Sewing Organiser Pattern Requirements: 1m Outer Fabric 1m Lining Fabric 1m Cobweb fusible web (or similar) 1m Bag Batting 1m Parlon 4 x 30cm Open ended Zip Optional extras Fat Quarter of Clear Vinyl for detachable pocket 5 metal zip for detachable pocket 5 hook & loop (Velcro) for detachable pocket 1m 6mm wide elastic for gadget holders 1 x magnetic snap for detachable pincushion small quantity of fibre fill for detachable pincushion 3 square of felt for needle keep Instructions Begin by reading through these instructions. All seams are 5/8 unless otherwise stated.
Print and assemble two copies of the Pattern Piece. Cut one Pattern piece to the outer line - this will be used for cutting the outer and lining fabrics, and the cobweb fusible web. Cut one Pattern piece to the inside (stitching line) this will be used for cutting the bag batting and Parlon. Cut Outer Fabric: Cut four pattern pieces. Cut 1 x 20 square for the gusset Cut 1 x 6 circle (for Pincushion) Cut 1 x 3 circle (for Pincushion) Cut 1, 3 x 18 strip for long strap Cut 1, 3 x 5 strip for short strap Lining Fabric: Cut four pattern pieces Cut 1 x 20 square for the gusset Cut four 9 squares for pockets Cut 1, 42 x 1 1/2 wide strip to cover elastic for gadget holders From Felt Cut 1, 3 square of felt (using pinking shears) for needle keeper. From Clear Vinyl Cut 1, 6 1/2 x 14 rectangle Parlon and Bag Batting Cut 4 pattern pieces (from pattern that does not include seam allowances) Cobweb Cut 8 pattern pieces (from pattern that includes seam allowances) Construction 1. Fuse the cobweb to the wrong side of all four lining pieces and to the wrong side of all four outer pieces. The cobweb is fusible both sides, so ensure you use a sheet of parchment or appliqué mat to protect your iron and ironing board.
2. The base of the bag is attached to the sides. To enable the base to fold crisply, it is necessary to crack the bag batting. This is a technique I have borrowed from traditional tailoring, and is very simple. Take the bag batting pieces, and use your patchwork rotary cutter and ruler to cut the triangle piece from the side piece (this is marked on the pattern piece). Once you have cut the bag batting, fuse the pieces to the WRONG side of the lining fabric. 3. Fuse the Parlon to the wrong side of the Outer fabric pieces. 4. Sew the four seams of the base of the lining and the outer. 5. Press the seams open. 6. Set aside the outer, and work on the lining. 7. First construct the pockets from the four 9 squares of fabric. Begin by folding each square right sides together and sewing a seam along the edge opposite the fold. This will form a self lined pocket. You need four pockets, which are now sewn into position on each of the four sides of the organiser. The top edge is left unstitched, and you will use a finished stitch along the base of the pocket. The sides will be stitched using a longer machine stitch, simply to baste them into position. The basting stitches are removed later. 8. Construct the elastic gadget holders. Fold the 42 x 1 1/2 wide strip in half lengthwise, wrong sides together. Using a 1/4 seam sew the long side, and turn through to make a tube of fabric. Use a bodkin or safety pin to thread the elastic through the tube of fabric. This will make a nicely covered elastic strap. Use your machine to stitch the end of the elastic/fabric so that the elastic won t pull out of the strap. 9. With a pin, mark half way along the strap, then sew 1 either side of the mark. Cut the strap in half on the mark, making two straps. Sew the final end of the second half, catching the elastic into the fabric so it won t pull out.
10. Position the straps onto two of the sides of the organiser and sew. The straps can be divided to hold gadgets or thread, whatever you choose. Adjust any sewing measurement to suit your intended use. 11. Construct the Pin cushion. 12. Use a compass to draw both the 6 and 3 circles from the outer fabric. Cut a slightly smaller circle from the bag batting waste. 13. Use your sewing machine and a long stitch length (say 6.0mm) to sew two lines of stitching around the outside edge of the large circle. Draw these threads up to gather the circle. 14. Stuff with fibrefill. 15. Use your sewing machine and a long stitch length (say 6.0mm) to sew two lines of stitching around the outside edge of the small circle. Draw these threads up to gather the circle. 16. Position the bag batting into the centre of the circle so that it is covered with the fabric. 17. Attach the outer part of the magnetic close to the centre of the base. 18. Hand stitch the two sections together to form the pincushion. 19. Construct the vinyl pocket. Carefully mark the centre of the rectangle of vinyl. Position the hook part of the hook and loop tape (often called Velcro), and use your sewing machine to sew the tape into position. (see diagram) 20. Sew the metallic zip to the outside of the top of the vinyl. Use double sided tape to ensure that the zip stays in position as you sew.
21. Open the zipper and turn the tube inside out so that you can sew the side seams and base. 22. Sew the side seams. 23. Pinch the base to form two triangles, this will cause a base to form with the hook tape forming the bottom of the pocket. (My images are shown using fabric to make it easier for you to see!) 24. Turn the pocket right sides out. 25. Attach the hook part of the tape off centre to the base of the lining. 26. Attach the magnetic clasp off centre to the base of the lining. 27. Construct the bag straps sewing each of the straps right sides together. Turn through and press. Set aside. 28. Construct the gusset. Use a 1/4 seam, and with the fabric rights sides together sew the 20 square of lining fabric to the 20 square of outer fabric. Leave a small opening so you can turn the squares through to the right side. 29. Position the gusset on the wrong side of the lining.
29. The Gusset will sit at right angles to the lining piece, forming triangle gussets. 30. Use a basting stitch (6mm long) on you sewing machine and sew down the sides of the lining arms to temporarily secure the gusset section in place. 31. Open the zips. 32. The zips are used to close the organiser and give it it s shape. Using open ended zips allows us to completely flatten out the organiser when using it. 33. Pin the zips to the wrong side of the lining piece. The zips need to face you when the lining is face down on the table, so be sure to take your time and ensure that they are in the correct position now! Pin. 34. Place your zipper foot onto your machine. 35. Use your machine to base the zips into position. There should be a gap of around 1/2 at the bottom of the zip to allow you to connect the two halves together. You must also ensure that you sew close the the non zip edge of the zip tape, so don t sew too close the the zip teeth. 36. Position the bag handles on opposite arms of the organiser. 37. Test the zips, and make sure they are facing away from the lining, and that you can connect the base of the zips. Adjust if necessary. 38. Pin the outer to the bag lining, folding over the raw edges and working around the zips. Again don t sew too close to the teeth of the zip. 39. Sew using a normal stitch length. 40. Test the bag to ensure that everything opens and shuts!
41. Remove all basting stitches. About Machine Embroidered Version If you are making your Sewing Organiser using machine embroidery, you will need to embroidery your outer fabric panels first. I suggest you use chalk or a wash away pen to mark the pattern shape into your fabric, then embroider. Once the embroidery is complete you can go ahead and cut your fabric. Use the instructions above to complete the project.