Got too many TV/stereo remotes? You might need a remote control holder. Got a baby that likes to throw remotes across the room? You definitely need this remote control holder DIY!
If you’d like to sew your own remote control holder, then follow along.
For this remote control holder DIY you’ll need a yard of pretty fabric. I used a yard of Echino’s High on a Perch Border in turquoise, designed by Etsuko Furuya.
You can find a bunch of modern and bright Etsuko Furuya fabrics on Amazon* and also on Etsy*. They give a fun pop of colour to any room.
This fabric is home decorator weight, so it has a light canvas-like feel to it. Tougher and stiffer than normal cotton, perfect for this purpose.
Then I grabbed something for the backing. I chose a cheap IKEA pillow case because this organiser is for me and I couldn’t care less what the back looks like. If you’re making this as a gift you’ll probably want to give it a little more thought.
But before you turn, trim down your seams a little to reduce bulk (or if you were too lazy to trim down your backing piece before joining, like me, do that now).
Then turn it out the right way and give your seams a press.
Once your batting is in place, you need to sew through all the layers to ensure it will stay in place (ie. quilting). This is also a good time to sew closed the bottom edge of the envelope. I turned those bottom edges in, pinned, and then pinned my layers together across the whole piece (the pins are a little hard to see, below).
This was when I realised I had no light blue machine thread in my collection. The only matching thread I had was for hand quilting, so two of my lines had to be done by hand.
With the remote holder body complete, I cut off the bottom turquoise part of my other piece of fabric. I wanted my pouches to blend in with, not distract from, the beautiful fabric.
Hem the piece you are using for the pouches. I cut a small diagonal from each corner so that they wouldn’t be too thick with folds.
I didn’t worry about the bottom edge at this stage, except to keep it level (I used my topstitched edge line to do this in the end, rather than the line I drew).
Then I went back and made some simple little pleat-like folds at the bottom corner of each remote pouch, and pinned those.
Then you sew it all down. My humble recommendation:
1. Take the remotes out first!
2. Sew the bottom of the pouches closed first.
3. Then sew between the pouches, starting from the bottom up to the top. That way, if you have any slack it will simply shift upwards. If you are sewing down towards the bottom of the pouches you could end up with some unwanted extra fabric getting all up in your seam.
4. Be sure to back-stitch at the start and end of your stitching lines to ensure strong corners.
Here is everything sewed down. I have two remotes that are shorter than the others. I lined up the tops of all the remotes and marked a line at the bottoms of the two more petite ones.
I hand sewed them on to ensure the thread showing on the front matched.
I cut out a little pouch and hemmed it.
I’m quite chuffed with the outcome of my remote control holder DIY, and will be until the baby learns to either jump or climb up the TV cabinet.
Riffing on this pattern you could organise all sorts of things. I’m going to make a smaller one to hang next to our fireplace to hold the fire-starter briquettes and the gas lighter out of the baby’s reach. You could get your mitts on some clear vinyl and make transparent pouches for organising stationery or your sewing room or your jewellery or your makeup or … well, you get the drift.
So if you have some remotes that need to be organised, give this remote control holder DIY a whirl. Have a great weekend, everyone!
Looking for another fun home decor sewing project? Try this rather fabulous paper lantern DIY!
*affiliate link
Instead of command hooks to hang my wall quilts, etc, I use the flat Command picture frame holders. I put however many I think I need on top, and the same on the bottom if it’s pulling away from the wall. This way you don’t have to sew on the hanging loops, I’m too lazy to do that, lol. It works much better for me. If you have them in France, give it a try. Jadahlgr at yahoo dot com
Thank Cindy – they probably didn’t exist back when I first wrote this post (8 years ago now) but you’re right, I’m sure there’s a better product than what I used then. I remember thinking how amazing those removable hooks were back in the day, now they are just commonplace and I don’t give it a second thought!
This was really great. I am thinking of doing one for all my rulers! But I may not have a wall big enough!
Great idea, Patricia!
ummm… how do you put it up? sorry if you already said in the tutorial(i might have missed it)
ha ha( its me the same person as before) i totally need to pay more attention to what im reading!!!! i reread and figured it out :b :p (i never can figure out which way goes better for a smiley face sticking its tongue out :p or :b) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) sorry i got carried away bye
As long as you know you’re smiling. that’s all that matters! :-P
What a great idea – especially incorporating the iPad. Keep all those gadgets together!
Enjoy touring with your new organiser, and thanks for dropping by.
Very inspiring! I read your tutorial and improvised on a few things. We are RVers so we’re always hunting for the remotes. I used my favorite medium… PETMESH (Pet-
d-Fence from Lowes) as backing, faced it with fabric backed by the stiff Pellon, and used clear vinyl (by Kitrich) for the pockets. It’s great because you can actually see the remote controls. On the bottom I put a large divided pocket to hold my husband’s iPad. He loves it! To finish it off I made a rod pocket on the back and used a tension rod because I had a little space between two window frames that it just fit.Now all I have to do is train the remotes to jump into the pockets!
Perfect with that fabric. Excellent job!
Hi Carole, thanks for dropping by. I certainly am enjoying my time in France!
Mysterious Anonymous, thanks for dropping by too! Yes you could certainly tackle it in that vein, sewing the batting to the front or back first, then turning and quilting through all layers to secure back to front.
Only suggestion:
How about sewing the poly batting onto the front and backing piece before turning…no having to stuff it later and it would be more secure.
Bonjour !!
Very nice realization. I really like it and thanks so much for the tuto.
Your fabrics are so great.
Hope you enjoy living in France!
That’s a really cool idea :-)
brilliant. i love the product and i love the tutorial. easy peasy to follow. so suffer small baby, foiled again
Very informative, comprehensive and entertaining. I would like to make one of those. If only I wasn’t the only one in this household of five who would ever return a remote to its home. Sigh.
Hi Kirsty,
Great idea for the TV remotes – colourful and practical! The pointers on where things could go awry are much appreciated. I love your blog and you have a killer sense of humour.
Hugs,
Chali
that is genius! MY sister in law has a 20 month old and just had twins! I am totally making this for her! :) I was getting lost down the rabbit hole that is the blogger land and stumbled across yours! it was was wonderful to find it! Happy New Year!
Very nice project and tutorial. I love your
blog and think the name is the cleverist!
Jane
Flora Doora
Haha, I love the talking birds! Cute holder too, great idea.
Great project Kirsty – love the echino print! I always seem to have Xbox and Wii remotes all over the place – you don’t have any techniques for teen organisation do you?
Great tutorial, I don’t need one of those as no young children here, and I hope not for a long time, as I have a teenager in the house!!!!
I love the Echino print, and it looks great as a wall hanging.
You have a great sense of humour, I always love reading your posts.
I love it. Don’t need one now but it is now in the brain, so, if I need it I might remember. LOL. I love reading your blog (I’m in North Carolina, USA) especially about your day to day – you have so much going on.
If you get a minute take a peek (any ideas are welcome to make it better).
Wanda
http://wandas-quilts-crafts.blogspot.com/