Locker Organizer

Just in time for the back-to-school rush! Sew a smart locker organizer from your favorite colors of broadcloth or denim. Before you know it, your works will be the envy of all that pass by!

MATERIALS NEEDED:

 
• 1/3 yd. main fabric of denim, broadcloth, or corduroy
• 1/8 yd. contrasting fabric for pockets and tabs
• matching sewing thread
• 2-1/2" buttons
• pins
• Fasturn Tubes (optional)
• rotary cutter (optional)
• rotary mat (optional)

From the main fabric:

 
• two 9" x 15 1/2" rectangles for the front and back of organizer

 
• two 7" x 4" rectangles for the tabs
• one 6" x 11" rectangle for upper pocket
• one 7" x 5" rectangle for lower left pocket
• one 3 1/2" x 7 1/2" rectangle for lower right pocket

 
• Backstitch when you begin and end a seam to provide reinforcement.
• Clip your threads as you sew.

1

Take the upper pocket and fold it in half lengthwise. With right sides together, start sewing at the fold. Sew the pocket as shown below, leaving a 3" opening along the bottom edge of the pocket.

2

Trim the seam allowances away leaving a 1/8" allowance at the corners. Turn the pocket right side out through the opening in seam. Press the seams out.

3

Prepare the lower left pocket by sewing a 1/2" seam across the 8" side. Turn the seam allowance back toward the wrong side of the fabric. Press along the seam using it as your guide. Sewing from the right side, topstitch the pressed edge.

4

With remaining lower right pocket, sew a 1/2" seam across the 3 1/2" side. Turn the seam allowance back toward the wrong side of the fabric. Press along the seam using it as your guide. Sewing from the right side, topstitch the pressed edge. Position the rectangle with the right side up and the topstitched edge away from you. Sew a 1/2" seam along the left side of rectangle. Again, turn back allowance and press using the seam.

5

Lay organizer front on a flat surface. Position lower left pocket so that the cut edges match the edges of the front, as shown. Pin in place. Beginning at the topstitched edge, create a pocket dividing seam 2 1/2" from the cut edge of the organizer.

6

Take the lower right pocket and place it over the lower right corner of organizer front. Match the cut edges of the pocket and organizer as shown. Pin the pocket in place. Starting at the top of the pocket, topstitch the inside edge of the pocket.

7

Place the upper pocket 2 1/2" above the finished edge of the lower left pocket and 1" away from the left cut edge of the organizer. The folded edge of the pocket should be used as the top edge of the pocket. Topstitch around the pocket, from fold to fold.

8

To the finish line... With right sides together, place the organizer back over organizer front. Leaving the top side of the organizer open, sew three sides of the organizer. Turn out right side of the organizer. Press seams.

9

Take the rectangles cut for tabs, fold in half crosswise. One tab at a time, sew the length of the tab and across one end. Trim at the point of each tab to a 1/8" seam allowance. Turn tabs right side out. (Hint: use a Fasturn to turn quickly.)

10

Using a pin, mark º" away from finished end of the tab. Using the mark, sew a buttonhole appropriate to the size of the button that is centered about tab. Repeat for second tab. Cut open buttonhole. Around the top edge of the organizer, press a 1/2" seam toward the wrong side. Measure 1 1/2" from the each side of the organizer, mark with a pin. Insert unfinished edge of the tabs between the front and back of the organizer. Match the cut edge of the tabs with the cut edge of the organizer. To position the tabs, measure 1 1/2" from the each edge of the organizer and align the outside edge of the tabs.

11		Fold tab over front of front of organizer to find placement for button. Sew on button 1" down from the top edge.
	Stock your new organizer with plenty of pencils, pens, note cards, and maybe even a snack bar to make it successfully through those first months back-to-school!