Sew-vivor Challenge 2: Seat Back Entertainment Organizer – Coloring Folio Tutorial

This project was created as an entry for the button challenge of the Sew-vivor sewing competition hosted by Family Ever After.
Button - Seat Back Entertainment Organizer Title

Buttons as a challenge had me stumped until inspiration struck from out of nowhere and this seat back entertainment organizer was born.  Once I had it in my head I knew I had to make it – even if I hadn’t been lucky enough to make it through to round two here on Sew-vivor.  

 

Button - Seat Back Entertainment Organizer Inside
It all started with the phone holster.  We download television and movies onto our smart phones for Arden to watch when we travel.  The only problem is having to restart the show time after time because she accidentally touches the screen when she holds it.  This holster is made with clear vinyl across the front which even conducts so you can use the screen through it.  Then a drink holder which could collect little odds and ends as well, and a tissue holder made just the right size for those pocket packs so I don’t have to search around while I’m driving.  The little pouch with a welt zipper holds her sunglasses and has room for other small items.
Button - Coloring Folio Collage
Lastly the coloring folio with places for a small notebook, crayons and a sticker pocket since both my girls love to color.  I’m sharing a tutorial for the coloring folio so you can make one for the little artist in your life.
 
Coloring Folio Tutorial
Supplies:
Coordinating fabrics – the floral is home decor weight and the rest are quilting cottons
Interfacing – I used Pellon Craft-Fuse 808
Cotton webbing
Button
Coordinating thread
Sewn with 3/8″ seam allowances except where noted.
Buttons - Coloring Folio 1 Cuts
Cut fabrics and interfacing.  My book was 5″ x 7″ spiral bound note cards so all cuts are based off that.  Adjust for different dimensions as needed.
Main folio pieces – 2 fabric cut 7 1/2″ x 11 1/2″, 1 interfacing cut 6 3/4″ x 10 3/4″
Notebook and sticker pockets – 2 fabric cut 9″ x 7 1/2″, 2 interfacing cut 4 1/8″ x 6 3/4″
Crayon slots – 1 fabric cut 7″ x 7 1/2″ (this would be better a little wider, maybe 7″ x 8 1/2″)
Button tab – 2 fabric cut 1 3/4″ x 4″ with one end of each rounded slightly, interfacing cut 1″ x 3 1/4″
Handles – 2 pieces cotton webbing cut 8 1/2″ long
Fuse interfacing to one wrong side of the main folio pieces, to wrong side of one half of each of the pocket pieces and to the wrong side of one of the button tab pieces.
Buttons - Coloring Folio 2 Crayon Pockets
Sew crayon slots.  Align the raw edges of the crayon slot piece and the sticker pocket pieces.  Each piece is folded in half and pressed with wrong sides together (WST).  Mark intervals 1″ apart using a water soluble pen or other marking tool.  This is where it would be better for the crayon slot fabric to be slightly wider.  It would lie more nicely if a small pinch of fabric were taken in between each line of stitching to allow room for the crayon to slide in.  Stitch close to the folded edge of the notebook and sticker pockets for a finished look (not pictured).
Buttons - Coloring Folio 3 Button Tab
Make button tab.  With right sides together (RST) sew around three sides of the button tab pieces.  The interfacing will be facing outward.  Trim seam allowances, notch curves and turn.  Press and topstitch a scant 1/8″ from the edge.  Hadley volunteered to be my hand model for today’s tutorial.
Buttons - Coloring Folio Photo Bomber
Gratuitous shot of Hadley doing what she was supposed to be doing while Mommy took a couple of pictures.  Instead she kept “helping” by photo bombing the step by step pictures I was taking – just a typical day around our house!
Buttons - Coloring Folio 4 Baste
Baste all the pieces in place onto the interior folio piece.  Handles and button tab are placed facing into the folio.  I chose to sew the button onto the exterior after it was constructed to be sure of the placement, but it would be easier to sew on at this stage.
Buttons - Coloring Folio 5 Sandwich
With RST and the interfacing to the outside, pin in place and sew around all four sides leaving about 4″ open for turning.  Clip corners and turn.  Press and topstitch.  I sewed a couple of lines across the center of the folio to simulate a book’s binding.
Button - Coloring Folio Outside AJL
Sew a buttonhole on the tab and stitch a button onto the exterior front of the folio.  You could also use snaps or hook and loop tape, but since this was the button challenge I thought it more fitting to use a button for the closure.  Sew buttonholes into the straps if you’re using a similar method of attaching the folio to an organizer.
Button - Coloring Folio Inside AJL
Fill with notebook, crayons, and stickers and enjoy watching your tiny artist at work!

This project has been featured on:

    As seen on CraftGossip.com

I’ll be linking to many of these great parties:

Mondays Making the World Cuter Monday – Making the World Cuter Made By You Monday – Skip to My Lou Craftastic Monday – Sew Can Do FUNday Mondays – C.R.A.F.T. et al. Market Yourself Monday – Sumo’s Sweet Stuff Creative Me Monday – The Southern Institute Tuesdays I Made It Without My Hubby – Shanty 2 Chic Sew Cute Tuesdays – Better Off Thread Take a Look Tuesdays – Sugar Bee Craft Edition Shwin&Shwin Nap Time Creations How To Tuesday – Housewife How To’s Wednesdays We Did It Wednesdays – Sew Much Ado Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice – Seven Thirty Three Show & Tell – Blue Cricket Design Show Me What Ya Got – Not Just a Housewife Your Whims Wednesdays – My Girlish Whims Thursdays Strut-Your-Stuff – Somewhat Simple Make It, Wear It – The Train to Crazy It’s Stinkin’ Cute – Sew Stinkin’ Cute Show Off Your Stuff – Fireflies and Jellybeans Making It With Allie – What Allie’s Making Now Pinspirational Thursdays – The ArtsyGirl Connection All Things Thursday – All Things With Purpose Fridays Furniture Feature Friday – Miss Mustard Seed Weekend Wrap Up Party – Tatertots and Jello Feature Yourself Friday – Fingerprints on the Fridge Friday Fun Finds – KojoDesigns Weekends Check Me Out Saturday – A Vision to Remember Show and Tell Saturday – Be Different Act Normal Sunday Scoop – I Heart Naptime Sunday Showcase Party – Under the Table and Dreaming A Pinteresting Party – Tutus & Tea Parties Sunday Roundup – A Rosie Sweet Home Just Something I Whipped Up – Project Inspire

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39 Responses to Sew-vivor Challenge 2: Seat Back Entertainment Organizer – Coloring Folio Tutorial

  1. Catlin April 3, 2013 at 1:14 PM #

    This is so clever! What a great idea! Good luck to you! 🙂

  2. Charity April 3, 2013 at 4:27 PM #

    The phone holster is genius! My daughter always wants to hold the phone and is always hanging up on people. And I love how all the parts come off if you want to take anything on the go. Great idea!

  3. Chrissy Cain April 3, 2013 at 5:39 PM #

    VOTED! This is so adorable! I love the tissue and phone holder. My co-workers want me to make one for them now! Thanks so much for sharing.

  4. Virginia Celoria April 3, 2013 at 6:02 PM #

    Super cute and smart. I’m adding it to my list of gifts to make friends with kids. Good luck!

  5. Andrea Reed April 7, 2013 at 4:31 PM #

    Wow, you are very talented and creative! And you picked the cutest fabric combos too! Stopping by from I Heart Nap Time. Thanks for sharing:)

    RamblingReed.blogspot.com

  6. Marti @ Sew-Licious Home Decor April 9, 2013 at 12:02 PM #

    How creative and so very useful! I would love for you to link up at SHOW-licious Craft Showcase.

    Just follow the link…..http://sew-licious.blogspot.com/2013/04/show-licious-craft-showcase-26.html.

    Marti

  7. Elise@growcreative April 10, 2013 at 2:08 AM #

    This is awesome! I’m pinning!

  8. Katie April 10, 2013 at 5:27 PM #

    LOVE this! I am going to be making two for my kids for our trip to Myrtle Beach this summer!

  9. La Tita Sonia April 11, 2013 at 7:27 PM #

    Que original!!! Me encanta!!!

  10. Miranda @ Someday Crafts April 17, 2013 at 3:46 AM #

    This is AMAZING! I love the buttons and the changeability, plus the fabric you used is so cute! We’ll be featuring this tomorrow at Someday Crafts. If you have a minute, we’d love it if you stopped by!!

  11. Sarah April 19, 2013 at 8:58 PM #

    Just amazed!!! I need one!!! You should sell these!! Featured you here:

    http://lifewithleahy.blogspot.com/2013/04/five-fabulous-friday-finds_19.html

  12. Leanne May 18, 2013 at 4:10 AM #

    Seriously, bravo. This is genius!

  13. Stephanie May 22, 2013 at 12:35 AM #

    Hi. Seen this on Pinterest from CraftGossip and followed it here. Is it alright to pin this?

  14. ledenika October 26, 2013 at 9:20 AM #

    This is so great! The best seat back Organizer from all that I’ve ever seen!

  15. ledenika October 26, 2013 at 9:21 AM #

    This is so great! The best seat back Organizer from all that I’ve ever seen!

  16. A Simple Genius February 5, 2014 at 3:28 PM #

    I made this exactly as instructed and it was about half an inch (or more) too narrow for a 5×7 notebook. I thought it would be from the measurements but I like to stick to the instructions first before trying my own alterations. I will make one about 1 inch wider than the instructions say and see how it turns out.

    • Jenn AJennuineLife February 5, 2014 at 10:19 PM #

      Hmm… If you used the 3/8 seam allowance given, then the only thing I can think of is that my 5×7 note card book might not be a standard size? I used one I had around the house and was probably older.

    • nessers notions March 12, 2014 at 10:06 PM #

      I’d really like the instructions on how you made the iphone holster!

  17. Jennifer August 25, 2016 at 11:05 PM #

    These are not for sale, this was a project I made specifically to fit my car’s seat.

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