Categories: Utility, Bags and Totes, Oly*Fun, Back to School

Make a OlyFun Paint Brush Roll with Secret Pocket and go back to school in style. I’m not just talking about students, us art teachers need cool things too. This project is great for storing your paintbrushes while on the go. There’s a secret pocket in the paintbrush image to hold small things like IDs, money, erasers, and jewelry. I spaced my sections to be 1″ each, but you could make them wider or thinner. You could also make a variation of this project for crochet hooks and knitting needles, making the secret pocket rectangle for stitch markers and scissors. I painted the Jet Black OlyFun with fabric paints to keep with the painting theme, but you could leave it plain or do a different design. You could even put “Property of (name)”. For cosmetic brushes, check out my Makeup Brush Roll with Shield and Smooth Interlinings.

What you need to make this project

Materials: OlyFun in Jet Black; OlyFun in Sea Green; OlyFun in Sky Blue; OlyFun in Bubblegum; OlyFun in Metallic Silver; Black thread; Black 1" Velcro; Fabric paint in pink; Fabric paint in turquoise; Fabric paint in pale green/mint; Fabric paint in white; Fabric paint in silver; Fabric paint in gold

Supplies: White chalk; Pencil; Clear quilting ruler; Scissors; Paintbrushes; Paper plate; Cup of water; Paper towel; Straight pins; Sewing machine

Instructions

Step One

From OlyFun, using a ruler, pencil or chalk, and scissors, draft and cut the following pieces.

Jet Black

1- 20″ wide by 19″ tall rectangle, for backing
2 – 4″ wide by 12″ tall rectangles, for secret pocket lining

Bubblegum

1- 20″ wide by 6″ tall rectangle, for brush pocket
2 – 4″ wide by 4″ squares, for brush bristles

Sky Blue

2 – 7″ wide by 4″ tall rectangle, for brush handle

Sea Green

1 – 20″ wide by 19″ tall rectangle, for brush pocket backing
2 – 1″ wide by 24″ long rectangles, for ties

Silver

2 – 2″ wide by 1″ high rectangles, for ferrule

OlyFun Paint Brush Roll With Secret Pocket 5

Step Two

Squeeze some fabric paint onto the paper plate. On the black backing rectangle, paint a design using the fabric paint and paint brushes. Rinse the paint brushes in the cup of water and dry them with paper towels, in between colors. Let the backing dry completely before moving on. While that’s drying, let’s make the secret pocket.

OlyFun Paint Brush Roll With Secret Pocket 2

Step Three

Using a ruler and pencil, mark the center of one pink bristle squares at the top and bottom. Layer the two squares and fold in half along those marks. Lightly draw a curved bristle shape, with the bottom being slightly under 2″ wide. Using scissors, cut through the layers along those lines. Repeat this technique with the two brush handle rectangles, drawing a curved handle shape where the top is slightly under 2″ wide. Cut out the pieces. Arrange them on the two secret pocket lining pieces, with the silver rectangles between the bristles and handle. Pin in place and cut around the line up. Place that piece over the other secret pocket piece, to make sure it’s even. Cut the other lining to match. Remove the brush pieces and set them aside.

OlyFun Paint Brush Roll With Secret Pocket 3

Step Four

Lay the Velcro along the upper handle part, where the curve is the largest. Cut the Velcro into three pieces to fit the curve. Separate the Velcro pieces. Pin all the hook pieces on one lining piece and all the loop pieces on the other lining piece. The short edges should overlap. Load the sewing machine with black thread. Sew along the Velcro edges, making sure to sew the overlapping short ends too.

OlyFun Paint Brush Roll With Secret Pocket 4

Step Five

Lay the decorative brush pieces back onto the lining pieces, making sure the Velcro is on the backside. Pin the pieces in place. Stitch around the pieces to secure them together. I did decorative stitching to give the handles, ferrule, and bristles more detail. This is optional and can be simplified if desired.

OLYFUN PAINT BRUSH ROLL WITH SECRET POCKET 6

Step Six

Fold the long Sea Green tie pieces in half lengthwise. Stitch across one short end, down the long side, and across the other short end. Repeat with the other tie.

OLYFUN PAINT BRUSH ROLL WITH SECRET POCKET 7

Step Seven

The Velcro sides will point outwards, so they can easily open. Match up the brush pocket pieces and pin the sides. Pin the secret pocket back piece centered along the left side of the brush pocket. Stitch around the sides, catching the secret pocket as you sew down the left side.

OLYFUN PAINT BRUSH ROLL WITH SECRET POCKET 8

Step Eight

Match up the 2nd secret pocket piece to the attached piece. Insert the ties under the top of the brush handle section and pin in place. Stitch around the secret pocket, leaving the Velcro section open. Remove all pins as you sew.

OLYFUN PAINT BRUSH ROLL WITH SECRET POCKET 9

Step Nine

Using the ruler and pencil, draw lines 1″-2″ apart down the brush pocket section. I made all of mine 1″ apart, but if you use wider brushes, make wider pockets. At the sewing machine, stitch down each pocket line. Trim all excess threads.

OLYFUN PAINT BRUSH ROLL WITH SECRET POCKET 10

Step Ten

Fold the brush pocket flap to be even with the secret pocket brush top. Straight stitch across that fold 1/4″ from the folded edge. This will keep the flap down. It won’t warp it to the side as much when rolling.