Automotive organiser

By Spotlight

Got long drives ahead of you over the holidays? Make this great seat pocket organiser & make travel tidy.

Final Result

Materials

• 60cm x 120cm printed canvas fabric
• 2.2m x 38mm woven/grosgrain ribbon or bias binding
• 2.7m x 22mm woven/grosgrain ribbon or bias binding
• sewing machine
• matching Gutermann thread
• scissors
• tape measure/ruler
• pins
• iron

Finished size
41cm wide x 60cm high.

Step 1

Cutting
Cut fabric as follows - 40cm x 60cm for the back, 40cm x 14cm for the top pocket, 40cm x 16cm for the middle pocket and 40cm x 23cm for the bottom pocket. Double hem the top edge of each pocket by pressing under 1.5cm then a further 1.5cm. Topstitch 1.3cm from the folded edge.

Step 2

Pockets
Press under 1.5cm along the bottom edges of the top and middle pocket pieces only. Pin bottom pocket to right side of back piece, aligning bottom raw edges. Stitch side and bottom edges together, 5mm in from edge. Leave top of pocket open.

Pin middle pocket to back piece, with bottom of pocket 27cm up from bottom raw edge of back. Topstitch raw side edges of pocket 5mm in from edge and topstitch bottom of pocket 3mm in from the folded edge. Leave top of pocket open. To make a divide in the pocket, stitch a vertical line down the centre of middle pocket.

Pin top pocket to back piece, with bottom of pocket 42cm up from bottom raw edge of back. Topstitch raw side edges of pocket 5mm in from edge and topstitch the bottom of pocket 3mm in from the folded edge. Leave top of pocket open. To make divides in the pocket, stitch one vertical line down the centre of top pocket, and another vertical line 8cm to the right of this centre line.

Step 3

Binding
Cut 2 x 60cm lengths of 38mm wide ribbon and press in half lengthways. Bind the two long side edges of organizer with folded ribbon, topstitching 2mm from edge of ribbon. Cut 2 x 50cm lengths of 38mm wide ribbon and press in half lengthways.

Bind the top and bottom edges of organizer with folded ribbon, topstitching 2mm from edge of ribbon and double folding under the raw ends of tape behind back of organizer.

Step 4

Ties
Cut 2 x 50cm lengths of 22mm wide ribbon. Make a double hem on one end of each length, by turning under 5mm then another 5mm and stitching in place. Fold under the other end of each ribbon length, pin to the back of organizer along the top edge, 9cm in from each side. Topstitch in place.

Cut remaining 22mm wide ribbon into 2 x 85cm lengths. Make a double hem on one end of each length as before. Fold under the other end, pin to the back of organizer on each side at the bottom corners. Topstitch in place.

Handy Hint

To use this organiser inside simply tie to a large wooden coathanger.