Backseat Car Organizer

When you have small kids it's kind of hard to keep the inside of your car tidy. Books, toys, wipes.... a lot of stuff all over the back seat, so, I have been looking for a car organizer for quite awhile now, and  I couldn't find something that was simple and functional.

So, I decided to make my own car organizer, and I would like to share with you how I made it.

Lets get started!

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These are the materials that I used:

Two different kind of décor fabric
Interfacing (optional)
Nylon Webbing (for straps)
Two D rings
Elastic

And of course you will need:

Thread
Pins
Safety Pin
Tape Measure
Iron
Scissors or Rotary cutter and rotary mat
Sewing Machine

First, you need to measure the back seat of the car. Mine is 23" x 18" and 7" inches between the head rest.

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Cutting Fabrics:
(I added one inch to the dimensions for seam allowance).

Main body of the caddy - cut two 24" x 19"
Top pocket - cut one 20" x 25"
Bottom pocket - cut one 21" x 27"

Iron on Interfacing - cut one 23.5" x 28.5" (if you have heavy fabric you can skip interfacing, your choice)
For the Elastic - cut one 13" long

For Straps

Nylon Webbing - cut one 36" long, one 4" for the D ring, and one 12" long

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I cut two 24" x 19" for my main fabric.

Then, on one of my main fabric pieces I ironed on my Interfacing where I 'm going to attach my pockets later .(not pictured, and this step is optional)

Then, plan your own organizer caddy. Mine, I like to have two big pockets on top for books, and on the bottom three pockets for wipes and toys.

On the top, I curved the corners using a CD, pen and scissors.

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I started to do the bottom pockets first. Cut 21" x 27". Fold wrong side together length wise and press. 

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For my wipes pocket I liked kind of boxy corners, again this is optional.
 
Measure and mark  the first line 2" away from the raw edge, then, for the second line mark 5" away from the first line.

Fold and pin along these lines. Now it should be folded under at the back of the pocket.

Carefully topstitch a line 1/8" from the folded edge, and also do so on the other line.

This is what it should look like.
It created a crease into the pocket.

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For the pockets for the toys I wanted to have an elastic  on the top.


I marked 1.5" away from the crease of my wipes pocket. That's where I am going to position one end of my elastic.

Then, the other end of the elastic I put a safety pin to make it easy to pull out later.

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Now, position your elastic inside the fabric where it's marked down.

Back stitch at least three times to secure the end of the elastic, sew a straight line carefully, and make sure not sew the elastic and safety pin inside the fabric.

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1. Find the center of the pocket from where the elastic begins to the edge of the fabric and mark it down.

2. Pull the elastic and stretch until you reach the edge of the fabric and pin the center (that you marked down).

3. Position the pockets to the main fabric, pin and stitch straight lines down to create three pockets. 

4. Pin the two edges and the bottom and stitch.

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For my top pockets. Fold the 20" x 25" rectangle piece in half length wise right face, pin and stitch a straight line on the bottom, then, turn it inside out and press.

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I also like these pockets to have boxy corners so I used the method I did for my wipes pocket.

First, topstitch the top.

I like to have two pockets for the books, so, find the center and mark it down.

Measure and mark  the first line 2" away from the raw edge, and do the same thing to the other raw side.
For the middle, mark 1.5" away from the middle line, then do the same on the other side.

Fold, pin and stitch.

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Position the pockets on the main fabric.  Again, pin and sew a straight line down the center. Make sure to backstitch in the beginning and the end.

Pin the edges and bottom, and sew 1/4".

 This is what it should look like now.

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Cut 4" of nylon webbing, fold in half and insert the two D rings.

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I pinned and stitched my 12" strap on the top.

Position the long 36" strap at the bottom, 2" away from the bottom edge. Pin and stitch.

Also, for the short strap with the D ring, position it 2" away from the bottom edge. Pin and stitch.

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Now that all the pockets and straps are attached, get the other main body fabric piece, right face together. Pin the edges and stitch a straight line, but leave at least 6" so you can turn it right side out.

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I snipped the top of my curved corners and snipped the two corners on the bottom. I turned it right side out carefully and gave it a good press. Top stitch the opening and you're done!

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All I have left to do is put my handmade car organizer on the back of the car seat and fill it with stuff for my little fella.

This is so perfect for our road trip this summer!

I am so please with the results, and I plan to make another one.

Thanks for stopping by... and happy sewing!