Craft Caddy

Sew Useful

Posted by Search Press

About

If you’re crafting on the go, this handy caddy has a pocket for all your tools, glues, pens, tapes, patterns and more! I used a heavy-weight cotton for both the outside of the caddy and the lining, as this helps to make it sturdy. You will need about 68cm (¾ yard) each of two fabrics.

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You Will Need (11 things)

  • For the sides, two pieces of outer Fabric measuring 40.6 x 28cm (16 x 11in)
  • Two pieces of Lining Fabric measuring the same
  • For the ends, two pieces of outer Fabric measuring 
28 x 15.2cm (11 x 6in) and two lining pieces measuring the same
  • For the pockets, four pieces of outer Fabric measuring 17.8 x 53.4cm (7 x 21in and four pieces of lining fabric measuring the same
  • For the base, one piece of outer fabric measuring 40.6 x 15.2cm (16 x 6in) and one piece of Lining Fabric measuring the same
  • A piece of bag base or stiff Cardboard measuring 
38 x 12.7cm (15 x 5in)
  • For the handles, two strips of Fabric measuring 
6.3 x 25.4cm (2½ x 10in)
  • Four Button(s)
  • Four bag Feet
  • Two 38cm (15in) lengths of 12mm (½in) Dowelling
  • 114 cm (45in) of 2.5cm (1in) Bias Binding

Steps (9 steps, 180 minutes)

  1. 1

    Place all of the pocket pieces right sides together with their linings and sew across the top. Turn the right way and press.

  2. 2

    Take the two outer sides of the bag and pin the sides of the long pockets across the front of each.

  3. 3

    Pin the centre point and sew down the pocket to secure it, back tacking at the top end a couple of times to strengthen.

  4. 4

    Fold and crease the pleats of the pockets, making sure they are the same distance from the centre stitches, and top stitch the creases. Pin, then sew straight across 
the bottom.

  5. 5

    For the inside pockets, again sew each end to the right side of the lining fabric. This time, fold the pocket fabric into ‘tubes’ to hold pens etc. It doesn’t matter if they aren’t uniform in size. Pin then sew down the edges of each tube, back tacking again at the top.

  6. 6

    Make the bag lining by sewing the sides to the ends, then pin in the base and sew.

  7. 7

    Do the same with the outside of the bag, then turn the right way out. Glue the bag base to the bottom of this outer casing. When the glue is dry, attach the bag feet at each corner of the base.

  8. 8

    Drop the lining into the bag and pin the sides together.

  9. 9

    Sew the bias binding around the top of the caddy and fold the top over by 3.8cm (1½in). Make up the handles (and sew on to the top of each side centrally, securing with a button at each end. Insert the dowelling under the fold along each long side, and glue in place.

    Tip
    You could add more pockets to the sides of the bag, and add stiffener if you need the bag to be stronger. I have decorated this caddy with one of the fabric flowers.