Every organized sewer needs an organizer. Sort out all that sewing equipment, organize it and save time for more sewing projects!
This is a demonstration project that uses a number of different techniques to organize sewing equipment and supplies. It demonstrates several different ways of making pockets and hanging slots. A clip-on pincushion and needle-case are also included.
Rather than give exact dimensions for every pocket and piece of elastic, tape or ribbon used this instructable shows you how to design the elements of the organizer to suit your sewing equipment.
As far as possible use is made of materials to hand including pattern paper from a sewing magazine, plastic bags and clips and webbing from an old rucksack.
The one shown in this project was designed around a piece of furniture from IKEA that already had 2 hooks suitable for an organizer.
This is a demonstration project that uses a number of different techniques to organize sewing equipment and supplies. It demonstrates several different ways of making pockets and hanging slots. A clip-on pincushion and needle-case are also included.
Rather than give exact dimensions for every pocket and piece of elastic, tape or ribbon used this instructable shows you how to design the elements of the organizer to suit your sewing equipment.
As far as possible use is made of materials to hand including pattern paper from a sewing magazine, plastic bags and clips and webbing from an old rucksack.
The one shown in this project was designed around a piece of furniture from IKEA that already had 2 hooks suitable for an organizer.
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Signing UpStep 1: Collect your materials.
For this project you will need;-
Material to make the backing. The quantity depends on the chosen size of your organizer.
The organizer made in this project is 37 cm wide x 56 cm high (inches). Decide the size of your organizer and then add 5 cm (2 inches) to both the height and width. This extra amount is for the edges that will be turned to the back.
Firm iron-on interfacing. The organizer has to support heavy tools such as scissors so we stiffen it with the interfacing. The quantity needed is the exact size of the chosen size of your organizer.
Iron-on hem tape. This is double-sided interfacing that normally comes in a 2cm (3/4 inch) width on a roll. It is used to finish edges and hems neatly without having to sew.
Double-sided iron-on interfacing. This is similar to the iron-on hem tape but comes in a sheet and usually has a protective paper on one side so that the interfacing is fixed on one side first, then the other. This is great for sticking 2 fabrics or a fabric and a paper together.
Clear plastic bags, preferably ones that would have been thrown away, not new ones. These are used to make the plastic pockets. I wanted pockets that were see-through so that you can
see the contents. However my local fabric store did not sell clear vinyl. Hence I have recycled plastic bags and fused them to make a plastic that is transparent enough for our purposes.
Elastic. Use various widths, colors and lengths to suit the thread and tools that you need to organize.
Eyelets. I used two for hanging my organizer as I already had a piece of furniture that had 2 hooks suitable for an organizer. If you don't want to use eyelets to hang yours you could add a series of loops across the top through which you could thread a piece of doweling or a clothes hanger.
Paper and stick-back plastic. For this organizer I used an old paper pattern to make pockets and for the cover of the needle-case. The paper pattern fits very well with the theme and, when coated both sides with the plastic, makes a sturdy 'fabric' that can be sewn and doesn't tear or fray.
Hook and look fastening tape. I used the stick-on type to create a pocket fastening.
Ribbon. Various colors, widths and lengths were used for hanging items and for edging pockets.
Felt. Small pieces were used for making the pincushion and needle-case. All were oddments from other projects and created by fulling wool sweaters.
Two snap carabiner hooks. These were a luxury treat and were the only items bought specifically for this project. They are used for the pincushion and needle-case.
Webbing and 2 plastic D-loops. These were 'rescued' from an old rucksack that had passed away. They provide great anchors for the 2 clip-on items.
Cuttings from sewing/knitting magazines. I used these for both decoration and as reminders of useful information. The organizer in this project includes information about laundry symbols. Yours could include a crochet needle conversion chart or information about clothing sizes.
Material to make the backing. The quantity depends on the chosen size of your organizer.
The organizer made in this project is 37 cm wide x 56 cm high (inches). Decide the size of your organizer and then add 5 cm (2 inches) to both the height and width. This extra amount is for the edges that will be turned to the back.
Firm iron-on interfacing. The organizer has to support heavy tools such as scissors so we stiffen it with the interfacing. The quantity needed is the exact size of the chosen size of your organizer.
Iron-on hem tape. This is double-sided interfacing that normally comes in a 2cm (3/4 inch) width on a roll. It is used to finish edges and hems neatly without having to sew.
Double-sided iron-on interfacing. This is similar to the iron-on hem tape but comes in a sheet and usually has a protective paper on one side so that the interfacing is fixed on one side first, then the other. This is great for sticking 2 fabrics or a fabric and a paper together.
Clear plastic bags, preferably ones that would have been thrown away, not new ones. These are used to make the plastic pockets. I wanted pockets that were see-through so that you can
see the contents. However my local fabric store did not sell clear vinyl. Hence I have recycled plastic bags and fused them to make a plastic that is transparent enough for our purposes.
Elastic. Use various widths, colors and lengths to suit the thread and tools that you need to organize.
Eyelets. I used two for hanging my organizer as I already had a piece of furniture that had 2 hooks suitable for an organizer. If you don't want to use eyelets to hang yours you could add a series of loops across the top through which you could thread a piece of doweling or a clothes hanger.
Paper and stick-back plastic. For this organizer I used an old paper pattern to make pockets and for the cover of the needle-case. The paper pattern fits very well with the theme and, when coated both sides with the plastic, makes a sturdy 'fabric' that can be sewn and doesn't tear or fray.
Hook and look fastening tape. I used the stick-on type to create a pocket fastening.
Ribbon. Various colors, widths and lengths were used for hanging items and for edging pockets.
Felt. Small pieces were used for making the pincushion and needle-case. All were oddments from other projects and created by fulling wool sweaters.
Two snap carabiner hooks. These were a luxury treat and were the only items bought specifically for this project. They are used for the pincushion and needle-case.
Webbing and 2 plastic D-loops. These were 'rescued' from an old rucksack that had passed away. They provide great anchors for the 2 clip-on items.
Cuttings from sewing/knitting magazines. I used these for both decoration and as reminders of useful information. The organizer in this project includes information about laundry symbols. Yours could include a crochet needle conversion chart or information about clothing sizes.
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magda
says:
Sep 6, 2007. 7:38 PMReply
I like how this uses some of those extra sewing materials like the elastic to construct the organizer. I have two very old plastic sewing baskets, which areh't made any more, to hold my supplies, but they get all messed up during a project as I dig around. This is an easy way for me to have everything for a project in place, and not rolling onto the floor, pins piercing my bare feet, scissors hiding under fabric, etc. I will slip in the necessary threads, buttons, etc. at the start. This will relieve a lot of frustration!
1
Myself
says:
Jul 19, 2007. 12:22 PMReply
Every sewer needs one... :p
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