Travel Organizer for the Auto

My brother and his wife have several extended travel plans this coming year, and asked for something to help keep the back seat tidy for their Christmas gift.  This is what I came up with:

The car seat protector was made loosely following Bubbly Nature's Tutorial.  Since the back seat is a bench seat, I had to accommodate seat belt stuff.  I lined the openings with grosgrain ribbon and zigzag stitched it into place...that was tricky on oilcloth!

The organizer was sized to fit the "middle" space between my nieces' car seats, and may need to be tweaked to fit your vehicle/needs.  I included pleated pockets...my new favorite pocket type.

You'll need:

• 1/2 yard home decorator weight fabric.  I used red denim/twill.
• Coordinating  2" bias tape (folded and pressed to 1/2"), about 1 yard for organizer
• Matching thread
• 1/2 yard fusible fleece
• Sewing tools, including scissors, pins, sewing machine and iron

Let's begin, shall we?
Step one.  Cut out your pattern pieces..  Two main pieces, 12" x 19".  Cut the fusible fleece 1/4" smaller than the main pieces.  2 flat pockets, 12" x 7.5".  One 21" x 5" piece to make two pleated pockets.

Step two.  Prepare your pieces.  Apply fusible fleece to one main piece.

Apply bias tape to each of the pocket tops.  For fun, I used different coordinating fabric scraps.  To prepare the bias tape, fold tape in half and press.  Then press each long side to center and press again.  Pin along tops of pockets.

Top stitch in place.

Step three.  Install flat pockets.  Measure 3" from top of organizer, and lay the first pocket in place.  With a pin, mark where the bottom of the pocket is.

Flip the pocket so it mirrors where it was originally, with right sides now facing each other.

Zigzag stitch the pocket into place.

Now fold the pocket back up so it is right side out, and press.

Sew the pocket down again with two rows of topstitching.

Determine the placement of the second flat pocket, approximately 5.5" from the first pocket.  Repeat.

When pockets are in place, sew a zig zag stitch along the sides of the pockets to secure to main pattern piece.

Step four.  Install pleated pockets.  To begin, press the long pleated pocket piece in half to mark the center point.  Also iron a small pleat to mark the center of the main backing piece.

Match the centers, and sew this line, being sure to reinforce the top of the stitching with additional top stitching.  Also secure the sides with a zig zag stitch.

Once sewn, fold in the pleats so that the edges are equal, approximately 1" in from the center and sides.  Press into place.

Finally, zig zag stitch the pleats along the bottom to secure.

Step five.  Add straps.
Use about 20" pieces of bias tape that has been topstitched, to create the straps.

Pin in place about a 1/2" from the side of the organizer.  Baste into place.

Step six.  Complete organizer.  Carefully pin the pleats out of the way.

With right sides together, pin the back main piece to the front.  Sew using a 1/2" seam, leaving a 4 inch opening at the bottom of the organizer for turning.

Trim corners, and turn right side out.  If you want, use a seam ripper to help you pull the corners out tight.  Press the seams well.

Pin the opening closed, and topstitch around the perimeter of the organizer.

This is the perfect size to hold books, treats, and keep those essentials for a long car trip handy.  I wish I'd had one when our kiddos were little!

Any handmade Christmas gifts you really liked making this year?  I'll have a few more to share...