wall pocket organizer {a tutorial}

You guys, I'm super excited to show you my newest project ... 

...  a wall pocket organizer.

I've been in an organizing mood for quite some time now and one thing I really wanted to get was a simple wall pocket organizer to help me keep all the many piles of mail and bills from constantly spreading around my studio. 

I looked and looked, online as well as in stores, but I could not find exactly what I was looking for as I didn't want anything too bulky or made of plastic. In the end I decided to try and make one myself and I'm happy to say it turned out just the way I imagined.

And, I wrote up a tutorial for you in case you'd like to make an organizer of your own.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Finished Size: 13" wide x 24" tall

Notes:
- use 1/4" seam allowance unless otherwise noted
- use non - directional print for main and lining fabric, if you use a directional one you will need double the amount stated in materials needed   
 - make sure your printer is set to “actual size” when printing your template (page scaling is set to “none”). Do not select “shrink to fit” as that would result in your template being printed incorrectly.


Materials Needed:
1/2 yard main fabric
1 FQ pocket fabric
1/2 yard lining fabric
1 1/4 yard Pellon Flex-Foam or Soft and Stable by Annie
1 package - 1/2" wide double fold bias binding
2 extra large eyelets

pattern template (click here)

eyelet setting tool
505 basting spray
walking foot for your sewing machine (optional, but highly recommended)

Cutting: 
1. from main fabric cut: one 13" wide x 24" tall rectangle
                                       two 2 3/4" x WOF strips for binding
from pocket fabric cut: two 13" wide x 9" tall rectangles
from lining fabric cut: one 13" wide x 24" tall rectangle
                                     two 13" wide x 9" tall rectangle
from Flex Foam cut:  one 13" wide x 24" tall rectangle
                                   two 13" wide x 9" tall rectangle

Pockets: 
2. Place one 13" wide x 9" tall lining rectangle right side down on a flat surface. Lay the same sized Flex Foam rectangle on top, place one pocket fabric rectangle right side up on top.Use 505 spray to baste all three layers together. (you can quilt your pocket at this point if you like)

3. Lay provided pocket template on top of basted pocket rectangle, align side and bottom edges. Trace around the top rounded edge.

4. Use 1/8" seam allowance and stitch slightly inside the drawn line along the top of the pocket. Cut along the line.

5. Unfold your bias binding, place your pocket lining side up and align binding's raw edge with pocket's top raw edge, pin. Stitch along the first fold line (picture below).

6. Remove the pins, flip the binding towards right side of the pocket. Use Wonder Clips or pin to hold binding in place. Stitch using 1/8" seam allowance.

 

7. Make second pocket following the same directions, only this time bind the pocket's bottom edge as well (please note, one pocket will have the bottom edge bound using bias tape, the other pocket will not). Set the pockets aside for now.

Main Panel:

8. Baste using 505 spray the three remaining 13" wide x 24" tall rectangles together (lining fabric rectangle is right side down, flex foam on top, main fabric rectangle is right side up on the very top). We'll refer to this basted rectangle as main panel. (you can quilt your main panel at this point, if preferred)

9. Place main panel right side up on a flat surface. Align one pocket along its bottom edge, clip to hold both panels in place (make sure you use the pocket without bottom binding). Use 1/8" seam allowance to baste pocket to main panel.

10. Align second pocket (the one with bottom edge bound) 2" up from the first pocket. Attach pocket to main panel by stitching along the sides and the bottom edge using 1/8" seam allowance.

Binding

11. Stitch the two binding strips together to form one continuous strip. Fold the strip half lengthwise (wrong sides together), press.

12. Attach binding to your wall pocket organizer the same way you would to a quilt (attach to the back first, flip and attach to the front).

Eyelets

13. Mark two points 1 1/2" away from top and side edge for eyelets placement. Use small sharp scissors to cut a hole through all three layers of main panel. Follow directions on your eyelets packaging to attach them to your organizer.

14. Give your wall pocket organizer a good press if needed, remove any stray threads and you're all finished. Congratulations!

Hope you give this project a try and enjoy making and using it.

And, as always, if you make a project using any of my tutorials please add it to my Flickr group or use #sotakhandmade if posting on Instagram. I love seeing all your amazing creations.

Wishing you all an amazing day. Svetlana