| These easy-to-make wall pockets provide pretty craft and sewing storage. |
I have a confession to make.
In last Friday's blog post I wrote about how, after a flurry of creating, my craft studio was covered in piles of fabric scraps. I then talked about how I would have to tidy everything up when I returned from vacation, noting that I enjoy neatening my fabric stash because it allows me to contemplate new projects I can make with the fabric.
All of which is true . . . except that while I was away I was secretly hoping that the art studio elves had worked their magic, and that everything would be in place when I returned.
No such luck.
However, I did find the Fall 2011 issue of Stitch magazine on my desk, and what should I discover inside, but a 10-project segment on pretty and practical items to keep you organized and inspired.
Not quite magical elves, but these projects are so easy, and so cute, they make a good substitute. I mean, what's better than using your scraps to organize your studio?
I love the sewing machine cover and organizer, and the utility-style craft apron is pretty cool, too. But the project that made my heart go pitter-pat was the set of embroidery hoop wall pockets.
Now, we've all seen fabric swatches framed in embroidery hoops—and that is a great idea. But Bonnie Ferguson's design goes one better (actually, three better) by turning these fabric displays into storage for your art studio supplies.
| Nested fabric storage boxes by Lucie Summers. |
I have a bunch of embroidery hoops at home—and goodness knows a ton of pretty fabrics—so I got to work right away. Here are the basic instructions.
1. Measure the diameter of the hoop and cut 2 circles of fabric (matching or coordinating) and 1 piece of fusible fleece slightly larger than the diameter of the hoop.
2. Fuse the fleece to the wrong side of the background circle.
3. Fold the other fabric circle in half, wrong sides together, and press. This forms the pocket.
4. Align the raw edges of the folded pocket piece with the bottom of the background piece. Pin and baste the pocket in place, then stitch through all the layers ¼" from the raw edges.
5. Measure, pin, and mark (with removable fabric marking pen) the segments in the pockets and topstitch.
6. Sandwich the fabric between the inner and outer rings of the embroidery hoop, making sure the wing-nut fastener is at the top. Hang and fill with supplies.
The complete directions and patterns for this project are available on the Stitch website. The other sewing and craft studio organizing projects, including quilted bookends, a business card portfolio, nested storage boxes, and an ingenious (and easy) machine-needle pincushion, are in the Fall issue of Stitch, available now.
