The Matchbox Organizer and a mini tutorial

Thank you to all of you who voted for my Hanging Car Garage/Matchbox Car Organizer on SYTYC. By way of a mini tutorial (sorry if I forgot details, I made it in February!), here's how I put it together:

First, I measured the length I'd need for the number of cars I wanted to store. I figured that the length would be 26 inches by 16 1/2 inches. I then used the hanger as a guide to shape the top.

I then marked the location of where the pockets and words would be.

I traced the words I printed out onto freezer paper, and cut them out with my pocket knife.

I ironed on the stencils, and then painted the lettering.

Then, I made the pockets.  Each pocket was made from two pieces of fabric 2 1/2 inch by 16 1/2 inches long, sewn right sides together and turned, and then attached to the background where I'd marked. 

I sewed the pockets by topstitching the bottom and basting the sides.  I marked the pocket dividers with tailor's chalk, and sewed down each pocket.

I made a skinny piping, and basted it to the outer edge of the garage. 

For the applique, I drew a car shape based on the fabric and made appliques with aqua and white fabric and heat n bond.  I ironed on the 3 pieces, then added layers of freezer paper stencils in black, white, and peach to add the details.

For the back, I cut two pieces of fabric that together made up the back, but overlapped.  I basted them together before I sewed the back and front together.

I then sewed the front and back pieces together, and then opened up the basting stitch, and turned everything right side out.

Lastly, I ironed everything, and inserted the hanger into the garage.
There you go!

Thank you so much to those who voted, and wish me luck as I begin this adventure. 

UPDATE:  Kim @ Girl and a Glue Gun came up with a fun alternative way to make a car hanger.  See HERE.

Linking up with The Girl Creative, Keeping it Simple, Sumo's Sweet Stuff, and Making the World Cuter,  Delicious Ambiguity and Today's Creative Blog, and The Nifty Nest.

Shared on Someday Craft's All About Boys and Kojo Designs Gifts for Guys.

Featured on Oopsey Daisy, and Somewhat Simple, and The Baby Center Blog.