This sewing project goes out to all my fellow moms who wish it was easier to find stuff in their bags. Today on Happiest Camper, we show you How To Make A Purse Organizer Insert! This fun and simple organizer is super cheap to make using upcycled placemats from the dollar store. We show you how to make it in a few different sizes to best match whatever bag you are carrying. I sewed the pockets in mine to fit my phone, some pens, my lotion, and other items I use every day. I wish I had made this a long time ago. I no longer have to worry about my lotion and other beauty products getting smashed and squirting all over the inside of my bag. This sewing project is great for beginners and can be made in about 20 minutes. My favorite part is how cheap it is to make. I just went to the dollar store and bought a couple of $1 placemats. They work great as they are already pretty sturdy. These little organizers would make nice gifts for friends and family so buy a few placemats while you are at the store and build up your gift stash.
You only need a few supplies other than the placemats which you probably already have on hand, The one thing you might not have is a hem gauge, but you can use a ruler instead if you need to. If you like this Placemat project you should check out our Placemat tote bag or our placemat apron they are both easy sewing projects.
What You’ll Need:
- Placemat
- Matching Thread
- Hem gauge
- Tailor’s chalk or Fabric marker
- Pins Or Clips
- Scissors
- Thread nippers
- Sewing machine
- Optional Rotary Cutter & Mat
How To Make A Purse Organizer Insert
Normally I like to wash, dry, and press my fabric before I start a project. Depending on the state of the placemats when you buy them this may be necessary or it may not be. I’ll leave that up to you to decide. Once you have made that determination, the next step on this how to make a purse organizer insert sewing tutorial is to hem the edge that will be the top of your organizer. To do this, lay your placemat out so the long sides are on the top and bottom. Fold the top edge down about an inch and clip along the folded edge. I found clips held better throughout this project since the fabric is thicker.
Next, flip the fabric so the folded over edge is on top. Sew right next to the finished edge of the placemat. Note that this edge should be on the left side of your presser foot. Make sure to remove clips as you go along.
Go back and stitch again along the same edge, but this time ¼” from the folded edge. This will give your placemat a nice, finished look, plus it helps with the stability of the top of the organizer.
Now on this simplepurse organizer insert sewing tutorial, you’ll lay your fabric out again with the long edges on the top and bottom and the newly sewn hem on the top. Fold the bottom edge up however deep you want your pockets to be. Mine ended up being folded up about 5”. Clip along the bottom folded edge. We are about halfway through this fun tutorial!
Using tailor’s chalk (or another marking utensil), mark lines vertically on the flap where you want your sewn lines for your pockets to be. You can lay out items that you want to fit in the pockets to ensure you have functionality in your organizer – simply add ½” on each side of the item before marking. If you are planning on making a longer organizer, you’ll need to repeat steps 1-5 on another placemat. We will connect them together in a moment.
Now on this diy purse organizer insert sewing tutorial, sew directly on top of your marked lines from the top finished edge of the folded pocket flap down to the bottom folded edge. I found it easier to change my stitch to a straight one where my needle was in the middle of the presser foot rather than the left side. You’ll start to see pockets form as you sew lines. Do not sew the outside edges. However, if you are not making a longer organizer, also sew the edges of the flap on each end to close the outside pockets. Your shorter organizer will be done at this point (like the red one in the pictures).
If you are making a longer organizer with two placemats, you’ll want to connect them at this point. Your edges should be unsewn. Tuck one folded edge inside of the folded edge of the other placemat far enough to overlap the pre-finished edges by just a bit. See photo for reference. Clip at bottom and top of the organizer to hold.
Stitch in between the pre-finished edges from top to bottom. Your organizer should now be a longer panel of pockets! Finish the outside edges with a seam close to the edge. Fold the organizer over and add it to your favorite purse!
Now that you know how to make a purse organizer insert, you can store digging for things in the bottom of your bag every time you need something. I bag a larger one and a smaller one for both the bags a carry in the rotation. You know, one when I have all the kids and one when I’m out by myself. 🙂 I found my placemats for super cheap, so keep an eye out at your local dollar store or even Walmart for some killer clearance deals.
If you liked learning how to to make a purse organizer insert, make sure to pin it to your favorite Pinterest board or share it with friends on social media. If you decide to make this simple project on your own, make certain that you take a picture afterward and tag us on social media as we love seeing the fabrics and color choices that people use!
How To Make A Purse Organizer Insert
Keep your purse nice and neat with this purse organizer insert. No more digging in the bottom of my purse for what I need!
Materials
- Placemat
- Matching Thread
Tools
Instructions
- Lay your placemat out so the long sides are on the top and bottom.
- Fold the top edge down about an inch and clip along the folded edge.
- Flip the fabric so the folded over edge is on top.
- Stitch right next to the finished edge of the placemat (the edge should be on the left side of your presser foot), removing clips as you go.
- Go back and stitch again along the same edge, but this time ¼” from the folded edge.
- Now lay your fabric out again with the long edges on the top and bottom and the newly sewn hem on the top.
- Fold the bottom edge up however deep you want your pockets to be. Mine ended up being folded up about 5”. Clip along the bottom folded edge.
- Using tailor’s chalk (or another marking utensil), mark lines vertically on the flap where you want your sewn lines to be.
- Ø If you are planning on making a longer organizer, you’ll need to repeat the last steps on another placemat. We will connect them together in a moment.
- Sew directly on top of your marked lines from the top finished edge of the folded pocket flap down to the bottom folded edge. Do not sew the outside edges.
- Ø However, if you are not making a longer organizer, also sew the edges of the flap on each end to close the outside pockets. Your shorter organizer will be done at this point (like the red one in the pictures).
- Tuck one folded edge inside of the folded edge of the other placemat far enough to overlap the pre-finished edges by just a bit. See photo for reference.
- Clip at bottom and top of organizer to hold.
- Stitch in between the pre-finished edges from top to bottom. Your organizer should now be a longer panel of pockets!
- Finish the outside edges with a seam close to the edge.
- Fold the organizer over and add it to your favorite purse!
Recommended Products
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