Make a pencil case

1. Use a Sizzix Big Shot machine to cut two picket fence pieces from white felt and the components of the raccoon from green, purple, black and white felt. Cut a 42cm x 27cm piece of spotted material in half, giving two 21cm x 27cm pieces. Press one piece and lay flat. Arrange the felt die cut shapes across the fabric as shown, leaving 4cm clear along the top edge.

2. Pin the felt pieces into place then stitch around the edges with two strands of embroidery thread, using a small running stitch. Next, fold under by 1cm at the top edge of the appliquéd panel and pin to one side of a zip, leaving an equal amount of fabric at each end. Sew into place with small running or machine stitches.

3. Take the other half of the spotted cotton and fold under by 1cm on the long edge, pin to the other side of the zip and stitch as before. Oversew the seam at either end of the zip. Open the zip by 4cm and turn the fabric so the right sides are together. Pin and stitch around the remaining three edges. Make a gusset by pushing the side seams flat against the bottom seam and stitch across both corners, 3cm from the point. Cut off the point.

4. Take gingham fabric and stitch into a bag lining in the same way. Turn the bag right sides out through the zip and place the lining inside, pushing the fabric right into the corners. Pin the lining in place before turning over the top raw edge and pinning to the inside of the zip. Oversew the lining to the zip with tiny stitches.