Rotary Cutting Mat & Ruler Bag

Designed by Jen Buettner©


Cutting List:

2 - Cover Pieces 14” x 20”

2 – Linings 14” x 20” (sug. Muslin)

2 – Fusible Peltex pieces 14” x 20”

2 – Pockets 26” x 20” (sug. Muslin)

2 – Fusible interfacing pieces 13” x 20”

2 – 2-1/2” strips for Binding

3 Yards 1” wide webbing cut into 2; 40” pieces.




Directions

  1. Iron onto each piece of Peltex, 1 cover and 1 lining. Line all three layers up and steam it together all at once. When one side is secure, steam from reverse side. Trim edges if needed. Allow to cool. Sew a line of overcast stitching across what you intend to be the top half of each cover. (20” across)

  2. Iron Pocket Pieces wrong sides together so that they become 13” x 20”. Insert fusible interfacing and press again. Topstitch fold to keep lining secure and to give a nice appearance.

  3. Using Marking tool of your choice place the fold towards the top and make a line 5-1/2” in from each of the two sides on each pocket. Line the pocket pieces up to the Cover on the Lining side. Pin if desired, sew through pockets and cover on each of the drawn lines. Extend your stitching to about ½ inch above the pocket for security.

  1. Overcast stitch around the remaining three edges on both covers.

  2. The sewn lines now become your lines to line your webbing up to from the cover side. The webbing will be placed on the INSIDE of these lines. Stitch the webbing place leaving it free to about 2 inches to the top of the cover. Secure your handles.

  3. Take a look at the rulers you wish to carry. I have a 6-1/2 inch square ruler. I made the center pocket 7” deep by drawing a line and sewing across that pocket so the ruler wouldn’t fall all the way to the bottom of the pocket. I did the same for my 3-1/2” square ruler and my 2-1/2” square ruler. On the other cover I made an additional 7” deep pocket and left the 2 side pockets open for longer rulers. Sew your pockets as desired through all layers.

At this point you can decide if you’re going to add a zipper or a flap. I added a zipper using a technique that I learned from the Lazy Girl Designs patterns. I used a 22” Zipper. You can see a video of how the zipper is installed by clicking this LINK for the video provided by Kaye Wood. I then attached the zipper to my cover by topstitching it in place.


For a flap closure I would also use a Lazy Girl Designs technique. You can see how a flap is attached by clicking this LINK for the video provided by Kaye Wood. The pockets are actually tight enough that a flap would work well without the rulers constantly falling out if it tips over. If I were to make the bag a second time; I would go with a flap for ease of construction. Another option would be to add individual little flaps at the top of each ruler pocket if desired. Or, make your pockets a little deeper and add Velcro directly to the pockets. (Just realize for this type of closure that you need to sew your Velcro and tab closure on before you add your pockets.)


  1. Sew the bottom and two sides together so that you don’t have to worry about them shifting as you attach your binding. Attach your binding as you normally would a quilt. If you you’re able to, sew your binding on by machine. My tote was too thick to do the final step of the binding by machine so I hand sewed mine.


Once completed I noticed how firm my bag is. It will hold my rotary mat flat without any problems!!