Choosing variegated thread:

We found that working with variegate thread opens up many exciting possibilities. Color, texture, and movement can be greatly enhanced using this interesting medium.
 
We found that if the thread looks striped on the spool, it will sew out striped in the design.   Also, if the thread looks flecked on the spool, it will look flecked in the design.

Take a look below at a couple of examples of variegated thread and how they stitched out.

First, we will prepare the fabric for the outer shell of the roll-up.  Mark a 25 inch wide by 12 inch high rectangle on the canvas.  Cut around the shape leaving a couple of inches of excess.

Create paper templates of the designs by printing them at full size using embroidery software.

We are embroidering the lizard design twice on the outer shell fabric. 

Place the templates on the right end of the rectangle with the edges of the designs about 2 1/4 inches from the right edge of the shape and 1 1/4 inches from the top and bottom edges. 
Poke a hole in the center of the template, and using an air-erase pen, mark the fabric on the design's center point.  Also, mark the horizontal and vertical axis points.

Next, remove the templates and draw lines connecting the axis lines - these lines will be used for hooping. 

Spray a piece of cutaway stabilizer with temporary adhesive, and smooth the fabric on the stabilizer. 

Hoop the fabric and stabilizer together by aligning the marks on the hoop with the lines on the fabric.

Attach the hoop and load the embroidery design to the machine. Move the hoop so that the needle is directly over the center point on the fabric.  Embroider the design.

When the design has finished, carefully trim away the excess stabilizer on the back of the embroidery.  Leave about 1/4 inch of excess around the design. 

Then, re-hoop the fabric and stitch the second design.

Now we will prepare the fabric for the inner pocket.  Mark a 25 inch by 5 inch rectangle on the canvas, leaving a couple of inches of excess around the shape. 

Mark the center of the shape by measuring the width and dividing by two. Then, measure and mark the exact center by measuring the height and dividing by two.

Print a template of the design. Poke a hole in the center and align it with the center mark on the fabric.  Make sure the design fits well within the shape. 

There should be at least one inch of space from the edges of the design and the top and bottom edges of the shape.

Hoop the fabric with cutaway stabilizer as you did earlier.  Attach the hoop, align the needle over the center point and embroider the design. 

When the design has finished trim away the excess stabilizer.

Now it's time to assemble the roll-up!  Cut out the shapes from the embroidered outer shell and pocket fabric.

Now we will prepare the back side of the outer shell. 

Lay the outer shell fabric on top of the canvas, pin in place, and cut out the shape.  Unpin the fabric and set the back piece aside.

To prepare the fabric for the backside of the inner pocket, lay the embroidered pocket fabric on top of the canvas, pin in place, and cut out the shape.  Then, sew a 1/4" seam around the entire outer edge.

Cut a piece of the bias tape to the width of the pocket fabric and wrap the tape around the top edge.  Pin in place.

Sew a seam along the inner edge of the tape.

Now we will add the pocket to the backside fabric of the outer shell.  Lay the back fabric for the outer shell with the right side up and align the pocket along the bottom edge.  Pin in place and sew a 1/4 inch seam around the sides and bottom edge of the pocket - to not sew the top edge.

To create separate compartments in the pocket, decide how large you would like the compartments to be.  We are including several compartments for pencils, pens, and markers. 

To do this, make marks about every 1 1/4 inch along the bottom of the pocket.  Also, mark spaces for larger items like crayons and watercolors (about 4 1/4 inch for a small box of crayons and 3 1/4 inch for watercolors). 

Then, sew seams starting at each mark at the bottom of the pocket stopping just before the bias tape.

Now we will combine the outer shell with the assembled back and pocket.  Lay the embroidered outer shell fabric with the right side down and the embroidery on the left.  Align the backside and pocket on top with the right side up.  Sew a 1/4 inch seam around the entire outer edge.

Now we will prepare the loop.  Cut a piece of the canvas to 7 inches wide by 4 inches high.  Fold the long edges together so that they meet in the center - finger press in place.

Then, bring the long folded edges together and finger press in place.  Sew a 1/8 inch seam along both long sides.

Now we will add the bias tape around the outer edges of the roll-up. 

Lay the roll-up with the outer shell facing up.  Wrap the bias tape around the outer edge starting at the upper left corner.  Add the loop by bringing the ends of the loop together and twisting the ends slightly to open the loop.  Pin the loop together and trim the end to make a flat edge.  Tuck the end of the loop under the bias tape about 7 inches from the upper right corner of the roll-up.  Pin in place.

Sew a seam along the inner edge of the tape.  Add tape all around the outer edge of the roll-up.

Now we will prepare the ties.  Cut a piece of the canvas to 36 inches by 2 1/2 inches. 

Fold the short ends over 1/4 inch and press in place.  Then, fold the long edges in to meet in the center just like you did for the loop.  Use an iron to press in place. 

Then, align the long folded edges together and press in place.  Sew a 1/8 inch seam around the entire tie - along the long sides and around the short ends.

Measure and mark the center of the tie by measuring and dividing by two.  Pin the center of the tie to the outer shell about 6 inches from the right edge and centered between the top and bottom edges.  Pin in place and sew a one inch "x" on the tie to secure it in place.

Add the art supplies and tools inside the pockets.

Roll it up starting at the right side and rolling it towards the left side.  Wrap the ties around and tie them in place.