Take me to the Steps

If, like me, you tend to accumulate projects-in-progress, you might want to stitch up a bunch of these easy oilcloth holders. They keep all the needed supplies together, neat and tidy, and they’re structured so little things can’t easily fall out. They store easily on a shelf or in a bin, and when you’re ready to craft, you can read the handy hanging tag to find the project you want.

Materials

  • 1/2 yard oilcloth or tablecloth vinyl See note below.
  • Scrap of 8 mil clear vinyl (optional)
  • Downloadable tag pattern
  • Pearl cotton embroidery floss or baker’s twine
  • Chenille needle large eye, sharp point
  • Large sew-through button
  • Scissors
  • Pinking shears or decorative-edge scissors
  • Masking tape
  • Sewing machine
  • Thread

Materials Note: If you want to make a lot of Project Keepers on the cheap, watch your local thrift stores for vinyl tablecloths.

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Project Steps

Step 1: Decide on the size you want your finished Project Keeper to be, and then follow the above diagram to cut a piece of oilcloth or vinyl. Size your Keeper a little generously, as the side seams will take away about 1″ in width.

Step 2: You should end up with a long rectangle of oilcloth or vinyl. If you like, trim both short edges with pinking shears or decorative scissors.

Step 3: Fold the rectangle almost in half, leaving about 3″ at the top, as shown. Crease the fold well with your fingers. This step helps you identify the front panel of the Keeper.

Step 4: If you like, you can add a clear vinyl pocket to the outside of your Keeper. I like these pockets because I’m always trying to keep my craft tools with my WIPs (works in progress), but then I usually end up wanting those tools later for another project. I store scissors, hooks, needles, etc. in the outside pocket of the Keeper so I can find them easily. If you want to add a pocket, unfold the rectangle so it’s a single layer again. Cut a scrap of clear vinyl to the pocket size you want. Tape it to the front panel of the Keeper with masking tape.

Step 5: Sew along 3 sides of the pocket, leaving the top edge open. You can sew right over the tape and pull it off afterward.

Step 6: Refold the piece as in Step 3. Place a couple tabs of masking tape around each side to hold this fold in place.

Step 7: Fold that extra 3″ over the front of the Keeper. Make sure this flap overlaps the front panel no more than 3/4″. Tape the flap down as well.

Step 8: Sew along both sides, through all layers, using a 1/2″ seam allowance. Again, you can sew right over the tape and peel it away afterward.

Step 9: If you like, you can trim the seam allowance with decorative scissors or pinking shears.

Step 10: Next, make the hang tag. Cut out the front and back pieces from black vinyl, following the shapes shown here. Cut a clear piece to fit between them as a window. Stack the three pieces together, with wrong sides together and the clear vinyl in the center. Tape them, and sew along 3 edges and the top as shown above. Leave one side open so you can slip in a handwritten label later.

Step 11: Sew a button to the front panel of the Keeper, about 2″ below the top edge. Make sure it’s centered.

Step 12: Thread a chenille needle with about 36″ of embroidery floss or twine. Pass the needle up through the top of the tag from back to front. Then, pass it back down to form a small loop, as shown here.

Step 13: Pull the floss through until the ends are even, and then pass the ends up through the loop. Pull the floss to make a slip knot.

Step 14: Thread the 2 ends of the floss together on the chenille needle. Bring the needle up through the flap, passing it from inside to outside. Center this stitch above the button.

Step 15: Pull the floss until the tag is hanging about 6″-8″ below the stitch, as shown.

Step 16: Then, pass the needle back down through the flap, forming a small stitch.

Step 17: Tie the ends of the floss in a secure double knot at the inside of the flap. Trim away the end of the floss that isn’t attached to the tag.

Step 18: To operate this closure, just wind the floss around the button a few times.

Fill your Keeper with a project, write its name on a scrap of paper, and slip it into the tag. Storage accomplished!