How to Make a Denim Organizer

If you would like to make an organizer that is sturdy and affordable, the easiest way I know of is to use a pair of old jeans. You can make different sizes for different uses.

If you need a large organizer for your home or office, you can decide on the size you will need. For an example, we will use a baby organizer. We want to make it big enough to hold shampoo, baby powder, baby lotion, diapers, and a few other pockets for miscellaneous items.

We will make our organizer out of denim. You can piece together old jeans or buy new, whichever you prefer. For this example, we will use old jeans. To begin, cut out as many same size pieces as you can. 8 inch squares is a common size, or 10 inch squares if you have enough denim. Cut out 9 squares that size and piece together to make a square. Hem all sides of the organizer back.

We will need to hem the top only of each pocket. Next we will attach one pocket to each square by folding under one half inch and topstitching around three raw edges. To make this easier you might want to sew down a half inch to the wrong side first which will be easier to turn over and stitch down to the back without having to worry about folding under as you sew. If you are particular, you can iron the half inch down, then sew, and then attach to the back. This is the way that I found works best.

After you have attached all 9 pockets, you are ready to add the hanger. The easiest way is to take the left over seams from the jeans, hem the raw edges toward the seams on the wrong side. You can decide on the length of hanger you need. Measure across the top of your finished organizer and add 6 inches. With right side of hanger facing the back of the organizer, attach each raw edge to the top, leaving approximately 2 inches from the edges. Hang over two nails spread out the length of the organizer minus 4 inches. This one is perfect for the garage or storage shed.

Another useful organizer is one you can hang inside your closet door. For this one, I would use a long strip of denim (old pair of jeans). Cut one piece 8 inches wide by 24 inches long. For the pockets, cut 4 squares each measuring 6 inches. You will add the pockets to the organizer the same as before, only you will line them up going down the backing. To attach this one, fold over the backing top 1 inch and insert a clothes hanger, then sew toward the back. It is ready to hang in the closet or on the door.

My favorite is a gardening organizer. This one has many other uses such as working on home decorating project, working on a small engine, housecleaning, collecting sea shells, or selling tickets. It is sewn like a very short apron to carry around the tools for whatever job you are working on. For gardening, you could carry seeds, a pair of gloves, a small spade for planting, and your bottle of water. To make this, start out with a pair of used jeans. Cut off both legs of the pants. Measure across the narrowest part of the leg and cut both legs that size. We will use 8 inches as an example.

Cut your first piece 8 inch wide and half the size of your waist. We will use a 32 inch waist for our example. Our first piece would then measure 8 inches by 16 inches. Lay that piece aside and cut 3 pieces, 6 inches by 8 inches. These will be our pockets. The extra two inches at the top will provide room inside the pocket. Be sure to sew the side seams to the back with the largest part on top straight up and down. To make this step easier you might want to draw a square with chalk or soap on the back, showing you where to attach each pocket. Hem all 3 pockets all the way around. Hem the apron part all the way around also.

We will cut two 3 inch strips that are 16 inches long. Turn both raw ends toward the center for the entire 16 inches. Sew both sides of the ties along the raw edges down the length of the ties. Hem one end of each tie also.

To pin, center one pocket on the right side of the apron and lay the two other pockets on either side of the center pocket. Attach pockets by sewing down the left, bottom and right sides of each pocket to the apron. Then attach one tie to each top corner of the apron with the raw edge of the tie pinned to the wrong side of the apron.

Admire your work, then tie the apron around your waist and fill your pockets with the tools or supplies you will need.