Fabric Vertical Plant Hanger

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• 3 yds Wide 54" outdoor fabric
• Three 7/16" grommets with applicator
• Sewing machine
• Sewing notions
• Ruler
• Yardstick or Quilters' rule
• Marking pen
• Iron & ironing board
• Chopstick or dowel
• X-Acto® knife with #11 blade or trim scissors
• Hammer
• Optional: Walking foot

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cut Fabric:

• Backing: one 48" x 54"
• Pockets: three 19" x 43"



2. Construct Backing Panel:

• Fold backing fabric right sides together to 48" high x 27" wide matching corners.
• Sew with 1/2" seam allowance around three open sides leaving a 6" opening in the center of one 27" edge (bottom).
• Trim corners at an angle close to the seam. Turn right side out through the opening.
• Push out corners with a chopstick or dowel. Press seams. Press opening in to match seams. Topstitch 1/4" from all edges.



3. Create Top Flap, On Backing, For Grommets:

• Fold top edge down to front 2" to 2 1/2", there should be 42" below the folded edge for pockets. Topstitch 1/2" from edge of folded flap to secure in place.



4. Construct Three Pocket Panels:

• Fold one pocket fabric right sides together to 9 1/2" high x 43" wide matching corners.
• Sew 1/2" seam allowance around three open sides leaving a 5" opening in the center of the 43" edge (bottom).
• Trim corners at an angle close to the seam. Turn right side out through the opening.
• Push out corners with a chopstick or dowel. Press seams. Press opening in to match seams.
• Topstitch opening closed 1/4" from edge. The folded edge will be the top. Topstitch the top edge 1/2" from the edge. Repeat for all three pocket panels.



5. Mark Placement for Pockets:

• The three rows of three 9" high pockets will have about 5" between rows. The bottom edge of the bottom pockets will be set flush with the bottom edge of the backing panel. Use the following instruction to mark the placement of the pockets on the backing panel-
• Horizontal lines: Start at the bottom edge, measure up 14" and mark with a horizontal line with marking chalk or pins. This is the placement line for the bottom edge of the center pocket. Mark another 14" up to mark the bottom edge of the top pocket.
• Vertical guidelines for pockets: along the bottom edge of the backing panel and on each horizontal line, mark 9" in from each edge.



6. Mark The Pockets:

• On each pocket panel, mark 14" in from the sides to divide the panel into thirds. Mark the 14" with a pin on the top and bottom edge of the panel, or with marking chalk and a vertical line running from top to bottom.



7. Sew Pockets to Backing Panel:

• Match vertical placement on pocket panels to the vertical marks on the backing panel, aligning the bottom edge of the pocket with the horizontal marking on the backing panel. Pocket panel will be larger than the backing panel, causing the center of the panel to gap.
• Sew the vertical markings on all three pockets, through the backing panel - 6 vertical lines total.
• Bring the sides of the pocket panels in to meet the sides of the backing panel. Again, there will be gapping as the pocket is larger than the backing.
• Stitch the vertical sides of each pocket panel to the backing- 6 sides total.
• Fold the bottom edges of the pockets to lay flat forming box pleats at the vertical stitch points. The outer folds should align with the sides of the backing panel. The pleats between the pockets should fold to meet at the seam between the pockets.
• Pin pleats in place. Repeat for all 9 pocket sections.
• Stitch across each pocket panel, backstitching over the pleated sections for durability.



8. Insert Grommets:

• Mark three points centered, top to bottom, on the top flap of the backing panel. Each grommet should be centered side to side above each of the pockets. Draw a circle centered on each mark the size of the center of the grommets. Cut out the circle with an x-Acto knife or trim scissors.
• Attach grommets following manufactures directions.