How to Sew a Nursery Organiser Pocket Safely
This archive tutorial shows how to sew a six-pocket nursery organiser from fabric. Do not place it, its contents, ties, cords, or toys in a baby's sleep space, and do not attach it to a crib. Use it only as an external organiser on stable furniture outside the child's reach, following current safe-sleep guidance and the crib manufacturer's instructions.
For an older child, the pockets can hold lightweight toys or other small items away from the sleep space.
Materials
- Natural fabric for the base, such as cotton: two pieces, 52 by 57 cm.
- Polyester wadding, 52 by 57 cm.
- Six pocket squares, 22 by 25 cm.
- Two rectangles for the pocket lining, 72 by 22 cm.
- Fabric for binding, 55 by 4 cm.
- Pins for holding the layers together.
Sewing the fabric pockets
Cut the pocket pieces to the stated size. Arrange them in two groups of three, pin the pieces together, stitch, and press the seams open.
Cut two lining pieces and sew each to a three-pocket section. Press the fold line with an iron as appropriate for the fabric.
Layer the wadding, base piece, and lower stitched pocket section with its open edge facing down. As the three-pocket section is wider than the base, mark the base into three equal parts and pin the pocket seams to those marks.
Form pleats at the lower edge of the pocket section and pin it to the layered base. On the outside pockets, make the tucks 1 cm from the side seam. Divide the pockets with two vertical seams.
Cut a strip of plain fabric for the trim, turn the raw edges in, and press.
Mark the position of the upper pocket section 5 cm above the lower one. Pin it as you did the lower pocket, setting it 1 cm from the edge, then pin the prepared binding in place to finish the seam.
Pin the pocket panel and lower part of the base right sides together on all four sides. Stitch, leaving an opening for turning; turn it right side out, press, and topstitch 2 mm from the edge to finish.
Safe placement
Keep the finished organiser outside a child's reach and away from the crib or cot. Do not use ties, cords, or loose fabric near the sleep area. Choose a stable external mounting surface and follow current safe-sleep guidance and the manufacturer's instructions for the furniture involved.
We had something similar in our locker, but it had two large pockets with snap-flap closures. I usually kept spare clothes there for unexpected accidents )) Underpants, socks, a T-shirt, a handkerchief, and tracksuit bottoms were always packed, even though we lived right opposite the daycare 🙃