Make a Waxed Canvas Tool Roll (With Pattern)

Free pattern/full tutorial: beckystern.com/2022/04/03/wax...
Sponsored by Digi-Key: www.digikey.com/en/maker/proj...
Becky Stern is a maker living in NYC, publishing DIY projects about technology, and crafts from her Brooklyn studio.
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previous video: • Raspberry Pi Magic Mirror
this time last year: • DIY Yagi Antenna from ...
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#sewing #tools #DigiKey

[@benstern997]

Thanks to my brilliant and creative sister, I now have an idea for a place to stash my motorcycle gloves and other odds and ends behind my windscreen.

[@JulianChinaski]

You are great Becky, thanks

[@tracischwyzer4775]

Super cool ! Stay safe my fellow rider/maker!!

[@daleerickson554]

Came here from "This Old Tony". I had a wheelo as a kid so loved that project. I, however, have made a number of tool rolls and as such was interested in your process (I also repair/rescue old sewing machines). I love your take on the tool roll and, will be trying it myself in the near future. I have never waxed any of my projects but am not sure why. I knew of waxed canvas but didn't put it together that I could do it too. Well, thanks to you, that changes today! I look forward to binging a lot of your channel.

[@spagamoto]

Been eying waxed canvas as an alternative to leather. The two materials seem very similar and only get better with age. Count me inspired. Aside: Well done on the sponsorship. Provides relevant info, straight to the point, is respectful.

[@AmRadPodcast]

Very cool. I'm going to try this. Thanks for sharing!

[@madmachanicest9955]

Waxing can't dislike this is an old boy scout trick as well as old camping bags and tents are made of canvas.

[@samuelmellars7855]

For those wondering about the wax on the zip, it's fine! Too much wax may gum it up a bit, but you can use wax to lubricate sticky zips. Crayons work well apparently, because of the pointy tips. I've only used "proper" fabric wax, so I can't say one way or the other

[@aaronvining2336]

Even though the red wax was unintentional, I really like the idea of using an adjacent color to dye the wax and deepen the color or brighten it up or give it a off-color sheen.

[@Nono-hk3is]

This has been on my todo list for a while

[@theelectricwalrus]

Great project! It's nice to see a sewing project. I also love the filming setup, overhead table camera+lighting

[@Harko-]

Thank you Becky 🙏

[@tattoosfromgrease]

Thanks for sharing! Got the idea from my Make magazine! Gonna try and make a few..

[@mrvector257]

Went digging after watching the TOT xmas gift video and wanted to know how you made the tool roll. Such a cool idea and hopefully easy enough I can make my own. Dropped a sub! Keep up the great work.

[@samuelmellars7855]

Hahaha! That's how I ended up here too!

[@anandarochisha]

New subscriber..i got old tools..cuz i am old..this looks like fun..

[@TechnoChic]

Such a great idea. Customizing your organization is the perfect maker skill! The pink and black version that flashed @ 8:30 is my fav. It’s like a punk rock tool roll. ❤️

[@BeckyStern]

Thanks Natasha! 💖

[@doug1219]

super awesome, thank you!

[@getherdoneproduction2377]

This is really great

[@Jawst]

This is brilliant!!! 😁 Thankyou for your time and effort put into your video!

[@scotthennelly6946]

Hey Becky, just wanted to say you're doing awesome with your channel! I think the first video I watched of yours was about 4-years ago... happy to see you're still creating cool stuff.

[@BeckyStern]

Thank you so much!!

[@garagemonkeysan]

Great video. Tool rolls are so satifying to make. Waxing gives it that extra cool factor. Mahalo for sharing! : )

[@Pwaak]

You have amazing talent! Accidental Sparkle addition made that piece extra special!

[@teresaellis7062]

Yay! My son has wanted a tool roll for the longest time. I sort of had an idea of how to make one, but this is so much better than what I thought up. I am still a novice at sewing and so having a project to follow is very helpful. And for a bonus I now know what waterproofing wax is made of! I bought some to waterproof my son's coat and backpack, but am going through it faster than I would like, so it is nice to know I can mix up my own.

[@Beadathome]

Very cool! Never thought of waxing fabric. Guess I'll be adding that to my to do list. Cheers!

[@knoptop]

Cool project! I never realized that it actually wax thats used!

[@sypernova6969]

Hey. Brilliant idea. Very simple and well executed. Just made one for a xmas gift, after deing this. Thanks!!

[@nick4855]

What a great pattern. I’m a big filson fan. Love the waxed canvas Also really like yours work table. Looks like perfect size

[@AlbertStraub]

Saw your article in Make magazine and was ecstatic! What a fantastic way to store my open-end wrenches. Glad to bump into this video because I wanted to see what sewing machine you used. The small black Singer I inherited from my mother doesn't seem to like canvas. Amazing article and vid! Thanks Becky!

[@bob-ny6kn]

I made one from canvas long ago. Never thought of waxing. Nice work. That box of wax put up one heluva fight.

[@EdwardIglesias]

Awesome! I had no idea that waxing was so easy. Sewing is beyond me however.

[@BeckyStern]

Aww, anybody can sew! I find it so relaxing. But then again I've been sewing since I was a little kid.

[@thomashverring9484]

This is super cool! Thank you :^)

[@BlueyMcPhluey]

cool, I've never seen canvas waxed like this, it looks so easy

[@BeckyStern]

It is! and fun!

[@sw33n3yto00]

Would love to see a video of the bag in the van.

[@BeckyStern]

Eventually I'll do a video about the mods I made to the van, and can cover it then. What questions do you have about it?

[@bigoldgrizzly]

I live in wax jackets, jerkins and coats through the wetter colder months and have been waxing and re-waxing them for years. Paraffin (candle) Wax, dries to a very tough hard finish but if you want a more flexible,but still very hardy finished product try 40% candle wax, 40% Beeswax and 20% Clear Mineral Oil [Ordinary pure Baby Oil]. The secret to getting a quick even finish is heat. Preheat the leather or canvas using a hairdryer on hot setting, Keep the heat on, while applying the wax directly from the hot pot and spread it as even as you can. Still working under the hairdryer, switch to a 6 or 8 inch decorators/paperhangers bristle brush brushing energetically in all directions. This really evens out the finish. On a lower heat setting, use a wad of leather of canvas to burnish it in well - hope this helps someone out ;

[@Rouverius]

Very cool. Yay, I could use something like that. I might take it on. Thanks

[@BeckyStern]

Go for it! You'll be glad you did!

[@Dilshad-gu7je]

I really like this project! Now I am off to learn how to use a sewing machine! Really love acquiring new skills!

[@BeckyStern]

Have fun!

[@nomon7646]

This is brilliant! Why did I only discover this through secret santa? Talking to you, KZbin algorithm!

[@Torsan1977]

A great project. I think I will make a roll like this for my bike tools. I will also experiment with sail cloth and wax to see if that works as well. Thanks Becky!

[@BeckyStern]

LMK how the pattern turns out on A4 paper, I tried to keep the registration marks within bounds for both US letter and A4 but since I don't have any to test, you'll have to be the guinea pig.

[@Torsan1977]

@@BeckySternWill do!

[@Torsan1977]

@@BeckyStern The pattern printed w/o any issues on A4. 👍

[@stevensexton5801]

ToT sent me.

[@pen25]

how did you read my mind and know I was just searching for instructions last week on doing this

[@BeckyStern]

It would validate me so much if you print and use my pattern! 😁

[@H3110NU]

I’ve been meaning to make a knife roll like this out of leather for a buddy of mine. Now I’m thinking I might make a hybrid approach with canvas and leather.

[@BeckyStern]

I'd love to see it!

[@JubeiKibagamiFez]

I love this. I wonder if this would hold up as a knife case. My carry case now is a stiff case, but I've always wanted a roll up case. I always had a fear I would sew my finger or thumb using a sewing machine. It's irrational.

[@BeckyStern]

This would absolutely hold up as a knife case. You might need to make it a bit taller to accomodate. You're right that your fear of sewing your finger is irrational. The machine is designed to make it hard to hurt yourself. I've been sewing for several decades and it hasn't happened to me once. The pins, however, will stab you repeatedly. At least they aren't motorized. 😆

[@JubeiKibagamiFez]

@@BeckyStern I haven't touched a sewing machine since the early nineties... And that was a machine from the early eighties, so either they've always been safe or they got safer.

[@Nono-hk3is]

Hmm I think I just figured out what to do with the ripped out denim jeans I've been hoarding. Probably not as tough as canvas but should still be fit for purpose, especially for not-so-heavy duty tools.

[@BeckyStern]

Yes, absolutely! The first prototype I made for this tool roll was made from an old pair of jeans. Perfect reuse!

[@nefariousyawn]

This is great, and looks like a good opportunity to practice sewing. Is there a particular fabric specification that you choose besides color? I'm worried about getting something that is too weak or thin for this kind of use.

[@BeckyStern]

100% cotton canvas, it'll be called "10oz" or "15oz" etc to designate the heaviness. Link to the fabric I used is in the tutorial, link in the description

[@nefariousyawn]

@@BeckyStern thanks!

[@ericbarnawell8481]

Oooh what about a video on the cargo van wall mount stuff holder?

[@BeckyStern]

Eventually I'll do a video about my van and all the mods I made to it, so I can cover the bag in more detail then. What questions do you have about it?

[@ericbarnawell8481]

@@BeckyStern I have a transit connect and always interested in storage, tie downs and temp passenger seating. Love to see what u have done

[@DesertMoonBathNBody]

I made this and it turned out perfect and to boot I am a beginner sewer, I just kept rewinding lol. Did you use a zipper stop on the end was hard to tell. I just used stitches for the stop; just curious. Thank you.a

[@BeckyStern]

Glad to hear it!! I did not use a zipper stop, just used the seam to encapsulate both ends of the zip

[@DesertMoonBathNBody]

Thanks for the reply. Not many you tube channels reply 👍🏼

[@MyChicalatina]

Amazing video! Question, how does this wax canvas behave during hot seasons and days? 👀 Is the wax going to be in my hands and all over the place? 😂

[@BeckyStern]

Paraffin melts between 120 and 150F, beeswax more like 140. I haven't had an issue leaving it in my car all summer, but I don't live in the southwest (anymore)

[@eddesimone535]

Great video! Wish you went a bit slower for us newbies. I downloaded the pattern and in the process of gathering the materials. THANKS!!

[@J.E.Rikard]

Thanks for the awesome video. I’ve always been afraid of sewing projects although I do woodwork and fine restoration of instruments. Sewing using a machine seems to implore a shroud of mystery, as well as fear of making a mistake. I think the somewhat 2 dimensional nature throws my brain for a loop! Do you leave extra fabric between the pocket seams to allow for the thickness of the tool? For example, if the item going in the pocket is 1” wide, and 1/2” thick, would you sew the pocket to be 1” wide or wider to accommodate the thickness? Would you keep the pocket width at 1” and add a pleat to allow the tool to slide in easily while still being secure? Feel free to let me know if I am over thinking! 😉

[@BeckyStern]

While you can certainly make a pleated version if you want to make things more complicated, you are overthinking a bit-- the fabric of both the body and the pocket bends and moves to accomodate the thickness of the tools. When it's rolled up it looks lumpy. To make sure your pockets fit your tools, lay them out and mark up the pocket stitches with the tools on the project.

[@J.E.Rikard]

@@BeckyStern Exactly what I needed to hear, thank you Becky!

[@edenisok894]

Hey I’m just wondering would it be possible to do with already waxed canvas? I’m making my own pencil case because I think a customized one would be better. I don’t have a sewing machine so I’m had stitching

[@BeckyStern]

Yes, but I think sewing with already waxed canvas is much more difficult than sewing it pre-wax. Unless your expertise comes from leatherworking, in which case you can treat it like leather and also stitch with already-waxed thread. Here's a video where I made something with that method: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnfbaYGIqbCbjpo

[@STOLrover]

I like the distinguished gentleman patch. You ride a triumph?

[@BeckyStern]

nah, in the DGR i've ridden my vespa and my vintage honda

[@STOLrover]

@@BeckyStern very cool

[@EmilysHandle]

What's the seam allowance on this? Assuming double fold is 1/4" and single fold is 1/2"? And it looks like the rest is 1/2" around? And the zipper is 8 or 10" long?

[@BeckyStern]

Yep that'll work, it's pretty forgiving. I used about a 5/8" allowance all over. Zipper's about 11" long.

[@elmo1999elmo]

Would waterproof canvas do the same thing…..I can get waterproof canvas from my craft supplier….😊

[@BeckyStern]

yes, it's just not going to be as easy to sew as regular canvas. I like waxing the project after its sewn so i get the end effect without the hassle of sewing heavy duty fabric.