My husband’s birthday was this past week and I always try to make a little something for each of my guys on special days.  This year I made him a bucket buddy, using Simplicity 4232.  I think it came out rather nice:

The ideas on the pattern cover are rather frouffy, so I kept this one simple and manly by using denim, black mesh and black binding.  I also didn’t do the gathered handle cover, which seems cute but entirely unnecessary.

Here’s a version I made for myself today, now I can have all my pliers-type tools in one place.

Here’s my review from pattern review:

Pattern Description: Bucket Covers/Organizers to fit over 5 gallon and 5 quart buckets.  I made the 5 quart size. 

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow? The directions could have been more clear in some areas. See below for tips on how to simplify this project.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I liked that they gave a pattern to make bias binding from your matching fabric.

I wish they’d made patterns for covers in more than two sizes. The five gallon is huge, the five quart is kind of small. A pattern for a ten quart bucket would have been nice.

Fabric Used:Cotton quilting print, and denim. I used scrubbie mesh for the pockets and premade bias binding.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:Cut off the top of the pocket pattern and bind with premade bias tape, Skip the gathered handle unless you want it to look quite fancy.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I would recommend this to folks who are good at visualizing how things come together. There are spots where this could be a little confusing, particularly when putting in the center divider.

Conclusion: I’ve already made this pattern twice and probably will make it again for gifts. I like the idea on the pattern cover of filling it with baby supplies, it would make an adorable shower gift. If I did that, I would make the gathered handle.

Tips:  

If you’re using plain binding and not doing all the ricrac and decorative stuff, make sure to cut the pocket section at the fold line.  You might notice on the photo of denim caddy, I neglected to do that, so I just folded down the top.  That looks good, too, so hey!

The pattern called for interfacing your fabric, which I did do on the cotton print, but skipped on the heavier denim.  They also give you a pattern piece for making bias binding out of your fabric, which is nice if you’ve never done that before.  I decided to save some time and fabric by using purchased bias tape that I already had.  Whichever type of binding you use, an edge stitching foot is a great tool for adding binding that looks perfect.  You’ll love it cuz it will make you look like a pro.  🙂

You’ll need to bind the top edges of both pocket pieces and the center divider.

I simplify adding the pockets by only marking the long pocket lines.  I first stitch the pockets along the long lines and baste the side edges.

Then I fold and pin in the pleats and baste across the bottom.  This is a lot less fussy than the way the pattern has you do it.  Make sure to place the outer pleats well away from the seam line.

The rest of the pattern direction are good.  Just make sure to follow them carefully, step by step, and you’ll be fine.  Once more, here’s my finished organizer.

Happy Sewing & Crafting!

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