DIY picnic organizer

We’re so thrilled to have Leanne from Organize and Decorate Everything here today sharing a perfectly summer-y (and fabulously blue) Color Your Summer project-

Hi there! It’s Leanne from Organize and Decorate Everything. I can’t even tell you how excited I am to be a part of Color Your Summer this year. I love this series and look forward to it every year, so this year is extra special to me since I get to be involved.

When I found out my color was blue I knew exactly what I wanted to make. My family loves Summer picnics and I kind of have a crush on all things picnic-y. I don’t like paper products for picnics. I like to use things a little more special, so when I found these plaid napkins for 25 cents each at a close out sale I knew they would make perfect utensil carriers.

I’m not a great seamstress but I can sew a straight line. I started by laying out the utensils so I knew how much space I had to work with. Yours will differ depending on the size of the napkin. My napkin measures about 20″x20″. First I folded the napkin up about 6 1/4″ to make the divided spaces, then I stitched the side together along one side.

I measured out each divided area making sure the utensil fit well so it wouldn’t fall out, but not too snug. My measurements are (from left to right) 1 1/4″, 1 3/4″, 1 3/4″, 1 1/4″ and 2 3/4″. You can add more spaces if you have need for them. You can see the stitches if you look closely.

I stitched a 20″ long ribbon into the other side to be able to tie the carrier closed. I simple folded the ribbon in half and stitched it between the fabric.

Fold the top down over the utensils.

Then roll up and tie, keeping everything together and clean.

I love impromptu picnics, so I keep everything in the baskets and ready so we can just grab the food and go. Do you want to know the perfect containers for fruits, veggies, and salads for picnics? Mason jars! and I love the way they look too.

Having real utensils, plates, jars, and napkins don’t really add much more work. You just toss everything in the washer when you get home, and they look so much prettier.

I have a quick tip for basket liners too. This one had some juice spilled on it and I couldn’t get the stain out. I took the old liner out, used it as a template, and simply hot glued a new one in place. This liner has been in the basket for 5 years and still looks great.

Besides picnic-y goodness, there is so much fabulousness at Organize and Decorate Everything. Like this fantastic craft table, these fabulous tips for organizing kids’ rooms, this great tutorial for making vintage cans, these spray painted door mats, and a chalkboard frame.

And be sure to check out this a.mazing Versa Skirt tutorial at Delia Creates today as well!