Hanging Hamper

What you need:
Large metal or wooden ring
Pillowcase or fabric
Sewing machine and thread

It can be challenging when you live in a small apartment, mobile home or other cramped area. There simply isn’t room for everything. But, you get by the best you can by using various organizers and keeping belongings to a minimum. No matter who you are, or where you live, there’s one thing everyone in the world needs and that’s a place to put your dirty clothes. You sure can’t throw them on the floor, and if you have no room for a hamper, what’s left for there to do? Well, with a few simple supplies, you can make a hamper that lives on the back of a door in your home – be it a closet door, bathroom door or other.

One way to make a hanging hamper is to use a pillowcase you already have. In addition to the pillowcase you’ll need a metal ring from a craft store. They come in various sizes so measure the width of the pillowcase you intend to use and purchase a ring which is comparable in diameter. If the ring is too large you won’t be able to finish the project; if the ring is a bit small, that’s okay.

Gather the top edge of the pillowcase in one hand and push it through the ring. Now take the edges of the pillowcase and fold them over the ring. Pin these in place so that the ring stays put. Sew around the pillowcase, right next to the ring, using a straight stitch. Back-stitch when you get to the area where you started and the hamper is finished.

If you don’t have a pillowcase you can spare you can easily make a hanging hamper by using other fabric. Cut two pieces to be the size you want. Place the material on a table and stack the two pieces so that their right sides face each other.

Sew around three sides of the material to make the bag. Hem around the top area – before inserting the ring – to give it a finished look. Now, position the ring around the top of the bag, fold the edges of the cloth over the ring, then sew around it as stated above.

With an embroidery hoop you can make a hanging hamper without sewing. The hoop is actually two wooden rings – one that slips over the other. Take the rings apart, slip the pillowcase or homemade bag into the small ring, pull the edges of the cloth over the ring, then slide the larger ring over it. Tighten the ring and attach a loop of cord to hang.

The hanging hamper makes it easy to take care of dirty laundry in cramped quarters. Just install a door hanger hardware piece and hang the hamper by the ring. It’s very handy and really simple to make.

See a hanging hamper here: http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/25-bedroom-organizers#slide_5