Get ready for the first bell to ring with this clever Classroom Organizer!
Once you have stocked-up on mountains of school supplies, keep them all organized with this wall hanging featuring plenty of pockets.
Surprise youngsters by spelling out their names and an organizer for their rooms for small toy storage.
And, with a different alphabet and fabric combination, match your sewing room and keep all your projects organized!
Supplies & Materials:
- 1 yard (total) lightweight canvas -- each front panel is 10 x 12 inches
- 1 1/2 yards lightweight canvas (for back)
- 1 1/2 yards print lightweight canvas (for pockets)
- 1 inch plastic craft rings
- Medium weight, cut-away stabilizer
- Air-erase pen
- Temporary spray adhesive
The finished size:
46 x 11 inches.
The designs used in this tutorial include:
Front Panels
Cut a 10 x 12 inch piece of the lightweight canvas for each section. Our example has five sections made with four different colors of canvas.
Using embroidery software, create a paper template of the first design by printing it at full size. Cut around the template to make it a manageable size.
Measure and mark the top center of the fabric by measuring the width and dividing by two. Position the center of the templates 3 1/2 inches from the top center of the fabric. Also, mark the horizontal and vertical axis points on the fabric.
Remove the template and draw lines connecting the axis points. These lines will be used for hooping.
Spray the stabilizer with temporary adhesive and smooth the fabric over the stabilizer.
Hoop the fabric and stabilizer together by aligning the marks on the hoop with the lines on the fabric.
Attach the hoop to the machine, load the design, align the needle directly over the center point on the fabric, and embroider the design.
Repeat the template positioning, hooping, and embroidering for each of the front panels.
Once the designs have been embroidered, carefully trim away the excess stabilizer.
Lay the two assembled panels right side up and add the third panel on top of the second panel with the right sides together. Pin along the right side of the panels. Sew a 1/2 inch seam along the pinned side.
Continue until all panels are sewn together.
Lay the two assembled panels right side up and add the third panel on top of the second panel with the right sides together. Pin along the right side of the panels. Sew a 1/2 inch seam along the pinned side.
Continue until all panels are sewn together.
After embroidering, trim the excess cutaway stabilizer away from the back. Leave about 1/2" around the design.
Turn the panels wrong side up and press the seams open.
Align the pocket fabric along the bottom edge of the front panels with the seamed edge on top. Pin in place.
Loops
Determine the number of loops needed to hang the organizer on the wall. Our project used six loops (one for each corner and one for each of the seams connecting the front panels.)
Cut six 2 1/2 x 5 inch pieces of the solid canvas. Fold the fabric lengthwise, bringing the sides into the center and then fold lengthwise once again. Sew a seam along each edge of the loop.
Add a plastic ring to each loop and pin in place.
Sew the loop in place by sewing a seam as close to the ring as possible.
Pin the loops to the top edge of the front panels with the unfinished ends of the loop facing out. Allow about 1/4 inch of the end of the loop to extend past the edge of the fabric. Add one loop to each corner, angling the loop so that the ring is not touching the edge of the fabric. Add a loop at each seam along the top.
Backside Fabric
Measure the front panel and cut a piece of the fabric using those dimensions.
Lay the front panels right side up and align the back fabric on top. Pin in place and sew a 1/2 inch seam along the outer edges, leaving one end open for turning.
Turn the organizer right side out, and press the seams. Also, fold the open edges in 1/2 inch and press in place.
Top stitch a 1/8 inch seam along the entire outer edge.
Pocket Sections
Sew seams from the bottom edge of the pocket panel up to the top of the organizer for each pocket section.
Note: To make small pockets for pens and pencils, sew another seam about 3/4 inch wide next to the pocket seam, stopping at the top of the pocket fabric.
Hang on the wall and add supplies to the the pockets, placing paints, pens, and pencils in the letter "P" pocket, crayons in the letter "C" pockets, etc., or whatever form of organization suits your purpose.
Move to the head of the class. You have passed 'Classroom Organization 101' with flying colors!
