DIY & Crafts

A cute and practical DIY desk organizer

A cute and practical DIY desk organizer

DIY & Crafts

A cute and practical DIY desk organizer

Next time you're refreshing the office space why not try making this adorable desk organizer that's so much better than any impersonal office depot one. This project is courtesy of The Savy Crafter herself, Charlie Moorby. For more projects like this check our Moorby's new book Easy Home Sewing Projects.

YOU WILL NEED
• Main fabric: 16 x 18 inches (40 x 45 cm)
• Contrast fabric: 16 x 44 inches (40 x 112 cm)
• Foam-core board: white, 2 sheets, 12 x 16½ inches (30 x 42 cm) each
• Double-sided tape
• Matching sewing thread
• Basic sewing kit

Note: Use a ⅝-inch 1½ -cm seam allowance.

CUTTING
Cut the foam-core board as follows:

Tray 
Base: 4 x 16½ inches (10 x 42 cm). 
Short sides: two pieces, 4 x 1¼ inches (10 x 3 cm) each. 
Long sides: two pieces, 16½ x 1¼ inches (42 x 3 cm) each. 
Long divider (left): 8¾ x 1¼ inches (22 x 3 cm). 
Long divider (right): 7⅞ x 1¼ inches (20 x 3 cm). 
Short dividers: three pieces, 2 x 1¼ inches (5 x 3 cm) each. 
Central divider: 4 x 1¼ inches (10 x 3 cm).

Cell-phone box
Base: 1⅞ x 3⅜ inches (4½ x 8½ cm). 
Short sides: two pieces, 1⅞ x 2⅜ inches (4½ x 6 cm) each. 
Long sides: two pieces, 3⅜ x 2⅜ inches (8½ x 6 cm) each.

Cut the fabric as follows:

Main fabric—tray
Base: 5¼ x 17¾. inches (13 x 45 cm). 
Short sides: two pieces, 5¼ x 2⅜ inches (13 x 6 cm). 
Long sides: two pieces, 17¾ x 2⅜ in (45 x 6 cm) each.

Contrast fabric—tray
Base: 5¼ x 17¾ inches (13 x 45 cm). 
Short sides: two pieces, 5¼ x 2⅜ inches (13 x 6 cm) each.
Long sides: two pieces, 17¾ x 2⅜ inches (45 x 6 cm) each. 
Long divider (left): two pieces, 9⅞ x 2⅜ inches )(25 x 6 cm) each.
Long divider (right): two pieces, 9⅛ x 2⅜ inches (23 x 6 cm) each. 
Short dividers: six pieces, 3⅛ x 2⅜ inches (8 x 6 cm) each.
Central divider: two pieces, 5½ x 2⅜ inches (13 x 6 cm) each.

Contrast fabric—cell-phone box
Base: two pieces, 3 x 4⅝ inches (7½ x 11½ cm) each.
Short sides: four pieces, 3 x 3⅝ inches (7½ x 9 cm) each.
Long sides: four pieces, 4⅝ x 3⅝ inches (11½ x 9 cm) each.

MAKING THE PIECES
Step 1: All of the desk organizer pieces are made in the same way. Starting with the foam-core board piece, main fabric piece, and contrast fabric piece you cut out for the tray base. The main fabric goes on the outside, and the contrast is used to line the inside.

Step 2: Stick double-sided tape around the edge of one side of the foam-core board.

Step 3: Center the foam-core board on top of the wrong side of the main fabric piece with the tape, side up. Remove the strips from the tape and then fold the fabric edges over the board and press down on the tape to hold it in place.

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Step 4: Place the contrast lining piece right side up on top of the foam-core board you have just folded the fabric over. Turn the edges under so they meet up with the folded-over edges of the outer fabric. Slip-stitch the two fabric edges together all the way around. 

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Step 5: Cover and line each of the foam board pieces in the same way. The outer tray has the main fabric on one side and the contrast fabric as lining. Cover and line the dividers and the cell-phone box with the contrast fabric. (You can use all the same color or a mixture of colors if you prefer.)

JOINING THE PIECES
Step 1: Take a long side piece and a short side piece and place them lining sides together. Work a few small stitches through the outer fabric at one end to anchor your thread and then oversew the two pieces together down the side. You should only stitch through the outer fabric; you'll find it easier if you angle the pieces slightly to keep your stitches barely visible.

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Step 2: Join the other side pieces together in the same way as in Step 1.

Step 3: Stitch the base to the bottom edges of the four sides to complete your tray.

Step 4: Place the dividers in position inside the tray and slip-stitch them to the tray lining to hold them in place. Refer to the photograph for placement or choose your own arrangement to fit your stationery. 

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Step 5: Make the cell-phone box the same way that you made the tray. You can then put the cell-phone box into the space at the top right of the tray to store your phone while you're working.

 

 

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DIY & Crafts

A cute and practical DIY desk organizer

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