SEW simple
Make a pair of fabric trays to add a stylish touch to the bedside table, and keep your essentials neat and tidy
If you’re looking for a way to banish clutter in the bedroom, look no further. This simple DIY sewing project uses pretty patterned fabrics to create a pair of trays to sit on the bedside table – the perfect place to safely store earphones, hand cream and jewellery before you turn out the light. You’ll need some basic sewing skills and a sewing machine to make them, plus some cotton fabrics in co-ordinating prints, which you could match to your room décor for a cohesive look.
SHOPPING LIST
50cm cotton fabric in two co-ordinating prints 50cm medium-weight iron-on interfacing 25cm craft interfacing or cardboard Embroidery thread Sewing thread Bulldog clips or paperclips
Scissors Sewing machine Iron and ironing board Pins 1 For the large
tray, cut two squares measuring 30 x 30cm – one from each of your co-ordinating fabrics. For the small tray cut two squares measuring 25 x 25cm – one from each of your co-ordinating fabrics. Cut one square of each size from your medium interfacing.
2 Next, cut the stiffener pieces from your craft interfacing or cardboard. For the large tray, cut a square measuring 20 x 20cm and four side strips measuring 20 x 3cm. For the small tray cut a square measuring 12 x 12cm and four side strips measuring 12 x 3cm.
3 Lay the outer fabric print-side down on the ironing board, then position your stiffening pieces centrally on the fabric square, leaving about 5mm between the base and the side strips, allowing them space when the sides are folded up.
4 Now, lay the
interfacing square on top, with glue facing down, lining it up with the fabric square. Iron the pieces, sandwiching the stiffening between the interfacing and fabric.
5 Let those pieces cool to one side. Lay down the lining fabric square, print-side up, and lay the cooled layer on top so the printed fabrics are right-sides facing. Line up the edges.
6 Pin the layers together and sew around three sides completely, using a 1cm seam allowance, and leaving a wide gap on the fourth side for turning through.
7 Snip the corners,
avoiding the stitching, before turning the whole piece right-side out. Push the corners out for a sharp finish. Iron the edges smooth and fold in the opening before sewing a narrow line of top stitching all around the edge to seal the opening.
8 Pinch the corners
of the square to create the tray sides. Use a clip or a paper clip to hold them while you hand-stitch with matching embroidery thread at the inner edge of the pinched section, to hold the sides of the tray in place. Repeat steps 3-8 to create the second tray.