Bedside organizer

bedside 072Here’s a little organizer that hangs over the side rails of your bed. It has two pleated pockets for roomy storage and a few pen slots. It’s an easy way to keep your bedside neat and your necessities within reach.

 

 

 

 

Supplies

lettyspraywalnut-m
Letty Spray Walnut
Ribbon
Ribbon
Piping
Piping
Drapery weights (optional)
Drapery weights (optional)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I used 1 yard of fabric, less than one package of piping and 1-1/3″ yards of ribbon. The weights are simply to help balance the back side and the front side, which will be weighed down when full of objects.

 

 

 

 

The pattern

My bed rail was 3-1/4″ thick and 11″ high. I’m going to base my measurements on that, but you can substitute your own measurements in. (See first photo under The Process if you have a very thin bed rail.)

For my top panel, I took my width measurement and added 1″ for seam allowance and I chose to make it 20″ long, plus 1″ seam allowance. So I cut two fabric pieces 3-3/4″x21″ and two piping pieces 21″ long.

For my side panels (one will be in front with pockets and the other sandwiched between the mattress and the back of the side rail), I made them 11″ tall plus 20″ wide, but added 1″ seam allowance to each of those. I cut four fabric pieces 12″x21″.

For my pocket, I made it 35″x8″ (wxh).

 

Cut the ribbon into four equal pieces.

1/2″ seam allowances.

 

The process

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As you can see, the side rails on my bed are really big and thick. Yours may be much smaller (and some of you may not have any at all. You may want to buy a new bed if you want to make this project). You can customize your project depending on your rails. If they are very thin, you may not need a top piece — you could just sew the two side pieces together at the top. Add a piece of piping if you’d like. The rest of this tutorial will assume you have a top edge for your organizer.

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Sew your piping along either edge of one of your top pieces. You want the piping about 1/2″ from the edge.

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Place your other top piece face-down on this one and stitch only the short edges.

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Flip it open. Just the ends are sewn right now and the sides are open. Set aside for now.

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To make the back side of your organizer (which will be between the side rail and the mattress), take one side piece and make a mark about 4″ in on either side for your ribbon ties. These will tie to the front on the bottom of the rail. It doesn’t matter exactly how far in you place them as long as they are the same on both sides. Place the ribbons along the bottom edge going up, as shown in the photo. Place another side piece on top, right-sides together, and pin, making sure not to move the ribbons and to pin them in place. Stitch around the sides and bottom, but not the top.

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Clip the corners to reduce bulk.

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Turn it right-side out and press smooth.

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Top-stitch around the sides and bottom, if desired, except the top 1/2″.

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Take your pocket piece and find the center. Using a fabric marker, draw a line up the center and 1″ to either side of that to mark the pen slots. (I used a fabric pencil and didn’t test first and it didn’t come out well. Don’t be like me! Always test first!)

bedside 048Fold the top edge of the pocket down 1/4″ and press. Then fold another 1/4″ and press again.

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Stitch along the top edge.

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Now, mark your lines for your pocket pleats. I marked one of them 4-3/4″ from either end and then 9-1/2″ from either end. Then mark a center line at 7″.

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Bring in each outer line to meet at the center line and press in place. Here it is part way done.

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You can see that I did some adjustments on mine so I have some spots where I changed my creases and it looks a bit strange right now. I have pinned my pocket piece to one of the remaining side pieces along the sides and bottom.

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Stitch along the center lines to form slots for pens.

Next step (no picture): Take your other side piece and place it right-sides together with the one with the pockets. Don’t forget to place your ribbon ties just like on the other side. Stitch all the way around the sides and bottom. Top stitch if desired, except the top 1/2″. Turn right-side out and press.

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This step may be a bit confusing, so look at the following picture, too. Take your top piece and place the side with the piping against the pocket side of this piece along the top edge. Stitch along the piping (using your piping foot) but ONLY on the front (pocket) edge. The back piece should be kept free.

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Here it is after stitching one side. Press the top piece up and away.

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When you flip it to the back side, you have the other side loose. Turn under 1/2″ seam allowance and press.

bedside 064Repeat on the other side of the top piece and the other side piece. From the wrong side it will look like this with the two pressed under, but not stitched, pieces. Hand stitch those seams closed.

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From the top, it will look like this with the piping and a nicely finished seam.

Place over bed rails and tie at the bottom.

A few other views of the finished project:

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