Thursday, June 20, 2019

Free Pattern: Hanging Shoe Organizer

Learn how to make a hanging shoe organizer with this free sewing pattern!  Hold all your kiddo's shoes with this fabric DIY shoe holder.

how to make a shoe rack out of cloth


Free Pattern: Hanging Shoe Organizer



With four kids we have a ton of shoes.  This was my shoe organization system before. 

basket full of shoes



Just a basket that the shoes were supposed to be thrown in. The problem was that every time the kids looked for their shoes they would end up throwing them all out as they looked. And we have too many shoes to fit in the basket.

One day when I couldn't shut the closet door, because there were too many shoes in the way, I decided to try something new.  I made an over the door shoe organizer.



Hanging Shoe Organizer - Free Sewing Pattern



I have lots of sewing projects here. Do you need new curtains? Check out my How to Make Curtains post. Enjoy needlework, but don't know how to store all the thread? Make an Embroidery Thread Book  Need a new bedspread, but don't have a lot of time? Make this Easy Striped Quilt. Head to my sewing tab, to see even more sewing project ideas!

How to Make a DIY Hanging Shoe Organizer

This specific pattern is to hold children's shoes. I originally made this in September of 2011. At the time, my oldest kids wore children's size two. We have continued to use it over the years.

Now my youngest daughter is a children's size 4. We still use it for the two younger girls. Things like gym shoes don't fit very well, but we still put flip flops or girls dress shoes in the pockets.

It's also a handy place to keep my headphones and sunglasses that I use each morning on my walk.

DIY Hanging Shoe Organizer


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Materials needed for a DIY over the door shoe organizer

  • 1 piece fabric - 3/4 yard for back
  • 4 pieces fabric - 1/4 yard each.
  • adhesive backed hooks
  • dowel - I used 7/16 because that's what I had
  • sewing machine and sewing supplies
UPDATE: The adhesive backed hooks did not hold very long. What I ended up doing was using two door hooks. They hang on the top of the door and are much sturdier than the adhesive backed hooks. 

Also, using sturdy fabric will make the shoe holder more durable. We've used ours for almost 8 years. It's held up pretty well, but there is one spot where the weight of the shoes has ripped the pocket from the back. I suggest using a duck cloth or canvas for your fabric

fabric for shoe organizer


Cut out your fabric to these sizes:

Back - 27" x 36"
4 strips for pockets - 9" x 36"
4 strips for hooks - 3" x 9"


Steps to Make a Hanging Shoe Organizer

Let's begin with the back. 


Hem under three sides of your back (leaving one 27" side open for now)

Begin with one of the 27" sides. The best way to hem is to fold the edge over 1/4 inch and then iron flat.
hemming edges - fold and press at 1/4 inch




Then fold again 1/4 inch and iron flat again.
folds for hems





Stitch in place. Repeat this process with the two 36" sides.

stitching hems



For the fourth side, which will be the top side, you'll want to make a pocket for your dowel. So you will fold over 1/4 inch and iron, but then you will fold it over at least an inch. Stitch, leaving the ends open for the dowel to slide in.
hemming for dowel



For the hook straps, fold in half lengthwise with right sides together and stitch (left).
Then turn it right side out and iron flat (middle). Then top stitch close to edges. (right). Repeat for all strips.

Note: If using the sturdier door hooks that hang from the top of the door, you will only need to make 2 of these strips.
straps for hooks



Sew the hook straps to the top, along the existing stitching.  I attached the end two straps 1" from each end and then eyeballed the middle two straps.

sew loops to the shoe organizer back

Now it's time to sew the pockets.

 Hem under the long sides of your pocket fabric and fold over and iron 1/4 inch on each short end.

hemming the pockets


Attaching the pockets


I attached the pockets two different ways.  I used pleats for some and I gathered the bottom for others.  I think the gathering was the easiest, so that's what I'll show you.

Using the longest stitch on your machine, sew along the bottom hem line. Sew again 1/8 inch from the first stitches.

Then pull on one of the threads to gather the material.

Place it on your backing and pin in place.  This will require some adjusting to get it to gather evenly. 


gathering the pockets - for fabric pocket organizer

Stitch in place along both sides and bottom.

Next measure every six inches and marked it with a pin along the top and bottom.  Stitch a vertical seam to form the pockets. 

sew a vertical seam to create a pocket for the shoe organizer

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Repeat with other pocket strips.  I measured two inches down for the placement of the top pocket. I did the bottom pocket along the bottom. And I eyeballed the middle two pieces.


Insert your dowel in the top of the shoe rack. Mark it and then cut it to length. Mine ended up being 24". trim dowel and insert it into the shoe organizer



Attach your hooks to the inside of door using your shoe organizer as a guide for correct spacing
(or use the over the door hooks for a sturdier organizer).

Hang your organizer and fill with shoes.

how to make a shoe rack out of cloth

I was able to fit 16 pairs of shoes into the 12 pockets.  Each of my son's tennis shoes needed their own pocket, but most of the shoes I could fit one or more pair to a pocket. It was easy to stick two pairs of my little one's flip flops into one pocket.

Hope this helps you get a little more organized.  It sure helped me.



Free Sewing Pattern for Shoe Organizer

Yield: 1
Author: Rachel
Estimated cost: $25
prep time: 10 Mperform time: 2 hourtotal time: 2 H & 10 M
Learn how to make a hanging shoe organizer with this free sewing pattern! Hold all your kiddo's shoes with this fabric DIY shoe holder.

materials:

  • 1 piece fabric 3/4 yard for back
  • 4 pieces fabric 1/4 yard each.
  • over the door hooks
  • dowel - I used 7/16 

tools:

  • sewing machine and sewing supplies

steps:

  1. Cut your fabric to the following sizes: Back - 27" x 36", 4 strips for pockets - 9" x 36", 2 strips for hooks - 3" x 9"
  2. Hem 3 sides of your back, leaving one of the 27" sides open for now. (Fold over and press 1/4 inch, fold over and press again 1/4 inch. Stitch hem in place.)
  3. For the remaining hem, fold over and press 1/4 inch and then fold over and press 1 inch. Stitch in place. This will leave an opening for the dowel to be inserted.
  4. For the hook straps, fold in half lengthwise with right sides together and stitch. Then turn it right side out and iron flat. Then top stitch close to edges. Repeat for all strips.
  5. Sew the hook straps to the top, along the existing stitching.
  6. Hem under the long sides of your pocket fabric . Fold over and iron 1/4 inch on each short end.
  7. Gather the pocket fabric. Using the longest stitch on your machine, sew along the bottom hem line. Sew again 1/8 inch from the first stitches. Then pull on one of the threads to gather the material. Place it on your backing and pin in place. This will require some adjusting to get it to gather evenly. Sew the pocket to the back along the sides and bottom.
  8. Next measure every six inches and marked it with a pin along the top and bottom. Stitch a vertical seam to form the pockets.
  9. Repeat with other pocket strips. I measured two inches down for the placement of the top pocket. I did the bottom pocket along the bottom. And I eyeballed the middle two pieces.
  10. Insert your dowel in the top of the shoe rack. Mark it and then cut it to length. Mine ended up being 24".
  11. Hang on a door using over the door hooks.
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Created using Craft Card Maker

16 comments :

  1. such a fantastic idea! yours turned out great!!

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  2. This is amazing! Any way we could get adult "measurements"? I have a slight shoe issue...

    Stephanie
    creationsalamode.blogspot.com

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  3. @Coffee Fueled Mama

    For an adult size I would keep it the same width, but add some length. Here's what I figure you would need.
    Back - 1 1/4 yard
    Pocket strips - 1/3 yard for each strip.
    Cut the back to 27" x 45"
    Cut 4 pocket strips to 11 1/2" x 36"
    Follow the same instructions as above.

    I used cotton for mine but I think with the extra weight from adult shoes it might be better to use a canvas or something similar, at least for the back.

    I used one of my shoes to figure the measurements, size 9. It should fit most women's shoes but I don't know about mens.

    *These measurements have not been tested. If you try it, let me know if it works or if you have any suggestions.*

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  4. That is fantastic! I am totally making one (or some) of those.

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  5. I've been wanting to do this with vinyl on the front so then that way its easy to wipe down :)Great job on your project.

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  6. I use shoe holders for my kid crafting supplies but never thought of making it! Genius! I am a new follower from the Sundae Scoop. Vicky @ www.messforless.net

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  7. Great work. I should do this, sometimes my big shoes don't fit in the ones from the store. Thanks for sharing at Bacon Time.

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  8. What a great idea! I use shoe organizers to organize so many things. I never even thought about making one myself. Thanks for sharing. I saw this on I Heart Naptime.

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  9. Great idea! We use the basket idea too (3 baskets since we have 6 kids and four of them are boys with BIG feet!) and I get so tired of all the shoes thrown out from looking for the right pair. This is going onto my (VERY lONG) to do list!

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  10. Great organization! I can see things will get harder as my kids' shoe sizes get bigger! Thanks so much for linking up with The Creative Spark - so happy to have you! Have a great weekend!
    Jenn :)

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  11. this is just awesome. love it.

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  12. Thanks for the lovely tutorial. This project is going to be added to the list of projects being made tomorrow.

    By: Christmas Gift Baskets

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  13. Ooh love it, I have been meaning to make one thanks for the tutorial

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  14. Super tutorial....i was looking for this from long time..Thank u...

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  15. Looks great! Thanks for sharing!
    Cottage Blessings,
    Rebecca

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  16. Rachel,
    Thank you, thank you for the tutorial. I have been looking for over the door shoe organizers for my flip flops. But here in So. Cali it seems that everyone else has the same idea to get organized and some kids are going off to college. I am so happy I don't have to buy a plastic one, and that these are washable. A big plus! Ever so grateful. Can't wait to check out your other tutorials. Mahalo for the print out! Cindy

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