How to Make Nesting Canvas Valet Trays
Are you frustrated that you can’t find your keys or jewelry every day? Wish you had a pretty place to put your stuff when you walked in the door? Then you need to make these super simple canvas valet trays!
Have you ever heard of a valet tray? They are flat, shallow trays that make it easy to drop your watches, keys, wallet, jewelry or any small item that you always seem to lose.
Using a valet tray keeps your little stuff together in one place so that you are more organized and less stressed!
Valet trays are usually made of leather. And you could make these with leather or a leather-like fabric if you’d like to.
However, I wanted something pretty and feminine. Who says that all valet trays have to be dark and brown?
I also made these pretty felt fabric trays, too. They are hand sewn rather than machine stitched. You might like them, as well.
The great news is that you don’t need a pattern for this DIY project!
I stenciled the canvas fabric with bright colors and bold prints that make me happy.
You don’t have to stencil your fabric. You could use plain canvas fabric to keep the look boho and minimal. Or choose a heavy weight patterned fabric* and skip some of the steps below for an even quicker DIY project!
*You will need a heavy-weight fabric, such as canvas, denim, leather, vinyl or drop cloth for these trays to keep their shape.
These nesting canvas trays make great gifts for both men and women! Just customize with colors, patterns and different types of fabric that will make them happy.
These are great DIY gifts, too:
This tutorial first appeared on SingleGirlsDIY.com
How to Make Canvas Valet Trays
This sewing project makes three nesting trays of various sizes. You can choose just to make one tray if you’d like.
If you are not wanting to stencil your fabric, skip Steps 2-4.
Materials
- Medium weight 100% Cotton canvas fabric (you could also use drop cloth fabric)
- Americana Acrylic Paints in Ocean Blue, Bluegreen Grass, Coral Blush and Light Orchard (optional)
- DecoArt Stencils Aztec Pattern 6”x8” and Mod Leaf Pattern 6”x6” (optional)
- Stencil brush, 1” angled brush (optional)
- Fabric scissors
- Sewing machine and matching thread
- Painter’s tape (optional)
Instructions
Step 1
Cut the canvas material into square pieces measuring 5 1/2” X 5 1/2″; 7” X 7″; and 8 1/2” X 8 1/2″.
Cut two squares in each size. Move one set of squares off to the side for the time being.
Step 2
Working with one piece at a time, place the smallest square on a flat protected surface. Center the Mod Leaf stencil on top. Holding the stencil in place or taping it down, use a stencil brush to dab the Ocean Blue color over the stencil.
When done, peel away the stencil and let the paint dry.
Step 3
Make the middle sized square by positioning the edge of a strip of painter’s tape along the center.
Using the Bluegreen Grass color, paint one side of the canvas square. Peel away the painter’s tape and let paint dry.
Place another small strip of painter’s tape forming a triangle on the other half of the square. Using the Light Orchard color, paint the inside of the triangle.
Peel away the painter’s tape and let the paint dry.
Step 4
Place the Aztec stencil over top of the largest square canvas and use Coral Blush to dab the pattern on to the canvas. Remove the stencil and let the paint dry.
Step 5
Once the paint has dried, give the painted squares a light press with the iron (on the reverse side) if needed. Then place the matching sized squares with RIGHT sides together.
With the sewing machine, sew the two square layers together with a 1⁄4” seam allowance all around the perimeter.
Leave a 2” gap between the start and end of the stitching. Backstitch the start and end of the stitching to lock the stitch ends so they don’t unravel.
Step 6
Clip the corners to reduce the bulk. Then carefully turn the sewn piece right side out.
Step 7
Press the edges along the seams flat and poke out the corners using a dull object such as the back end of a wooden skewer or use a cute flamingo turning tool.
Step 8
Sew the opening closed on each square with your sewing machine along the edge of the fabric.
Step 9
With the stenciled side facing up, fold one side of the square up and over to align the edge with the adjacent side. You will kind of be making a triangle with the sides folded together. Sew the corners together 1” away from the pointed tip, backstitching (back-tacking) at the start and end stitches.
Repeat for all four corners on each tray. And repeat for all of the trays.
If you are trying to get more organized, sew some of these zippered pouches to keep your small stuff together. These drawstring bags don’t have a zipper, but also help to keep tiny items contained.
This cord keeper is guaranteed to stop the tangled mess of earphone cords, power cords and charging cords.
