Getting Organized Sewing a Caddy for the Wii Parts

 There is nothing like having children at home all day to make you want to get organized.  I was getting so tired of finding parts to our Wii all over the house that I finally broke down and sewed a caddy for the parts.   Our couches have too big of arms and no way to keep such a heavy caddy on the arm.  Luckily we have a table and chairs in the living room as well.  I decided to put a caddy on the back of one of our chairs.

Here’s a list of the materials I used

1. Brown upholstery fabric found at an estate sale
2. One upholstery fabric sample from an interior design shop
3. Elastic found at an estate sale
4. Grommets and setter
5. Cotton twisted cording
6. Cotton thread

  I just cut a strip 17″ x 31″ from the brown material.  I then cut my fabric sample into half.  One of the halves I cut into half again, the other I put away for another project. 

I sewed a seam at the top each of the checked pieces for the elastic.  I basted two gathering stitches at the bottom of the fabric.  I threaded the elastic through the top and gathered the bottom.  I pinned the pieces one overlapping the other and sewed the sides onto the brown fabric.  I divided the whole thing in half and sewed down the middle of the piece.  I marked my seam on the back of the brown fabric.  I flattened out the fabric at the seams and held it down with pins on either side of the seam.  Then I sewed a line from the beginning of the checked fabric to the end.  I divided the fabric into quarters and repeated the process on the lower checked pocket.

I folded the brown fabric in half with right sides together leaving a hole for turning.  I turned the fabric right sides out and ironed the seams flat.  I sewed the rest of the seam shut and stitched a 3/8″ seam around the edge of the brown fabric from just inside the top pocket on one side to just inside the top pocket on the other side.

I added 4 rivets, two on each side.  I put grommets in the top corners, folded the fabric over the chair and marked holes for 2 more grommets.  After setting the grommets, I folded the fabric over the chair, threaded some twisted cotton cording through each of the holes on either side and tied them to the chair. 

Most of the materials were scraps.  I didn’t have to run to the store.  I had everything already in my stash.  I didn’t use a pliers rivet setter.  I did mine with a hammer and the less expensive base and setting tool.  I did accidentally hit my finger with a hammer when I was setting the rivets.  I refrained from screaming, but did have furrowed brows and a little black cloud over my head for a while.  My finger will heal.

I doubt the kids will always put the Wii parts back.  At least I’ll have some place to put them (and be able to find them) when I clean up.