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A DIY suede catchall dish is a simple way to give keys, coins, and other small everyday items a designated place. This colorblocked version uses two square pieces of suede and four screw posts to form a compact tray for an entry table, counter, or desk. Real or faux suede can be used, and thick wool felt is another possible material.
What a Catchall Dish Is Used For
A catchall dish is a small open container for items that tend to collect on nearby surfaces. Keep one close to the entrance for keys or use it on a desk for other small belongings. Choose a spot where the dish is easy to reach, and avoid overfilling it so items remain easy to find.
DIY Suede Catchall Dish Supplies
- Suede, real or faux, in two colors
- Scissors or a rotary cutter and metal ruler
- A leather punch, or another tool that can make holes large enough for the screw posts
- Leather glue
- Four sets of 1/4-inch screw posts
- A hammer
- A small square object to use as a corner guide
Before cutting, check that the screw posts can pass through the material and that the punch makes holes suited to their size. A ruler and a stable cutting surface can help keep the squares even.
How to Make the Colorblocked Dish
1. Cut and glue the squares
Cut a 7-inch by 7-inch square from the first color and a 4.5-inch by 4.5-inch square from the second. Apply leather glue to the smaller square and position it in the center of the larger one. Allow the adhesive to set according to its directions before shaping the dish.
2. Mark the corners
Place a small square object, such as a box or square vase, at a corner of the inner square. Pinch the larger square’s sides upward around the guide to form the corner. Mark the outside of the material where the sides meet. Repeat the same method at each corner, aiming to keep the marks consistent.
3. Punch holes and attach the posts
Punch a hole at a marked spot. Fold the pinched corner in half and use the first hole to mark the matching position on the other side of the fold. Punch the second hole so the two openings line up when the corner is brought together. Repeat at the remaining corners.
Thread a screw post through each pair of aligned holes to join the sides. Check that the corners sit evenly before tightening the posts.
4. Finish the edges and shape
The corners can stay pointed, or their tips can be trimmed with fabric scissors for a neater outline. To encourage the sides to stand closer to a right angle, fold each side inward toward the center and gently tap along the fold where the base meets the side. This creates a crease that helps the material bend at that point. Use care with the hammer, especially on thinner or delicate material.
Ways to Customize Your Catchall
Use two contrasting colors to highlight the inset bottom, or make the dish from one color. Even for a single-color version, cut both the 7-inch and 4.5-inch squares to retain the layered shape. Making more than one can create matching places for small items in different rooms or provide handmade gifts.
This DIY suede catchall dish is a practical small project that turns loose essentials into an organized set. Place it somewhere convenient, and keep it clear enough that keys and other items are easy to spot.
Project by Laura.
