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Free Tutorial - Bed Pocket
A new year and bitter cold temps inspire me to get organized! Today we wanted to share with you a free tutorial for a bed pocket. Is your nightstand piled high with books and magazines? Is your kid constantly searching under the bed for their favorite book or stuffed animal? This is the solution! A bed pocket is a runner that fits under the mattress of a bed with two pockets that hang down from the box spring to hold books, magazines, stuffed animals, remote controls, whatever you need to keep close at hand and can't bare to jump out of that warm cozy bed to grab! It's a quick and easy project that can add fun color to a bedroom while also adding a ton of function. Let's get started!
Please Note: These instructions are for a twin sized bed. Adjustments would need to be made for larger beds.
SUPPLIES:
Option 1: One fabric for entire Bed Pocket (bed runner and front pocket), 45" wide: 2 yards
Option 2: One fabric for entire Bed Pocket (bed runner and front pocket), 58" wide: 1-1/3 yards
Option 3: Two coordinating fabrics for Bed Pocket, any width: 1-1/3 yards Bed Runner, 5/8 yard Front Pocket
Binding: 1/2 yard
ILLUSTRATION GUIDE:
CUT:
(2) 21" wide x 36-1/2" long (Bed Runners)
(2) 21" wide x 10-3/4" long (Front Pockets)
(5) 2-1/2" wide x width of fabric (WOF) (Binding)
Step 1. Prepare the Binding
Gather the 5 strips of binding. Sew 2 strips together to create one long strip. Repeat this step with 2 more strips. These will bind the long sides of the Bed Pocket. The remaining strip will be used for the top of each Front Pocket. Create double fold binding by pressing the strip in half (lengthwise, wrong sides together). Open the strips and press the raw edges in to meet at the center crease. Press. Fold in half again and press. Repeat for all three strips, then set aside.
Step 2. Attaching Front Pocket
Postion one Front Pocket (wrong side up) over one Bed Runner (also wrong side up) matching up the bottom edges. Sew across the bottom edge using a 1/2" seam allowance.
Turn the pocket to the right side of the Bed Runner and press the seam flat.
Step 3. Binding the Front Pocket
Attach the binding to the top edge of the Front Pocket with Wonder Clips or pins and trim excess, leaving the raw edges on the right and left side. Top stitch in place. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 for the second Bed Runner and Front Pocket. Top stitch through the Front Pockets if desired to make dividers.
Step 4. Connecting the Bed Runners
Connect the two Bed Runner pieces using a French Seam. To do this, sew the pieces WRONG SIDES TOGETHER using a 1/4" seam allowance. Trim the seam allowance to 1/8". Fold the pieces so their RIGHT SIDES are touching and press the seam flat. Stitch the two runners again using a 3/8" seam allowance. The first seam you made and trimmed should be fully encased in the second seam. Press the seam to one side and top stitch it in place so it lays flat.
Step 5. Binding the Bed Runner
Fold the raw edges of one short end of binding in 1/2" and press. Attach the binding to one side of the Bed Pocket with Wonder Clips or pins. Stitch in place. Stitching over the Front Pocket section may be bulky. Take your time and stitch slowly through this section. When you are about 4" from the opposite end, stop and measure the binding. Leave enough binding to meet the end, plus 1/2" for turning under. Trim the rest away. Turn the raw edge under 1/2" and press, then finish top stitching the binding in place. Repeat for the opposite long side.
Position under mattress and fill with your favorite books or magazines and enjoy your new found organization!
