How to Make a Roll-Up Tool Organizer, Complete with Embroidered Size Labels

Jennifer Stern, contributor

33 users recommend

Here's the luxe leather version...it's actually super quick to make because you don't have to worry about the edges.

Jen Stern

The denim one is great, too!

Jen Stern

Here's a close-up of the size labels I embroidered on the pockets.

Jen Stern

Here's the luxe leather version...it's actually super quick to make because you don't have to worry about the edges.

Photo: Jen Stern

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Here's the perfect accessory to make if you have small hand tools without a home. Tired of looking for your 3/8-inch wrench? Or maybe you're tired of looking for someone else's? This tool roll is so quick and easy to make, you can whip up one for yourself and one for all your crafting friends in time to stick them under the tree. Don't be put off by the machine-embroidered size labels if you don't have an embroidery machine; you can label the pockets by writing the sizes using a Sharpie marker!

If you do have an embroidery machine, use the built-in numbers to stitch them out. My good friends Sue and Dan suggested this project to me when I was trying to come up with the perfect guy craft last week. I had already started the cozy baseball cap headband, but I loved this idea, too. I got on the phone with my dad to see if he needed one of these to organize his wrenches and he spent the next half an hour explaining the differences between his two sets—one being metric and the other in inches. Somewhere in the conversation I interjected, "Yes, Dad, I know. There's 25 mm to an inch" (I think he was impressed!). Anyway, I told him I was making a leather tool roll, and I would embroider the sizes on the pockets so he could organize one of his sets of wrenches. I wrote down the details and got off the phone. Not two minutes later, he called me back to say that he thought I should make one out of canvas or denim to make the project more user friendly. I thought this was a great idea...so I made two, one leather and the other denim. There are slight differences in the steps because you don't have to finish the edges of the leather. No matter which one you choose to make, your tools will be very happy!

You can customize the size of this project to fit your set of tools. You will need the length and width measurements of the smallest and the biggest ones. You will also need to know how many tools there are in the set. I am making a tool roll for a set of wrenches with the smallest wrench being 5 inches long and 1 inch wide. The largest is 9 inches long and 1-1/2 inches wide.

Here's what you'll need:

• One 14-inch x 18-inch piece of leather (if you are making yours out of denim, you need a 28-inch x 18-inch piece)
• One piece of leather (or denim) that is 18 inches wide and 2 inches shorter than the longest tool in the set
• Two 14-inch pieces of leather, twill tape, or grosgrain ribbon for the ties (I used 1/2-inch-wide strips of leather for both)
• Leather or metallica needle, size 14 or 16
• All-purpose polyester thread
• Heavy topstitching thread
• Embroidery machine with built-in numbers, tear-away stabilizer, 505 Temporary Adhesive Spray, embroidery thread

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Comments (7)

kclabaugh writes: Where did you find the leather to use? I haven't been able to find any at the fabric stores in my area and I'd love to make this for my husband. Thank you!
Posted: 5:55 pm on April 18th

justpaintit writes: Hi,
Will you please email me the templates for this item at justpaintit@cox.net
Thank you
Just Paint It
Posted: 3:53 pm on January 4th

JenniferStern writes: There were templates mentioned in one of the captions. That was actually text from a previous post that I forgot to delete. I apologize for the confusion.

Posted: 4:50 pm on January 3rd

JenniferStern writes: Hi Everyone...There are no templates to download for this project. When I first read your comments, I couldn't remember if there were any or not...I did this project the week before I moved into my new house. (It's been a little crazy--between loosing my e-mail address in the transfer--to having no heat because the boiler blew.) Happily, the cable company found my e-mail address, and the heat is on! Please let me know if you need more help.

Posted: 4:41 pm on January 3rd

bigkitty writes: Nope, no templates. I think, though, it would be easy to adapt to individual needs. Looking forward to making one for my husband's set of chisels. Thanks
Posted: 12:58 pm on January 2nd

noranora writes: I couldn't find the templates either, colleen 7.


BUT, I'm really excited about this because a friend wanted me to make a knife roll to store her pro. knives in and I had no idea how to make one. But, I think I can adapt this project.

THANKS for posting this!!

Nora
Posted: 4:17 pm on December 31st

colleen_7 writes: It says to download and print the templates select 5 cards. I can't seem to find them. Maybe having a seniors moment. Could you tell me where to find them. Thanks

Posted: 8:10 am on December 31st

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