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Writer's pictureKatie Done

Pencil Doorstop Tutorial

Updated: Jun 18, 2023

I was asked if I could make a couple of doorstops for a school that my friend works at. I thought for ages about what I could make and the only school themed things I could think of were apples. It was around the time I knew Stuart Hillards Rainbow Etchings fabrics were due out by The Craft Cotton Company and so I thought up the idea of making a stack of pencils. I am really pleased with how it turned out, perfect for a school, play room or kids bedroom. I have written up a free tutorial on how to make your own.

YOU WILL NEED

  • Rainbow Etchings 16 Fat Quarters

  • Fat quarter cream or calico cotton

  • Fat quarter black cotton

  • Sewing machine

  • Stuffing (I used scraps of clothing)

  • Rotary cutter and mat

  • Quilting ruler

  • Iron and ironing board

  • Ribbon

  • 1 m Heavy Weight interfacing

  • Iron on interlining (optional)

  • Bag of sand or pebbles (optional)



METHOD

1 - Cut fabric - Start by making your top panel, the un-sharpened end of the pencils. The unfinished size of each colour is 2.5". Use a 1/4" seam allowance throughout. Cut the following:

  • 1 1/8" square - 1 in each colour

  • 3/4" x 2 1/2" - 2 in each colour

  • 3/4" x 2 1/8" - 2 in each colour

  • 1 1/8" x 7/8" - 32 cream

  • 7/8" x 2" - 32 cream


Pencil end layout

2 - Sew your pencil patch together - Sew your smaller cream and coloured square together first.

Step 2

Press your seams open. Until very recently I had always used my iron. Its amazing how this simple seam press can make such a difference to your sewing. I no longer have to get up and down to iron in-between each stage. I feel much better about reducing the amount of electricity I am using through ironing everything.

Press seams open

Sew the longer cream pieces to surround your coloured square.

Pencil end add colour sides

In the same way, now add the coordinating coloured edges.


Pencil end, final step

Your square should mow measure 2.5", it may need trimming. Repeat for all 16 colours.

Finished green pencil end

I have pressed all my seams open, here is picture of the back.

Finished pencil end blocks

The order you arrange yours in is up to you. It took me ages to decide on this. If you do a different variation, be sure to adjust the cutting of your fabric when it comes to the pencils in the next step.

Pencil ends in all colours

3 - Sew pencil ends together - When you have decided on the layout, sew your squares together in pairs and then in 4 patch squares.

Sew in sets of four

Then sew those 4 together to create the top of your doorstop. How good does it look?! It should measure 8.5" square.

Finished pencil ends

4 - Now make your pencil sides - cut your fabric as follows:

  • 1 3/4" square - 32 in black

  • 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" - 16 in cream

  • 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" - 2 green, 1 yellow, 1 orange, 2 red, 1 light pink, 1 dark pink, 2 lilac, 1 indigo, 1 purple, 2 light blue, 1 dark blue, 1 lime green

  • 2 1/2" x 10" - 2 green, 1 yellow, 1 orange, 2 red, 1 light pink, 1 dark pink, 2 lilac, 1 indigo, 1 purple, 2 light blue, 1 dark blue, 1 lime green

5 - Join all your smaller coloured and cream fabric on the long edge and press seams open.

Grab these two and repeat with all colours

Sew rectangles together

6 - With right sides together place a small black square on one of the coloured corners and sew from one corner diagonally.

Half square triangle

7 - Trim the excess. Open up and press the seam.

Trim half square triangle

8 - Repeat on the other side.

Sew square diagonally

Trim half square triangle

Finished pencil tip

Back of pencil tip

Now repeat with all your other colours.

8 - Make pencils - Sew the pencil tip to the coordinating long strips. You should have 16.

Finished individual pencils

9 - Sew them in batches of 4 that match the edges of the top panel.

Finished pencil sides

Layout of the placement

9 - Apply interfacing - Cut interfacing the same size as all your panels and apply it to the back of all 5 panels. I have used iron on interlining on the base only (because I only had enough left to do this), it still worked using the regular interfacing but you may get a more sturdy shape with the interlining on all sides.

10 - Start constructing your doorstop - Sew opposite sides first, it doesn't matter which ones. I have used the ribbon the fat quarters came tied in and cut it in half to use as a handle. Back stitch over the ribbon when you sew to ensure it is secure.

Sew opposite sides to the top panel

11 - Create the box shape - now pin the other two sides on. Start from the centre, matching your seams and at the corners turn and go up the long edge.

Pin sides together to create box shape

It should look like this. Now repeat on the other side.

Join sides to the top panel

You may need to snip the corners before you turn it out.

12 -Now for the base - Cut a piece of fabric and interlining 8.5" square. I have used the grey rainbow etchings fabric. Apply the interlining to the wrong side of the fabric.

Pin the base onto the doorstop, matching up the corners. Sew around all edges but leave a gap for stuffing. Trim your corners.

Pin your base to your doorstop

13 - Stuff - I have been collecting my quilt trimmings and other small scraps to fill this. You could buy stuffing but it is quite big when finished so I needed quite a lot. I make keepsake quilts and recycle the left overs which are shredded and used for stuffing. It made sense to use some of these to fill it (as well as a few pairs of socks that had holes in, cleaned of course). The other bonus of using left over clothing rather than stuffing is the weight, its much heavier. The door this was intended for was quite heavy and it wasn't quite heavy enough with just the scraps.

If you need more weight, add a bag of sand or pebbles to the bottom. I reused a bag I received a delivery in and an elastic band left by the postman so secure it.

Stuff door stop with scraps

14 - Finish - Slip stitch the opening to finish.

Ta da! this will brighten up any door way. I would love to hear from you if you give it a go. For more free tutorials, special offers and new fabric arrivals, make sure you sign up to my mailing list.