PATSY Pen Holder – Beginner Sewing Pattern

Never hunt for a pen mid-journal again. The PATSY Pen Holder slips over the cover of your notebook, diary or planner on a band of flat elastic, keeping your pen right where you need it — attached to the book itself rather than lost at the bottom of your bag.

It's a genuinely quick make from two fat quarters and a length of elastic, and it's the kind of small, thoughtful handmade gift that gets used every single day.

Quick Facts (At a Glance)

  • Finished Size: Approximately 5.5cm wide x 18cm high
  • Attaches to: Notebooks, journals, diaries and planners, via a flat elastic band
  • Skill Level: Perfect for Beginners
  • Format: Digital PDF Download
  • Seam Allowance: ¼"

Materials Required

  • Outer & Lining Fabric: One fat quarter of cotton
  • Pocket Fabric: One fat quarter of cotton
  • Elastic: 25cm of 25mm (1") wide flat elastic
  • Essential Tools: Sewing machine, iron for pressing, clips or pins, and coordinating thread

What You Will Learn / Techniques

  • Making the Pocket: Fold the pocket fabric widthways wrong sides together, press, and top-stitch along the folded edge for a neat finish.
  • Attaching the Pocket: Line the pocket up with the raw edges of the outer and tack it in place so nothing shifts while you sew.
  • Positioning the Elastic: Find the centre line of the back panel by folding and creasing, then centre and tack the flat elastic across it.
  • Adding the Lining: Join lining to outer along the top edges with a ¼" seam and press the seams open.
  • Assembly and Finishing: Join the two sections right sides together with the pocket and elastic facing each other, leaving a 10cm gap in the lining. Turn through, close the gap, push the lining inside and press.

Why You'll Love This Pattern

  • Beginner-friendly — no tricky steps, just confidence-building sewing
  • A quick project you can finish in an afternoon
  • Keeps your pen attached to your notebook, ready whenever you are
  • A thoughtful handmade gift for journallers, students, teachers or colleagues
  • Uses very little fabric — a great way to use up scraps and fat quarters

Full-colour step-by-step photographs, our trademark 'Easy to Follow Instructions' and full-size reusable templates are included, plus a free video tutorial on our YouTube channel to follow along with.

Start stitching today and keep your pen and your notebook together for good.

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