The Crazy Simple Life

Since baby girl was born, I feel like I spend most of my waking hours in this chair... nursing. While I love being able to breastfeed my daughter and the quality bonding time it provides, I get tired of trying to reach the end table for my Nook, burp clothes, nursing pads, a pacifier, my phone, lanolin, etc. So I sewed up this easy couch-side caddy for all my essentials. My husband has pointed out that it's perfect for holding beers and remote controls too!

This is what my arm chair usually looks like just to give you an idea...

Yes, various materials precariously positioned on the arms of the chair, only to fall off when I try to shift nursing positions.

So here's what you need to make your own couch-side caddy:

Tape measure

Fabric (I used two coordinating colors for the backing and pockets, but you could use the same)

Scissors

Thread

Sewing machine

1/4 inch elastic

1/2 inch diameter wooen dowel OR the cardboard tube from a dry cleaner hanger works too

1. You'll probably want to measure your own couch arm to come up with dimensions that work for you. Remove the cusion and measure from the bottom of the inside of the couch, over the arm, and extending as deep as you want the pocket to go. Measure how wide you want the fabric for your caddy to be. And be sure to make a mark on your backing fabric for where you'd like the tops of the pockets to be. Here are the dimensions I used:

Backing fabric: 35" x 17.5"

Pocket 1 (on the outside of the arm): 24.5" x 7.5"

Pocket 2 (on the inside of the arm): 20" x 7.5"

Elastic: 17.5" long

2. Take the fabric for pocket 1, double fold and use an iron to press one long egde, leaving enough space for the elastic. Sew the hem. Thread the elastic through, pining the end of the elastic in place. Spread the fabric over the elastic evenly.

3. For pocket 2 double fold, press, and sew one long edge. There will not be any elastic on this set of pockets. Single fold the other long edge and press. No need to sew this one, it will be sewn to the back fabric to create the bottom of the pocket.

4. Position the pocket pieces onto the backing as shown in the picture below. (The unhemmed edge of pocket 1 should be lined up with the bottom of the back fabric. The top of pocket 2 should be about 11-12 inches from the top of pocket 1.) Double fold and press the long sides of the fabric, including the pocket fabric. Sew these edges.

5. Decide on the sizes of the pockets you want. I have one that's big enough to accomodate my Nook and the rest are kind of evenly divided. Space the fabric evenly for the pockets. Pin the fabric between the pockets where you want the separations to be and sew. I double stich about a half inch at the top and bottom of the pocket for reinforcement.

6. Pin a pleat into the bottom of all the pockets. Sew along the bottom of pocket 2.

7. Double fold the bottom of pocket 1 along with the back fabric, press, and sew.

8. Double fold the last faw edge of the back fabric, leaving enough space for the dowel to slide in. Press and sew.

9. Cut your dowel or cardboard tube to fit the sleeve. Drape the fabric over the arm of the chair, tucking the side with the dowel under the couch cushion.

Using the cardboard tube from a dry cleaner hanger? Now, that's what I call repurposing!

Check it. Room for my nursing pads, iphone, lanolin, and binky on this side.

Nook and rolled up burp clothes on the other side. See how the tube keeps it tucked in place under the couch cushion?