Getting organized just got a lot easier -- and cuter! A mix and match pocket organizer made from upcycled jeans is a great showcase for embroidery, and a fun way to hold essentials of all kinds.
Hang the organizer squares on the refrigerator using magnets attached to the back, or use the top loops to hang them on the wall or a door for easy access! Have fun arranging the squares how you like by strapping the top loops around the buttons at the bottom of the squares.
So get out a pair (or two) of old jeans, and get ready to turn them into this handy -- and adorable -- organizer!
Supplies & Materials:
Supplies Needed:
- Old pair of jeans (you can make two total squares from one pair of jeans)
- One 8 1/2" by 8 1/2" piece of fabric (for inner square -- I used cotton fabric)
- One fat quarter of quilter's cotton (for borders)
- Medium weight cutaway stabilizer
- Temporary spray adhesive
- Air erase pen
- Seam ripper
- Two buttons (I used 1" buttons)
- 10" length of 1/8" decorative cord
- Button magnets (optional)
- Hot glue and gun or fabric glue
- Heavy duty thread (for stitching the pocket)
- Needle and thread for some hand sewing
- Scotch tape
Designs Used:
I used designs from the small size of the Sewing Rules Design Pack. Designs from the Crafty Cupcakes Design Pack and Cup o' Crafty Collectibles Design Pack would also be cute on the pocket organizer.
Finished Size:
10 1/2" wide by 10 1/2" high (one square)
Gather Materials:
First, remove the back pocket (or pockets) with a seam ripper. Create a paper template of the design. See these handy instructions about how to create a design template and use it to position the designs.
Cut a piece of medium weight cutaway stabilizer a bit larger than your hoop. Spray the stabilizer with a bit of temporary adhesive and smooth the pocket on top in the center. Draw lines connecting the marks, and extend them out onto the stabilizer to the outer edges.
Start Embroidering:
Hoop the fabric and pocket together by aligning the marks on the hoop with the lines on the fabric. Attach the hoop to the machine and load the design. Move the hoop so that the needle is directly over the center point on the fabric. Embroider the design.
When the design has finished, trim away the stabilizer on the backside of the embroidery.
To prepare the fabric for the center square, cut a piece of fabric (I used cotton fabric) to 8 1/2" by 8 1/2". To prepare the fabric for the side borders, cut two pieces of fabric to 2" wide by 8 1/2" high. Align the side borders on top of the center square fabric, right sides together, with the side border pieces aligned with the side edges of the center square. Pin in place and sew a 1/4" seam along the side edges only. Press the seams with an iron.
Next, to prepare the top and bottom borders, cut two pieces of fabric to 11 1/2" wide by 2" high. Lay the center/side border piece flat with the right side facing up. Align the top and bottom border pieces on top of the fabric, right sides together, with the top and bottom borders aligned with the top and bottom edges of the center/side border piece. Pin in place, sew a 1/4" seam along the top and bottom edges only, and press the seams.
To add the pocket, place it in the center of the square. Center it top to bottom and side to side by measuring equal distances between the outer edges of the pocket and the outer edges of the center square. Pin the pocket in place.
Sew the pocket in place by stitching along the original side and bottom seams using heavy duty thread in the needle.
To prepare the back fabric, first cut off the legs from the jeans. Cut up the inseam on both legs and lay the fabric flat with the right side facing up. Lay the assembled front panel on top, right sides together, with the side seam of the jeans centered vertically within the front panel. Pin in place and cut out the shape.
To add the top loops, cut two pieces of decorative cord (I used 1/8" cord) to 5" long. Form the cord into loops and tape the ends together. Tuck the loops in between the layers at the top of the fabric 2" in from each top corner with the ends of the loops extending out about 1/4" above the top edges of the fabric. Pin in place and sew a 1/4" seam along the outer edges of the fabric leaving a 4" to 5" opening along the bottom edge.
Turn the fabric right side out, press the seams, and turn the fabric of the opening in 1/4" and press. Top stitch a 1/8" seam along the entire outer edge and the entire inner edge of the border.
Next, sew the buttons in place 1 1/2" in from each bottom corner. Center the buttons within the bottom border.
You can also add button magnets to the back of the square. To do this, simply add a couple drops of hot glue or fabric glue to the back of the magnets and press them in place at the back corners of square, and you are done!
Get Inspired:
Create an organizer that looks great and holds everything just where you need it. And put an old pair of jeans to good use, too. So crafty!
