Being a DIY-minded girl, I often see pretty items being sold in stores and instead of thinking, “I want that!” it’s usually “Can I make that?” I saw this cute little suede catchall dish online and my brain went straight to how I could recreate the idea at home. In case you aren’t sure what a “catchall dish” is, it’s a little dish or container that people keep on their entryway table or counter where they can throw their keys, loose change, or other items that are floating around in the vicinity. They’re great! It’s like a junk drawer for your keys! If you don’t want to use suede, you could also make this with a thick wool felt—that would be pretty as well.
Supplies:
-suede (real or faux) in two colors
-scissors or rotary cutter and metal ruler
–leather punch (anything that will punch a hole through leather as big as your screw posts will work)
–leather glue
-1/4″ screw posts
(4 sets)
-hammer
-small square object as a corner guide
First you’ll want to cut a square of leather that is 7″ x 7″ and another smaller square of your second color that is 4.5″ x 4.5″. Use the leather glue to glue the smaller square exactly in the middle of your larger square. Well, as close to exact as you can anyway…
Align a square object (like a small box or a square vase) with the corner of your inside color square and pinch the larger square sides up with your fingers at the corner. Use a marker to make a small mark on the outside of the leather where the corner is made.
Use your leather punch to punch a hole in that marked spot, pinch the corner in half again, and trace the hole you just punched onto the other side of the suede fold. Punch that hole as well so you end up with two mirror image holes. Repeat this process with each corner.
Screw your posts through the holes to connect the sides.
You can leave the corners pointed if you want, but I took fabric scissors and chopped them off a bit for a cleaner look. To get the sides to stand up straight at more of a right angle, you can fold each side in towards the middle, take a hammer, and hammer across the folded seams where the bottom meets each side. This will create a crease in the leather so it will be more willing to bend at that spot. That’s it, you’re done!
I love that this was such a simple project to make and it turned out so cute too! You could make a couple of theses at once to give out as gifts or be a little selfish and just keep them in different spots around your place. You can do all one color if you like (still cut out the two sizes of squares though so it gives the dish more shape), but I think the color blocked bottom is fun. Time to show my keys their new home! xo. Laura
Credits // Author and Photography: Laura Gummerman. Photos edited with A Beautiful Mess actions.
46 Comments
A friend makes a similar item and uses them for travel. She says they’re great on hotel nightstands to hold multivitamins, etc., that you don’t want touching the skeezy counter space. They travel great since they lay flat.
so adorable!
http://nurielfashion.blogspot.co.il/2015/03/prints-are-backo.html?showComment=1426510761849#c2056903554602879807
This is so nice and I love the color, I think actually I found it the cutest DIY on the site 🙂
http://inspiremeland.com
Betty
This is so cute! It looked quite difficult to make but it’s actually really easy. I love your photos 🙂
Sarah | Sarahanne14
This is awesome!
I want to make this!
So simple and yet so chic! I love this DIY!
http://annescribblesanddoodles.blogspot.com/
I absolutely love this and love the colour too. It looks so simple to make, I’ll have a go on my next DIY session!
Ami xxx
ami-rose.com
Love this! What a great way to bring coloured suede into the home for spring/summer ❤
munchies&musings
So pretty and simple! I’d love to make one for mail – or a set as a gift xo
Warm Regards,
Alexandra
http://www.littlewildheart.com
Very unique looking. I love the color.
That looks so simple to make and I love the bright color!
-M
http://www.violetroots.com
My house desperately needs a catchall dish. I’m constantly losing my keys, loose change and chapsticks.. they end up in the strangest places. I like a suede, but I think a white leather one with gold hardware would look perfect on my front entrance table!
M.
This is so cool. http://littleblingring.blogspot.co.uk/
I love this, I always have so many pointless things lying around-now they can all be in one place!
I have just started a blog and would really love it if you could check it out!
I post everything from beauty to food!
http://snapgracklepop.blogspot.co.uk
What a fun and easy DIY! I need to make this for my keys so I don’t lose them every day!
Nidhi
An Unblurred Lady
So cute! And it looks pretty easy to make! Thanks for sharing.
its so cute!!
Adorable! Where’d you get the suede in such a lovely color?
So adorable! I could use this, or two or three of these, in my house. Thanks for the great idea!
I love this. It may be a little above my skill level, but I love the idea of trying it out with a thick felt.
Seems so easy to make it 🙂 and love the color!
xOrsi
http://szkorso.blogspot.ro
What is the estimated price comparison between the store bought and DIY version? I am not familiar with the prices of the supplies. Would be a good tidbit to add!
Love DIY’s like this, so cute! xx
http://www.creativityandchocolate.com
Love it! So nice!
What a great idea for keys! I can’t believe how simple this looks.
Juju Sprinkles
http://www.jujusprinkles.com
This is so pretty and simple..just like the west elm ones…
xo
Hems
agoldentulip.blogspot.com
Oehh i like this one!
How much did making this cost compared to the West Elm one?
Very cute! http://www.hannamarielei.com
So cute! Absolutely adorable!
This is so cute and crafty! Love it.
tonixox.blogspot.com
This is gorgeous – I definitely want to make one
http://highheelsbrownhair.blogspot.co.uk/
Simple idea for an elegant result. Thanks.
I shared this article on my site.
This is adorable! And I love the Hello cuff.
This looks lovely!
A company called Elliot Rhodes also sell beautiful leather desk trays in various colours. Check them out here:
http://www.elliotrhodes.com/a/collections/accessories?type=Home+Decor
so easy and cute!
xx nikki
http://www.dream-in-neon.com
This is fantastic. I must try!
http://www.lifeisjustrosie.com
This is really gorgeous! I’d love to feature your DIY on my blog- using one of your pictures to go with the link… Would that be ok with you? If not, just send me an email to bastelschaf@gmx.de
Cheers!
Conny
I would love to know how this one holds up over time!
Your blog looks so fun! I love banana ice cream too, good luck with your blog!
Laura 🙂
I got it at a local leather store, but check around your area for a leather store or see what your craft store carries. If you don’t find anything there, check online for resources as well 🙂
Laura
Hmm, well depending on what kind of suede you buy, it can be more or less expensive (some places sell scrap pieces for really cheap and that would be great since you don’t need much to make this). Probably cost me around $10 🙂
Laura
Hmm, well depending on what kind of suede you buy, it can be more or less expensive (some places sell scrap pieces for really cheap and that would be great since you don’t need much to make this). Probably cost me around $10 total though 🙂
Laura
Those are really cute too!
Laura 🙂
Sure! Just make sure you credit us and link back to this post in your post. So glad you like it!
Laura 🙂
I have a picture on my phone after seeing these in a design store last year! I had the same thought in my head “I’m sure there’s a way to make these myself!” Thanks for laying it all out for so it’s that much easier to do. I think the only change I would make, is that the ones I saw in store had snaps instead, so they could unsnap easier and lie flat for storage or travel.