Sew an Organizer for Your Sewing Machine Needles
By Emily Jansson, Nancy’s Notions guest blogger
This sewing machine needle organizer whips up in an afternoon, and boasts 32 slots for your needle packs. The clear vinyl allows you to see your whole inventory at a glance. The elastic closure lets you pack it up neatly to store out of sight or pack for class. Hope you like it!
Supplies
- 1/3 yd. Peltex 2-Sided Fusible Interfacing
- Outer fabric: scrap measuring at least 10″ x 15-1/2″
- Lining fabric: scrap measuring at least 10″ x 15-1/2″
- 1/8 yd. Clear Vinyl
- 1 pack Fuse’n Bind Fusible Binding Tape
- 10″ Elastic 1″ wide or less (We used a decorative 1″ wide elastic.)
- 6″ x 24″ Ruler
- Marking pen
- Rotary cutter and mat
- Iron and ironing surface
- Teflon sheet (or parchment paper)
- Pins
- Wonder Clips
- Teflon Foot
- Sewing machine, etc.
Instructions
Begin by cutting the following:
- Peltex 2-sided fusible interfacing: 10″ x 15-1/2″
- Outer fabric: 10″ x 15-1/2″
- Lining fabric: 10″ x 15-1/2″
- Clear vinyl: 4 strips, cut at 1-1/2″ x 15-1/2″
- Elastic: 10″
- Approximately 54″ of 2″ wide strip for binding (You may need to piece for length.)
Use a Teflon sheet or parchment paper to protect your ironing surface. Lay the lining fabric right-side-up on the Peltex 2-sided fusible interfacing. Fuse.
Mark the lining side as shown:
- Attach the Teflon Foot and set your stitch length to a longer stitch—around a 3–4.
- Lay the clear vinyl strips in marked areas and secure with Wonder Clips at the ends. Stitch a scant 1/8″ along the bottom of each strip to secure.
- Stitch the divider rows that run perpendicular to the strips, as marked, but do not stitch the foldlines. It’s best to sew these rows from bottom to top of the organizer, so that the vinyl lies as flat as possible.
- Fuse the remaining outer fabric to the other side of your divider. At this point, you may need to remark the foldlines on the inside if they’ve disappeared while you’re fusing.
- Stitch the marked foldlines through all layers.
- Place the elastic on the outer back of the divider 1-1/2″ from edge and stitch at both ends to secure.
- Mark 1/2″ in from the left side of each corner with a pin, as shown.
- Center the fusible (rough) side of Fuse ’n Bind to wrong side of the binding strip (10 seconds without steam).
- Fold one short end toward the inside and press to make a crisp, finished end.
- With the folded end on your left, fold the lower long edge of the binding up to the inside, along the Fuse ’n Bind Fusible, and press.
- Align the unpressed long side of binding to the lower right edge of the inside of your divider, and secure with Wonder Clips. Starting about 1″ from the short side of your binding, stitch 1/2″ from the edge until you’ve reached the first of your marking pins. Backstitch to secure.
- Fold the binding up at a 45-degree angle, aligning the cut edges of the binding with the cut edge of the divider.
- Now, fold the binding back on itself, matching the binding fold to the bottom edge of the divider, where you just finished stitching. The raw edge of the binding should align with the side of the divider.
- Begin stitching again, stitching a 1/2″ seam all the way to the next corner’s marking pin. Backstitch, and repeat that folding technique at each corner.
- When you’ve reached your starting point, tuck the end of your binding into the beginning, trim any excess fabric, and finish the remaining seam.
- Press the binding up, flip over to the front of the divider, and clip. At each corner, make the same mitered fold on the outer side (I like to use Nancy’s suggestion and pin this part.).
- Stitch the binding down, a scant 1/8″ from the open edge.
That’s all there is to it! Arrange your sewing machine needle cases in this handy organizer, and simply fold the elastic over the front cover to secure when not in use.
Thanks to Emily Jansson and the Nancy’s Notions Team for sharing this tutorial!
Now is your chance to win a package of Klasse Sewing Machine Needles. Simply leave a comment below sharing which sewing notions are in need of a dream storage solution in your sewing room.
Bye for now,
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Sheri Austin
My thread and needles need a home. They are in bags
judy
Everything!! I have so much of so many things that I’ve tried to organize but just can’t seem to get them all together. I need big help with trims, buttons, and thread.
Cindy
I am going to make this! Thanks for the idea and for sharing the pattern!
Elizabeth
Patterns need a storage solution. I fold them to fit into 1 gallon zip lock bags after they’re used, then into a couple of the shallower, underbed storage bins, or with the fabric I plan to use it with in bigger bins. Finding a specific pattern is not easy, when I want to reuse it or check the fabric requirements.
Sandra Paisley
Stabilizers and interfacing. The large pieces or bolts do not present the problem, it’s the smaller “scraps” that I save for smaller projects. Right now they are just in a drawer with a note pinned to them (if I’ve remembered to do it! Thanks. Sandy Paisley
Brenda Kane
Hi, this is a great project. My biggest storage dilemma is interfacings. I want to figure out a way to easily identify and retrieve the interfacing I need for my project. Thanks Brenda
Linda
I bought some sewing machine needles. The clerk place them in a plastic bag. When I go home I put all my needles in that bag. I have taken plastic bags to the grocery store for recycle with items in them. A plastic bag is a great way to lose things. Love the organizer. This would be a great gift to make for myself and my sewing friends.
Max
I would like to have all the sewing machine pressure feet neat and tidy in one special bag.
Cyndi
I keep pieces of stabilizer and batting. We can often use a smaller piece we’ve cut from a previous project! Keeping smaller pieces organized and contained is a dilemma!
Thank you for the give away!
JoAnn
This is a great organizer. It could also be used to store machine feet. I store my stabilizers in waste paper bins each labeled for the different types. I store my hoops on an over the door towel hook device. (5 hooks).
Vivian Fitzpatrick
What a nice, neat organizer! Pretty, too! I’ll have to make this, for sure! Thank you for sharing.
Pam Kosirog
I think it would have to be my thread! It seems I have it everywhere!
Yvonne Mosley
Stabilizers and interfacing are a problem. …rolls and smaller pieces. Sometimes the “product number” and manufacturers names get separated from the product. Ugh!
Ann C
Scissors! I have so many different types of scissors for the many different sewing projects and crafts I do. I can never seem the find the right ones when I need them, so some sort of organizer would be a tremendous help..
Janice Henson
I would love something like this with smaller taller pockets for my sewing tools like: seam ripper, quilting tools, small scissors for embroidery, etc. all in one place. Longer and shorter to fit behind my machines on the wall. Easy to get to.
Marie
I keep my embroidery stabilizers in the clear plastic bags my newspaper is delivered in. It’s long and narrow, and a tube of stabilizer fits nicely in one. I write on the bag with Sharpy to identify, besides writing the kind it is on a piece of paper to slip inside the roll. Thanks for the organizer pattern.
Lynda Treen
I think my sewing machine feet could use a new home. I have some in the holder that came with my machine but I still have extras including my even feed foot and ruffler. Guess I just have to keep them in their boxes. I LOVE this needle organizer though. Definitely on my to do list especially for gifts.
Carol
I love this organizer. I have a problem with keeping track of my interfacing and stabilizers so something to help organize those would be a plus!
Brenda Sturgeon
Thread, thread and more thread! So many weights, colors, spool sizes, name brands, etc… It’s hard to coral them all to be able to find at a moments notice. An organizer of some sort would be wonderful!
Pat C
My sewing supplies need a little organization. I have found some suggestions on Pinterest. This project will help with one part of this problem.
Florence Dupuis
I think my needles are what needs organizing. If I ever get caught up on the promised quilts, I will make one of these.
Carol Carlton
I need this organizer for all of my needles. They are all in one place but if I had them in this, I could find what I was looking for. Thanks for your years of teaching. I have appreciated it and will miss you.
Klaziena
Dear Nancy.. I want to thank you for all your
classes, tips etc etc on you tube and Facebook
page! I have learned só much!!
One of the things I’ve from you is to work on a clear table/room. I try very hard, but my lace is a problem!! How can I store that best??
Brenda O
First would be my thread and bobbins. They are in several containers and sewing baskets strewn all over. Secondly, I really need to get my sewing books and magazines housed together so that I could easily find them when I would like to do something that I remembered reading about. Thank you for the great organizer for my needles!
Helen O
Always looking for a better way to organize and store thread spools and bobbins.
Jeanette
Buttons! Buttons! I got Buttons….everywhere. Cards, loose, strung together in boxes, cases, jars…..then also my quilter’s rulers, fat quarters,…… My sewing room could use a good overhaul.
Susan
This is also a great idea for traveling.
Marilyn
Good morning!
I would love to have a small binder for all of my pens, pencils, markers, etc. Right now they are in a pencil box and it is a mess! I made the needle keeper a while back and it is so nice to see all of my sizes with a quick glance!
Alva
I want a way to sort my feet. Now they are in a divided plastic box, but an even better solution would be great!
Dorothy
Love this idea. Will make when get to return to my condo here in FL. Making one for small sewing “tools and gadgets” would be nice also. Thanks for sharing idea.
Nancy Brady
I need a way to organize my free motion quilting rulers.
Rose Pullen
Thanks for your blog. I have learned so much about needles and their different sizes for different uses.
Therese Bocchino
Great project. I’m thinking of all the notions that are unorganized & stuffed in a ‘too small’ draw, like stabilizers (all the different kinds & types. And I need to figure out a more efficient way to store/organize my elastics.
Thanks so much
Marilyn D.
I made this a while ago. It is the best thing. All my needles are in one place, very easy to find what needle your looking for Just at a glance. It got my needles out of the drawer piled on top of each other and in their own space. Make one. You’ll love it!
Linda B
What an amazing idea. I have all my needles in a small storage box, and then sorted in sandwich bags. But when I need one, I have to dig. This idea puts everything out in front and easy to locate what you need.
Fantastic.
Pat
This needle case is great.
I need a way to store my specialty presser feet that allows me to keep the original packages since they frequently have important information or instructions on them.
Thanks for all the good ideas.
Bernice M.
The sewing notions that are in need of a dream storage solution in my sewing room are my scissors, rotary cutters, thread, serger thread cones, patterns, fabric, instructions for templates, and sewing needles; however, you may have solved my sewing needle solution with the Machine Needle Organizer. Thanks can’t wait to make.
Thanks for the Klasse Sewing Machine Needle Giveaway.
Prayers for all those affected by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Harvey.
Nancy
I need to organize my thread. I need some that shows me the color, but keeps in covered, free from light and dust.
Pat S.
A way to store all of my rulers from a 2 1/2 inch square to a 20 inch square. I have a small sewing area.
Thank you.
Susan Spiers
This organizer for sewing machine needles is something I don’t have- this is perfect! Thank you for sharing, Susan
KayZee
As someone else mentioned, I’d like a way to store specialty presser feet along with the instructions. Thanks.
Becky Canuteson
Great idea – I will be making a needle holder. I need a portable way to take the quilting essential to group meetings.
Jackie Weil
I really like this needle organizer. But what I really need is an over the door organizer for just about everything. I Have a very small sewing area and need to store things vertically. I’ve tried the shoe organizers and they just don’t have the variations in pocket sizes (depth or width.)
Beth B
Nice needle organizer! I really need a way to organize interfacing and stabilizers.
Karin McElvein
This something I am going to make.Love it
Kim Corliss
I will make one of these to take to classes. I’ve been looking for a good pattern. Thank you! I would like to see a way to better organize closures – snaps, buttons, zips, Velcro, etc.
Sunni
Like many others I’d like a compact, convent way for storing pieces of interfacing and stabilizers. It would have to be easy to label and accommodate all the various types without scrunching and mixing them.
Tana McNac
A place to store all my extra specialty feet for my machine, and a place to show what each foot is for. Would be great to be able to place all in a binder for easy access.
Terry
Thank you for this tutorial. I have been rummaging through machine needles forever – this will make it simpler to get to what I need and see if I need to purchase any other sizes. The other items I need to organize are my miscellaneous sewing gadgets.
Marsha Lawrence
Every single thing in my sewing room needs and organizing solution. But none so much as my fabric. My fabric stash is a mess of epic proportions.
Judith Huber
I really like this, I enjoy all the projects! Thank you!
Wilma Sweetheart
I have learned so much watch Nancy’s shows and now on her web page.
I was taught how to see when I was very young by my Grandmother. Of course when she learned to sew their were no patterns. Yes it was hard, but what was more confusing when I took homec in school and the sewing with patterns was every confusing. So to you Nancy thank you for your shows, books, and web.
Eva Osmun
Great idea for my wild needles!
jenny boettcher
How to store machine sewing feet………..in a attractive way.
beth d.
I need this organizer for needles and other notions in my sewing room.
HM
This is a great needle organizer! All the needles are in the same place.
Leslie
So many great requests for storage. I, too, would like a good way to store my machine feet. Also, a system for storing patterns would be wonderful.
Thank you, Nancy, for all of your years of sharing so much information with your fans. You are in our hearts and prayers at this difficult time.
Pam Wolfe
stabilizers! thanks
Susan
I am accumulating a collection of thumb drives with embroidery design, quilt designs etc. and this pattern can be altered to store them in one place I think.
Good idea!!
Susan
Carol Netzler
I was just putting away my new purchase of needles from the expo and was thinking there must be a better way to store them. Here’s the answer. Thank you.
Linda Nelson
My whole sewing room is in need of a makeover…mostly hand sewing needles!
Brenda Rithmire
Fantastic needle organizer. Like many of the others, stabilizers and interfacings are a storage problem.
Vicky Hawkinson
This project really caught my attention as yesterday I was digging through a box of needles! This holder will make it so much easier to find the needle I’m looking for! Thank you for sharing this project!
Charlotte Brown
EVERYTHING!!!!! I have to go searching every time I need something. lol
Erma
This project will be perfect for me. I am ALWAYS searching thru my stash of needles to find what I need.
Noreen
I need interfacings and elastic, as well as sewing machine needles. Also, I’m going to have to get a new sewing machine as I have not been able to find my Bernina since I moved. I won’t be able to get another Bernina, however.
Juanita Decquir
I used a multitude of containers to store notions. I would like to find something that would hold every object on a rotating surface.
Gayle
Interfacings with their plastic instructions. They are always a problem keeping them together.
Wanda
Storage for scissors, cutting wheels, cutting mats, etc! No real sewing area, my sewing stuff is here, there, and everywhere!
Kay Huchteman
I’m going to make this needle organizer. I need it today! I need ideas for storing patterns more efficiently. I do have pattern storage boxes, labeled for dresses, tops, skirts, pants, etc. But when I go in search of a certain pattern I still have to look at everything in the box. I haven’t come up with a better idea, so I’m counting on a little help from Nancy and other sewing friends.
Susan
My limited supply of needles as of this moment are in a clear plastic bag – I would love these!!
Thanks -Susan
Kar
Love this for needle storage. Going to make some for Xmas gifts! Always looking for better storage sokutions. Need an attractive way to store interfacing materials so they don’t get wrinkled, bent and crushed. I try to get them by the bolt if I need a large amount, but it’s not very pretty looking in my sewing room.
Mary Batty-Jasper
This is a great idea. Presently I’m using baseball card sheets and posting them to my bulletin board in my sewing room.
mary johnson
this looks like a great idea. I need to get a rack to store all my rulers and scissors on to make my room better organized
Kathy Hartwell
Wonderful idea. I need a way to store those pesky needles, they go to the bottom of the drawer I have them in. I need a way to put away my fabric stash. It is currently in clear plastic totes. But scattered all over the place.
Thank you Nancy for all you have done to teach us your secrets of sewing over the years. God bless you and I will keep you in my prayers during this different time.
LOIS ANDERSEN
I am in the middle of organizing all my sewing supplies. I will make this to end the muddle of needles that is now.
My heart and thoughts are with you and your family. Thanks for all the inspiration you have brought to all of us.
Lois
Linda Janovitz
This is SO GREAT !! No more hunting for my needles and this would make a wonderful gift for sewing friends !!
Becky Kendrick
I really needed a way to store needles and this is the answer to my problem! Can’t wait to get started!
Marty
My storage issue is putting pattern and fabrics I’m reserving for it together until I’m ready to see the projects. Sometimes I have yardage for tge back, multiple precuts, fat quarters, jelly rolls; nothing is similar size. I’ve started pulling these into labeled boxes, but the stack looks awful until I have time to cut and see.
Teckla
What a great idea! Added to my winter To Do list as they are currently just scrambled in a drawer.
Someone else mentioned organizing interfacing and I really need to do that as well! They are currently stuffed into a drawer or piled willy nilly on top of a cabinet in the closet. Not good at all!
Thank you for all the years you have dedicated to the sewing industry. You have been my inspiration so many times through the years since the early 80’s. I have many of your books and have learned so much!
Julie Kill
THANK YOU! My needles are a mess! This will be very helpful in keeping them inventoried and in a place I can find them.
Actually my whole Sewing room is a mess! I need storage ideas for alot of items. ( rulers, fabric, machines, thread, crafting supplies, paints, ribbon, floss, etc. Its a multi-purpose room)
May God Bless you and Keep you! Prayers for you and your family are on their way.
Judith
help!
interfacings are toppling on me!
and coordinating fabrics that need to keep precuts and yardage together!
love you, Nancy. prayers
DebbieW
My rulers need a place to nest. At present, they are laying on my small cutting ‘card table’ and need to be moved…onto my bed…when I’m cutting fabric.
Sandy
Hi, I would love a convenient way to store my presser feet along with the identification and directions for each one.
Gail Beam
Ummm, lets see. My scissors (many) my embroidery hoops (many) my sewing machine feet (many) all kinds of notions buttons , small tools, trim, stabilizers. The list could go on and on! But, I guess my major organizer that I need is for my hoops.
Chris Hurt
I love th needle,holder and plan to make one as my needles really need a place to store them. I have rules in several places and need a better way to organize them.
Kristy Walker
I want a “She Shed” with A/C and heat OR a room expansion. I’m using two different rooms for my four machines. My long arm is in the guest room and I can only set it up for 5 ft. for now. I would love to have my entire sewing goodies in one room. So when I need to increase my long arm to 10 ft. we won’t have to move it to the living room.
Bridget
Believe it or not, I need some type of storage for my sewing machine feet.
Sandi
Love this idea for needles! Thank you for all you share with us!
Pat B
I would like to have a better way to organize my rulers.
lois willingham
what a thing to add to the Christmas packages with needles included. got several sewers in the family from myself(72) to my great granddaughter (7) whos got her own sewing machine.
PamB
Love the needle case! Mine most likely has been mentioned before: interfacing and machine feet. Thanks!
Łinda Rupe
I need storage a solution for my various tube turners and bodkins.
Clovis
Good idea. My needles are just in my drawer. Have to look all through it to find a certain needle. Some are in the back of the drawer. My ruler are laying against the wall.
Shirley Clark
What notion is not in need of a dream storage solution!! I’m constantly looking for ideas, and I do use a lot I find on Pinterest, but one of the best things I’ve done is to buy a rolling cart for my cordless iron! I sat the base in the top shelf, and I can roll it to where I’m ironing. When I’m done, it’s back in the corner!
Elizabeth Harris
I need to store rotary cutters and replacement blades
Cindy
I need a way to hang my large hoops, they take up so much room just setting on my sewing table.
Jade
I store my thread in ziploc bags in a drawer and dig through it constantly to find the right thread. I could also use something to store, stack or hang up all my rulers.
Mary Deeter
Marking tools for specific purposes, stabilizer for embroidery, interfacing for sewing! This is an interesting project for the needles.
JoniP
This is a great idea. It would also be great to leave a little note in the needle case indicating which needle is in which machine!. Would take the guess work out of trying to read the little letters or numbers on the needle.
Carol in Arkansas
I need some organization for my scissors. I have several types and a number of them and absolutely no organization at all. They are either laying around or stuffed in a drawer somewhere.
Denise Wichman
A simleborganizer for my cutting tools and fabric marking pencils. I’m generally using hoth together and that would be nice to have. Thanks for all the tips and skill builders you post.
Beverley Hancox
Some needles don’t get used very often (ie jeans needles). I have a small “tomato” with the sections marked off by needle size. If I just use a needle to hem a pair of jeans, I put it back into the “jeans” section to reuse next time. I put a pin in the tomato to remind myself what size I currently have in the sewing machine.
Kathy Hawk Van Eykeren
A perfect gift for my best friend. However, the first on I make is for me!
zoraida
I love that idea but I can see how you but the bias tape so easy thank you for send in that I do not know if a small can do has well when you travel let me know. By for now.
Cathy
Needle storage idea is a good one. This project could also be helpful to store USB thumb drives.
Karen
A great idea, but 32 packs??? Seems like a lot of packs, I would like to make a smaller version, like maybe for 12. I like to sew but having that many of one kind of sewing notion just means more to store and organize, stay free from clutter my friends!
Esther
Would love a room to begin with…sewing fabric organization so I can see what I own more easily. Sewing feet as well. This organizer is very interesting…didn’t realize there were so many types of needles as own a simple old machine.
Jacquelyn
Great! Something for me to make to help me contain my messy craftsroom. Gets me closer to being able to find what I need when I want it.Thanks Nancy !
Carol
Buttons. I have them in jars and dishes and small boxes. I always have to hunt to find the right button for mending. No organization!
Barbara Stewart
I would love to have a storage solution for my thread. I have embroidery, quilting, polyester, decorative, and cotton thread. I need to be able to see them and have them nearby.
Sherie Black
Great project . This will help me alot. Thank you. Any organizing tips for notions would be helpful – buttons, zippers, threads, embellishments.
Thank you, Nancy for all your inspiration. Prayers to you.
Debbie Rhodes
Can’t wait to try this thanks for the pattern
Debbie Rhodes
Can’t wait to try this thanks
Deb Johnson
I would like a way to store my stableizers and fusibles. I love your ideas.
debbie w
i have a glass canning jar that I keep all of my marking pencils, serger threaders, serger cleaning brushes, bias tape makers, … just all the longer odds and ends. I have another jar that I keep smaller odds and ends like bias tape makers, the attachment to roll over thick jeans seams, 1/4″ gauge, etc. I have to dump these jars any time I want to find anything… organizers for these would save time and look SEW much better too!
patti
Perfect! I’ll be making it soon to help me stay organized through fall and holiday projects. Thank you!!
patti
Need ‘feet’ organized as well as too many other things. All organizational tips considered. By the time I’m done with a project, the sewing room is usually a shamble.
Sally
Unfortunately, the Klasse needle cases don’t easily fit in the 1.75 inch slots. I had to go to 2 inches. I thought this needle holder was a great idea. It would be nice to have a method for storing patterns, templates and batting.
Karen Tucker
There isn’t anything in my condo that doesn’t need organizing. I moved my sewing area from my enclosed porch to the dining room – that made a big difference in my outlook on sewing especially since sewing is more important than dinner. I don’t think I realized how many needles you can have until I saw this project! It is high on my “to do,”