Create Your Own Journal Pen Holder

If you’re a journal enthusiast, a pen holder can help you carry some of your favorite pens and markers. I wanted one for my journal to include some stationery and water brushes for drawing while traveling. Read on to learn how to easily make your own pen holder without spending much.

What You’ll Need:
1. A thick/wide waistband elastic
2. Velcro
3. Needle and thread
4. Fabric paint (optional)

You don’t actually need a tape measure for this project. To determine the length you need, wrap the elastic around your journal, mark it with a pen, and cut it to the desired length. Remember, the elastic will stretch, so don’t stretch it while measuring around your journal.

I used a double-loop elastic for this project. Measure the width for each pen slot using your pens and brushes, then sew the slots using needle and thread. If threading the needle through the thick elastic is challenging, try using a thicker needle to make it easier.

Once you’re done, add the Velcro. The length of the Velcro depends on your preference. In this case, I made it slightly longer like a rectangle, so there’s more coverage when I stretch it around the journal to secure it.

The most useful aspect of this pen holder is that it allows me to keep my “carry-on” pens and stationery separate from my travel journal kit. This is especially handy if you’re the type of journal artist who carries a travel watercolor kit and wants to bring extra brushes and ink pens. You can customize the pen holder as you like.

To personalize your pen holder, you can paint it with any fabric paint or dye it with fabric dye.

And that’s it—a pen holder completed in a day!