At the last meeting of Designing Divas, Jami Roux demonstrated how to make an organizer for sewing supplies. Here’s a look at her method and pictures for your next inspiration project!
Decide what tools you want to store or organize. Will you use the organizer to take to classes or will it be used only to store your supplies? Think about whether you want handles to carry or hang your tools or would a rolled (not a bag with wheels) organizer better suit your needs.
Layout the items you want to organize; are there many small flat items or larger irregular shaped items? This information will help determine what type of pockets you will make!
A useful planning tool is paper. Lay your items on paper and draw around them to get an idea of how everything might be organized and what size the finished product will be. At this time you need to think about how will the organizer open, and what direction the pockets will open?
Write yourself notes and mark arrows to direct your design. When you are satisfied with your layout you will have a paper pattern to use for estimating fabric requirements.
The fun part of planning an organizer is selecting fabrics. There are many conversation prints available that might reflect the content of the organizer. Fabric choices can include quilter’s cottons, pre quilted fabric, your own patchwork or decorator fabrics. Always shop your stash first, you will be surprised at all the things that would make a wonderful organizer. One thing to remember when choosing fabric is weight, you will be sewing through several layers of fabric and the accumulated thickness might become an issue.
