Get Organized Tutorial: Make A Laminated Fabric Folder

Laminated cotton is an all star fabric in my book.  It's easy to keep clean, super strong and holds up to serious wear (my 3 year old laminated high chair cover is proof of that!). So being incredibly versatile and durable, why not use it as a substitute for weaker materials? Paper folders get stained, torn or worn out over time.  Substitute with laminated cotton and these folders virtually indestructible!  

You'll Need:
- 5/8yd Laminated Cotton
- 17in x 22in piece of Ultra firm stabilizer
- Sewing Notions (shears/rotary cutter, ruler, disappearing marker)
- Flat Clips (I use hair clips, but binder clips, bobby pins or Wonder-clips also work)
- Lip balm (this makes the laminate smoothly move under the presser foot)

From the laminated cotton, cut the following pieces: (2) 18in wide by 12in high and (1) 18in wide by 8in high.  My measurements are for a standard folder (to hold 8.5x11in paper), so adjust accordingly if using different size.

Fold the piece 8 inch high piece lengthwise, with wrong sides together, and line up along the bottom of one of the larger pieces.  Pins will leave permanent holes in laminate, so use clips to attach the layers together.

Run a bit of lip balm along the edges of the fabric that will be sewn.  This will prevent the laminate from sticking under the presser foot.  Baste the pocket on the sides and bottom 1/8 inch from the raw edge.


Place the other folder piece on top, right side down, and clip together all the way around.  Stitch together with a 1/4 inch seam allowance, leaving a 3 inch gap on one of the short sides:

Trim down the corners to reduce bulk and turn inside out, using a pencil or other pointed object to poke corners outward:

With disappearing marker & a ruler, draw a line down the center for the fold and add some lip balm to make the upcoming stitching easier:

From the ultra firm stabilizer cut two pieces that are 8.5in wide x11in high:

Roll up one piece of stabilizer and insert into the folder sideways and then open and push into place.

Clip that side of the folder around the edges to hold the stabilizer in place and stitch down the center to make the folder's crease (just wipe the lip balm away when done).

Insert remaining piece of stabilizer, clip in place, then topstitch all the way around to close the gap & finish things off.


Now the folder is ready.  Perfect for storing paperwork, patterns, schoolwork or anything else flat.

And there's no tearing, no staining, no falling apart over time.  Organizing never felt so good - or so invincible!

I'm also sharing this project with my FAVE LINK PARTIES.

Click HERE to check them out!