Art Caddy Tutorial

Hi there! I hope you all enjoyed your weekend! It was our last weekend before school starts! I can't believe it's already that time again.  To celebrate school starting, I thought I would share this fun tutorial with you. 

I made this sweet caddy for my niece for Christmas, and I will definitely be making more for my kids.  It was relatively easy to put together, and I know my kids are going to love them! 

These art caddy's are so portable, they would be great to take for the kids on long car rides!  Or have them take them to church, to help keep them busy and quiet! :)  

With two pockets, a crayon pocket, and pencil holder--this will hold plenty to keep your child busy coloring and drawing. 

I decided to add a little embellishment to the front to just add some more cuteness! You could really add anything here, I think when I make my kids their caddy's I will embroider their names on the front.   The options are endless on changing up the front! 

Alright, let's get started! 

**All fabrics used in this caddy are Summer Breeze by Riley Blake-Purchase HERE

Step 1:  Cut out your pieces. 

• 2 - 10" x 10" squares.  (back panels) 
• 2 - 10" x 10" squares of INTERFACING.  (back panels) 
• 1 - 10" 19" piece (Front panel)
• 1 - 10" 19" piece of INTERFACING (Front panel)
• 1 - 7" x 10" strip (Crayon Pocket)
• 1 - 9" x 10" piece ( small pocket)
• 1 - 11 x 10" piece (large pocket)
• 2 - 12 x 5" strips (straps)
• 1 - 2.5" x 5" piece (pencil holder)

Step 2:  Line your back panels, and front panel with interfacing.  (purchase here)  This will give your caddy some structure, so it's not so flimsy.

Step 3:  Fold all your pocket pieces (crayon pocket, large and small pocket pieces) in half wrong sides together and press so that you have the following pocket sizes: 

• Crayon pocket size - 3.5" x 10"
• Small pocket size -- 4.5" x 10"
• Large pocket size -  5.5 x 10"

Step 4:   Sew a 1/4" top stitch along the folded side of each of your pockets.  This will give it a more finished look.  

Step 5: Sew the Crayon pocket on, by lining up the raw edge of the pocket with the right edge of the bottom layer. You will sew along the right, left and bottom sides.  Leave the top (the finished edge open).  

Sew your large (blue) pocket on first.  Line up the raw edge of the pocket, with the bottom edge of the bottom layer.  You will sew along the right, left and bottom sides.  leave the top (the finished edge open)

Step 6: Sew your smaller pocket on (the stripe). Line up the raw edge of the pocket, with the bottom edge of the bottom layer.  You will sew along the right, left and bottom sides.  leave the top (the finished edge open)

Step 7: Mark your crayon pocket with lines 1" apart, then stitch from the top of the pocket to the bottom of the pocket on each of your marked lines. 

Step 8: Lay out your back panels like this:

Place your pieces right sides together and pin on the right edge and sew a 1/2" seam all the way down.  Once sewn, press your seams OPEN. This will prevent a lot of bulk later.

Step 9:  Take your small pencil holder piece, and fold in all sides 3/8" and press.  Then fold it in half and press again.  So that you have no raw edges. 

Step 10: Sew an 1/8" top stitch around the entire piece and then mark an 1" from either side and then mark the center from the two marks--which ends up being about 3/4".  These will be your sewing lines when you sew it on your panel.

Step 11: Sew your piece so that it is 4" from the bottom edge and 1" from the crayon pocket.  Sew a the right and left sides on and then sew on your marked lines:

Step 12: Making the straps:  Take your strap pieces and fold them in 1" on either side and press:

Fold in half again, so that you have no raw edges, and then sew an 1/8" top stitch on both sides of each strap:

Step 13:  Pin your straps into place on both sides of the back panel.  You will pin them 1 1/2" from the edge. Sew them on with a 1/4" stay stitch.

Step 14: Add your velcro pieces.  1" from the top and bottom edges and 3/4" in from the sides. 

Step 15:  Now you will add your flower to your top panel.  Print off the template -HERE.  Cut out and trace onto fabric (that you have lined with fusible interfacing)  

Step 16: Iron your flower on.  I folded my top panel in half, so that I could figure out where I wanted to put the flower, you can put the flower wherever you'd like.  Then stitch around the the flower with an appliqué stitch, or straight stitch (whatever you prefer)

Step 17: Place your front and back panels right sides together (making sure you tuck your handles in) and pin all the way around.  Sew a 1/2" seam all the way around, leaving a 4" opening so you can turn it right side out.  Once you have sewn all around, clip your corners so that when you turn it right side out you can have crisp corners.

Step 18: Turn right side out and press.  Sew the opening shut, with a top stitch all around the perimeter of the caddy. 

And there you have it! A fun art caddy! 

I hope you enjoyed the tutorial! I am off to make three more of these! :) 

Talk to you soon,