Out the Door Organizer – free sewing tutorial

Be ready to walk out the door by sewing up this smart organizer that has pockets and hanging loops for anything you need. This free fat quarter friendly sewing tutorial was designed by my friend Staci of Crafty Staci. I’m so excited that she’s sharing it with us today.

You know what happens when you’re headed out of your house – the search is on for your keys, wallet, sunglasses, mail, and everything else you need to make sure you have in hand. Make it easier on yourself with this organizer that holds all those things and hangs on your doorknob!

The finished organizer measures 5 1/4” wide and 10” tall, not including the hanger.

This is a great sewing project for beginners or experienced sewers who will find it fast and easy to complete.

Are you ready to sew this cute hanging organizer? Let’s do it!

Out the Door Organizer Sewing Tutorial:

• You will need:

• 1/4 yard main fabric (a fat quarter is fine)

• 1/4 yard coordinating fabric (a fat quarter is fine)

• 1/2 yard medium weight fusible interfacing (such as Pellon Decor Bond 809 or Shape Flex SF101)

Cutting:

Cut the following pieces from your main fabric:

• A & B – two 6 x 10 ½” for the body front and back

• D – one 6 x 10 ½” for the middle pocket

• G & H – two 2 x 3 ½” for the side loops

Cut the following pieces from your coordinating fabric:

• C – one 6 x 14 ½” for the tallest pocket

• E – one 6 x 6 ½” for the shortest pocket

• F – one 2 x 10 ½” for the hanger

Cut these pieces from medium weight fusible interfacing:

• two 6 x 10 ½” for body A & B

• one 6 x 14 ½” for pocket C

• one 6 x 10 ½” for pocket D

• one 6 x 6 ½” for pocket E

Preparation:

1. Apply the fusible interfacing to the wrong sides of pieces A, B, C, D, and E. Fold pieces C, D, and E in half widthwise , with wrong sides together.

They should measure: C = 6 x 7 ¼”, D = 6 x 5 ¼”, E = 6 x 3 ¼” after folding.

2. Fold piece G in half lengthwise with wrong sides together. Press. Fold both raw edges into the center and press again. Stitch close to both folded edges. Repeat with piece H.

3. Fold and press piece F in the same manner. Stitch close to both folded edges.

Sewing:

1. Lay out piece A, right side facing up.

Top with piece C, with bottom edges even and the fold toward the top.

Add piece D over that, lining up the raw edges at the bottom.

Lay piece E over piece D, bottom edges even.

2. Pin loop G just above the fold of C on the right side, edges even with A and the two ends side by side. Make sure all pin heads are to the outside so you can remove them easily as you sew.

Pin loop H in the same way on the left side.

3. Pin one end of hanger F ½” from the right edge of A, with the end even with the top edge.

Pin the other end ½” from the left edge. Make sure there are no twists in your hanger.

Tip: Baste around the entire piece a scant 1/4’’ from the edge if you are worried that your pieces may shift before attaching the back.

4. Lay B right side down over the top of everything. Pin well, especially if you did not baste after the previous step..

5. Stitch all the way around the piece with a ¼” seam allowance, leaving 3 ½” open at the bottom for turning.

6. Clip the corners and turn the organizer right side out through the opening. Make sure all the pockets end up on the correct side.

7. Press, turning in the edges at the opening. Top stitch all the way around, close to the edge. The bottom edge is very thick due to all the layers, so switch to a heavy duty needle if necessary and go slowly.

Hang it up on a doorknob and fill it with all your out-the-door essentials!

I’ve been a maker for as long as I can remember.  If there’s a technique I haven’t tried, it’s probably on my to-do list.  At my blog, Crafty Staci, I create beginner-friendly craft and sewing tutorials, simple recipes, and curate links to fun things to make.   Sometimes people are hesitant to take that first step into making things. My goal is to guide and inspire them to jump in, and not be afraid to make mistakes along the way.  I want to do my part to keep handmade alive and well!

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