Pattern Binder DIY to Organize Sewing Patterns
Pattern Binder DIY to organize your sewing patterns.
Any sewist can most likely make this quick, easy project
from supplies you already have on hand.
In this post we talked about pattern storage ideas
and promised to show you how to make our favorite type of pattern organization, the Pattern Binder.
Pattern Binder Diy to organize your sewing patterns.
WHAT YOU NEED:
- Coordinating fabric pieces to design the cover.
- Quilt batting.
- Matching thread, decorative accessories, optional.
- Zipper storage bags, gallon size.
- Scissors, measuring tape, fabric marker,
Make the Pattern Binder cover.
We give you complete freedom here to piece together coordinating (or clashing) scraps of fabric
in any design you wish. Think of quilt making, only simpler.
We’re using black cotton and cream satin for the outside cover, and cream satin for the inside.
This is how to cut the fabric to look like ours:
- Black piece = 14″ x 24″
- Cream front piece = 14″ x 4″
- Cream liner piece = 14″ x 27″
- Quilt batting or interfacing = 14″ x 27″
SEW THE FRONT:
- Sew the 5″ wide strip of cream satin onto the 24″ black piece.
- Iron the seam.
- Place front cover right side up on cutting table.
- Place cream liner piece on top of front cover piece, right sides together.
- Top the cover pieces with quilt batting.
- Pin all together around edges.
- Flip over so batting is on cutting table.
- Measure the center of the 14″ cream side of the front cover.
- Pin a loop of ribbon, lacing, or whatever you choose between the covers at this spot. This will be the loop that keeps the binder closed later.
- Sew around all edges, leaving a 5″ opening at the bottom for turning the covers right side out.
- Snip the corners and turn right side out.
- Pin the seams of the 5″ opening closed, raw edges inside.
- Top-stitch all around the edges.
- Decorate the front with soutache braid, ribbon, buttons, etc. (See my black and cream binder in the photo above.)
Finish the inside of the Pattern Binder.
- Cut a black strip of fabric 14″ x 4″, then iron 1/2″ hems all around.
- Mark the center of the inside of the cover piece, both top and bottom. Mark 1.5″ on each side of the center. Draw a line with the fabric marker from top to bottom on the two outside marks. This will be a 3″ “spine” for the binder.
- Pin as many zipper bags as you wish along both sides of the spine. Place the bottom bags so the zipper fits at least 1/2″ inside the edges of the cover.
- To keep the zipper bags from sliding around too much, adhere to each other with double sided tape.
- When you have about 5 or 6 bags on each side, lay the black strip on top of the spine, hems down. Top stitch all around the black strip, catching all the layers.
Fill the zipper bags with your patterns.
And you’re done!
I like to make a “cover” for inside each zipper bag, with a picture of the pattern and a list of the pieces.
I print these on letter size paper and fold them in half with the pattern pieces enclosed inside, then slide them into the clear zipper bags.
