How to make a cross stitch sofa armrest organiser

Enjoy making your very own cross stitched sofa armrest organiser with pockets to store your remotes, books, accessories, crafting supplies more as you settle down in front of the TV.

Find a pretty floral cross stitch pattern, designed by Heather Nugent, in issue 362 (September 2025) of The World of Cross Stitching magazine. Order online for delivery whilst stocks last, or download a digital issue today.

The nature-inspired cross stitch design includes three different colour schemes to choose from, with a key for each to use alongside a black and white chart.

Or it’s easy to pick your own thread colours to coordinate with your home decor – simply select your favourite shades and assign them to each symbol on the pattern.

The design includes whole cross stitches only, making it a great first pattern for beginners to try! If you are new to counted cross stitching we have lots of helpful resources available – first learn all about counted cross stitch and how to read a cross stitch pattern with our easy-to-follow guides.

Once you’ve completed the cross stitch design, it’s easy to turn your finish into a handmade sofa armrest organiser following the tutorial below. You’ll find it quicker and easier to make using a sewing machine, or you can hand-stitch if preferred.

What you’ll need to make a sofa armrest organiser

• 14-count white aida
• Stranded cottons
• Size 24 tapestry needle
• Cotton backing fabric
• White medium-weight iron-on interfacing
• Fabric scissors
• Pins
• White sewing cotton
• Iron and ironing board
• Heat erasable pen (optional)
• Sewing machine (optional)
• Project pattern (from issue 362 (September 2025) of The World of Cross Stitching magazine)

How to make a sofa armrest storage organiser

Step 1

Iron your completed stitching and affix medium-weight iron-on interfacing on the reverse side. Cut out around your stitched design leaving a 2cm (¾in) border around all edges.

Step 2

Cut out a panel of cotton backing fabric the same size as your stitched piece. Pin them together right sides facing, then sew along the top edge with a 1cm (¼in) seam allowance (you can mark this line using an erasable pen if desired).

Step 3

Fold the backing fabric over to the reverse of the stitched piece, and press the seam to form a neat top edge. Make a line of stitching along this top edge to secure the fold.

Step 4

Measure your sofa arm using a tape measure. You’ll want to measure from about halfway down the outside of the arm, over the arm and then at least halfway under the sofa cushion. Cut out two panels of backing fabric the length you just measured x the width of your stitched piece.

Step 5

Lay your first panel of backing fabric down on your work surface right side facing up. Then position your stitched piece on top at one end, with the raw edges lined up along the sides and bottom edge. Now lay your second panel of backing fabric on top right side facing down, lining up the edges. Then pin all three pieces together.

Step 6

Stitch together with a 1cm (¼in) seam allowance, leaving a 10cm (4in) gap for turning. Snip excess material from the corner seams, then turn through, press and neatly slip stitch the gap closed.

Step 7

Insert your remote (or other chosen objects) into the pocket and then pin or mark along its side to work out the pocket positioning.

Step 8

Remove the object and then sew along the line. Repeat for any additional pockets as desired, then iron when finished.

How to use your sofa armrest organiser

Once complete, it’s now ready to simply place the cross stitched end over the armrest of your chair, with the fabric end laying out flat under the sofa cushion. The weight of the cushion will anchor it down and hold in position when you sit on it. Fill up the pockets with your remote controls, books or accessories to keep close at hand for when you need them.

How to adapt your sofa armrest organiser

It’s easy to add additional pockets to your armrest organiser – we chose to have one large and one narrower pocket, but if you prefer 3 narrower pockets simply make another row of stitching down the design to create another divider.

You can also mix and match these simple motifs to make your organiser wider and add even more pockets. To do this, plot repeats of the floral motifs out on graph paper before starting. This helps you work out the new fabric size and composition. Then simply follow your new chart for cross stitching and the making up steps above to create your wider sofa armrest organiser.

More cross stitch projects to enjoy

Whether you’re a beginner or experienced stitcher, there’s lots to enjoy about counted cross stitch. Check out our guides to stitching on clothes and bags, how to frame your finished cross stitch and learn all about how to stitch on plastic canvas with some fun designs to try out.

Don’t forget you can also get over 75 easy-to-follow patterns from your favourite international designers every month, to stitch for yourself or as great gifts, in The World of Cross Stitching magazine.

You’ll also find a fantastic range of PDF instant download patterns available in The World of Cross Stitching Etsy shop.