Field Notes & Pen Case

This is a bi-fold case that holds three Field Notes notebooks and three pens.

All seam allowances are ¹⁄₂", unless otherwise indicated.

Directions are oriented relative to a front view of the open case, with the pen pocket on the left and the notebook pocket on the right.

Figure 1. An open case

Terms

Pen Pocket: The pocket on the left side of the case. The top edge is open, the right edge is sewn to the lining panel, and the left and bottom edges are sewn into the outer seam.
Notebook Pocket: The pocket on the right side of the case. The left edge is open, and the other three edges are sewn into the outer seam.
Closure Flap: The panel at the top left of the case that secures the pen pocket when the case is closed. The bottom edge is sewn into the outer seam of the case.
Closure Strap: The length of elastic or nylon webbing on the bottom of the case. For buckle closures, both ends of webbing are sewn into the seam in a fixed loop; for magnetic snap closures, one end is sewn into the case’s outer seam and the other end is sewn to a small panel that the snap is attached to.

Fabric Pieces

Outer Fabric

Case Outer: 9" x 7"

For directional fabrics like X-Pac, the short edge should be parallel to the fabric’s selvage.
Notebook Pocket Outer: 4" x 7"

For directional fabrics like X-Pac, the short edge should be parallel to the fabric’s selvage.

For 3-layer laminate fabrics like X-Pac, add ¹⁄₄" to the short edge for a rolled hem.
Pen Pocket Outer: 4 ¹⁄₂" x 5 ¹⁄₂"

For directional fabrics like X-Pac, the long edge should be parallel to the fabric’s selvage.

For 3-layer laminate fabrics like X-Pac, add ¹⁄₄" to the long edge for a rolled hem.
Closure Flap Outer: 4 ¹⁄₂" x 4"

For directional fabrics like X-Pac, the short edge should be parallel to the fabric’s selvage.
Closure Tab: 7" x 2 ³⁄₄"

For directional fabrics like X-Pac, the long edge should be parallel to the fabric’s selvage.

This piece is only required for snap closures.

Lining Fabric

Case Lining: 9" x 7"
Notebook Pocket Lining: 4" x 7"

Omit this piece when using a 3-layer laminate fabric for the notebook pocket outer.
Pen Pocket Lining: 4 ¹⁄₂" x 5 ¹⁄₂"

Omit this piece when using a 3-layer laminate fabric for the notebook pocket outer.
Closure Flap Lining: 4 ¹⁄₂" x 4"

Sewing Instructions

Main Body

Prepare the pen pocket:
- For 3-layer laminate fabrics:
  1. Fold and press one of the short edges of the pen pocket outer so that the long edges measure 5".
  2. Fold and press the same edge to form a rolled hem, and stitch at ~¹⁄₄".
- For other fabrics:
  1. Sew the pen pocket lining to the pen pocket outer along a short edge, right sides together. Reverse the seam and press, then topstitch along the same edge at ¹⁄₄".
With the case lining and the pen pocket right sides up, align the pen pocket with the lower left corner of the case lining panel, and mark ¹⁄₄" to the left of the pocket’s right edge.
Place the pen pocket and case lining panel right sides together, with the pocket flipped horizontally. Align the bottom edge of the pocket with the bottom of the lining panel, and align the mark made in the previous step with the ¹⁄₄" hemline of the pocket’s left edge. Sew along the ¹⁄₄" hemline of the pocket’s left edge.
Trim the seam allowance to ¹⁄₈", then flip the pen pocket along the seam and press.
Sew along the pen pocket’s right edge, ¹⁄₄" from the seam.
Sew the pen pocket to the case lining panel to make dividers for the pen pockets.
Follow the appropriate flap instructions depending on the closure type.
Prepare the notebook pocket:
- For 3-layer laminate fabrics:
  1. Fold and press one of the long edges of the notebook pocket outer so that the short edges measure 3 ¹⁄₂".
  2. Fold and press the same edge to form a rolled hem, and topstitch at ~¹⁄₄".
- For other fabrics:
  1. Sew the notebook pocket outer to the notebook pocket lining along a long edge, right sides together. Reverse the seam and press, then topstitch along the same edge at ¹⁄₄".
Place the case lining panel right side up, and place the notebook pocket right side up on top of the lining panel. Pin in place with the heads extending outward from the edge of the lining panel.
Place the closure strap on the pen pocket so that the magnetic snap is aligned with its mate on the closure flap. The bottom of the closure snap or buckle should be facing down, toward the pen pocket. Pin in place with the heads extending outward from the edge of the lining panel.
Place the flap right side up on the top edge of the lining panel. Align the right edge of the flap with the right edge of the pen pocket. Pin in place with the heads extending outward from the edge of the lining panel.
Place the case outer on the lining, wrong side up. Pin in place, and mark the boundaries of the turning gap along the left edge.
Sew around all four edges. Backstitch at the turning gap boundaries, and adjust the stitch length and tension inside the gap.
Press back the seam on the left edge, and rip the basting stitches inside the turning gap.
Trim the seam allowances on three sides to ¹⁄₄". Don’t trim the edge with the turning gap.
Clip all four corners.
Turn the piece right side out through the turning gap.
Sew the turning gap closed using a straight box stitch with a zig-zag stitch inside the box.

Closure Flap

Strap and Buckle Closure

Place the flap outer and flap lining right sides together. Mark the stitching lines for the wedge shape. Start sewing along the stitching lines, stopping to insert a webbing strip into the top seam.

Magnetic Snap Closure

Attach the female end of the snap to the outer flap, using a small scrap of outer fabric as reinforcement.
Sew a small scrap of lining fabric over the back of the snap on the wrong side of the fabric.
Place the flap outer and flap lining right sides together. Mark the stitching lines for the wedge shape and sew them together along three edges, leaving the bottom edge unfinished.
Trim seam allowances to ¹⁄₄", and clip the corners.
Fold the closure strap panel in half crosswise, and press. Fold the narrow edges toward the midline and press again.
Place the male end of the snap and cut slits for the prongs through two layers of fabric.

Do not install the snap yet.
Sew the side seams of the closure strap panel.
Install the snap in the closure strap panel.
Clip the corners, and turn the panel right side out.
Insert the elastic webbing into the open seam and sew it shut. Sew a bartack over the stitching to secure the elastic.