thought: I’m going to make one just like this and live happily ever after hahaha
Got out and went to buy all the necessary things.
Unfortunately, I havent found the sheet of plastic canvas…
I went to several stores and different places and they dont sell it around here (I live in Lisbon, Portugal).
Do you know if there is a place where I can buy it on line?
Many thanks!!!
Lara
Jenna Doll-Somehow I missed your comment before. Glad you like my blog!
Amanda-That’s great to hear. I’d love to see a finished pic.
Lara-Glad you like the tutorial. I searched on Ebay http://www.ebay.com for “plastic canvas” and found some for sell. If you go that route make sure the seller ships internationally.
Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post… nice! I love your blog.
Cheers! Sandra. R.
Sandra-Thank you! Glad to hear you like my blog.