Dishtowel Crafts
September 4, 2008
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Dishtowels. Okay so you’re thinking dishtowels equal washing and drying dishes. But wait, put a little imagination into it and I’ll bet you can come up with some great crafts to make with them. Let’s get your creative juices flowing with these five. I’ve always loved the crochet dishtowels one can usually find at a local craft fair.
Make something that is decorative and useful for your kitchen.
Potholder
Materials:
* Dishtowel
* Small piece of ribbon
* Needle and thread
Instructions:
1. Fold the dishtowel so that it is the size of a standard potholder.
2. Sew around the edges.
3. Sew the ribbon to a corner or side to use for hanging.
Make your little one feel like mommy with her own little apron you’ve made especially for her.
Child’s Apron
Materials:
* Dishtowel
* Iron
* Needle and thread
* Scissors
* 2 yards of narrow ribbon
Instructions:
1. Place the towel face-down, fold the top corners inward to create an apron shape, and use the iron to crease them.
2. Sew a seam about an inch from the edge of each crease.
3. Using a dowel or pencil, thread the ribbon up through one seam and down through the other. Leave a loop for the child’s head, and knot the ends of the ribbon.
4. Fold the bottom up and sew to make pockets if desired.
Let’s think other family members. Try this dishtowel baby bib for your little one.
Baby Bib
Materials:
* Dishtowel
* Ribbing
* Needle and thread
Instructions:
1. Cut a hole about 4 inches in diameter in the towel, about one-fourth of the way down.
2. Cut ribbing to fit around the hole, and pin it in place.
3. Sew the ribbing into place.
And who doesn’t like bunnies? You are going to love this dishtowel bunny craft.
Materials:
* A dishtowel
* Two washcloths
* Some ribbon
Instructions:
1. Lay the dishtowel down wrong side up, and fold it in thirds lengthwise. Then fold it in thirds again.
2. Roll one washcloth from the corner inward, stopping at the center. Do the same with the opposite corner, meeting the other roll in the middle.
3. Fold the top of the dishtowel down one-third of the way. Lay the washcloth inside the fold, grab the ends, and pull them up.
4. Use some ribbon to tie a bow on the washcloth, as close as possible to the dishtowel. Tie another bow on the dishtowel, directly under where the bulge created by the washcloth ends.
5. Roll the other washcloth starting at one side and ending at the other.
6. Slide this washcloth up between the back and front of the dishtowel, keeping it centered. Tie a bow on the dishtowel underneath it.
7. Bring the ends of the second washcloth around to the front and tie with ribbon.
And how about a Tote Bag? Another easy dishtowel project.
Tote Bag
Materials:
* Dishtowel
* Scissors
* Needle and thread or sewing machine
Instructions
1. Cut the towel to 14 by 27 inches.
2. Fold the towel in half so that it is wrong side out. Sew from the fold to the top edge on each side.
3. Cut two 2 by 27 inch handles from the excess material. Fold them lengthwise wrong side out and sew the length of the handle. When finished, turn them right side out.
4. Sew one handle to the inside front and one to the inside back of the tote.
So the next time you hear the word dishtowel, don’t think boring, think creative.
Crafting with Duct Tape
June 26, 2008
Duct tape certainly has its practical uses. People use it to adhere posters to the wall, connect the ends of wires or ropes and fix or temporarily fix just about any household crack or repair. Admired globally for its ability to hold just about anything together duct tape has been used to make a variety of um…shall we say unusual items. Here are just a few of the unique things people have crafted with duct tape.
Duct Tape Wallet This is actually a common use of duct tape and duct tape wallets can be bought online in just about any color imaginable. It probably began when someone repaired their wallet with a strip of duct tape. As the wallet wore down, they continued to add duct tape until the entire wallet was covered which likely prompted the thought, “why don’t I just make a wallet out of duct tape” and duct tape history was made. Here the quick instructions on how to do it.
Supplies:
o Ruler
o Scissors
o Duct tape
Measure out a ten and a half inch of duct tape, cut it, and lay it sticky side up. Cut another strip of the same length and place it on top of the first strip sticky side down leaving half of the sticky tape facing up. Fold over the top edge. Flip over the now connected strips and place a third strip sticky side down covering the remaining sticky part of the second strip. Flip the sheet again and continue the process until you have a sheet that is approximately eight and a half inches tall. Trim the edges, fold the wallet in half and tape three of the sides, leaving one long side open to slide your money in. The project can be complete now or you can add spaces for your credit card on the front by creating smaller sheets and simply taping them into the wallet you’ve just created.
photo credit: indigotimbre
The instructions aren’t here, but look at this cool duct tape iPod cover! That would be easy enough to make with duct tape, scissors, craft knife and a tape measure.
Duct Tape Skirt Stumped for what to wear to that special event? How about a duct tape skirt? Sure, that shiny metallic tape comes in a variety of colors and is ultra durable. Best of all, if something is spilled on it, it can just be hosed off, patted dry and you can return to the party. To make a skirt out of duct tape you’ll need:
o Fabric tape measure.
o Scissors
o Duct tape
Take your own measurements, hips, waist, and the length of the skirt and write them down. Measure out a strip of tape half the width of your hips, (it’s wise to add an inch or two because duct tape can be trimmed to fit). Lay the strip on a flat surface sticky side up. Cut another piece the same length and lay it on top of the first piece leaving about half of the first piece exposed. Continue layering duct tape strips on top of each other, sticky side up, until you reach the desired length of your skirt.
Once you’ve reached the desired length of your skirt, or a little longer so you have room to trim, begin cutting strips and laying them on top of the sticky sheet you just made. This time lay the strips sticky side down. You’re creating the front side of your skirt. Continue the process until a full sheet has been made. Repeat the process to create the backside of your skirt. Fold a strip of tape over the top and the bottom of the skirt to create an even seam and tape the two sides together. Tape them well. You wouldn’t want to lose your skirt halfway through the night. Cut a slit in the top so you can easily get into your skirt. Tape the slit sides so they don’t fray. You can use sticky back Velcro or a button to fasten the skirt. Voila, you’re ready to hit the town.
These are just two of the many crazy things people make with duct tape. Use your imagination and I’m sure you can come up with more ideas. Have fun!
How To Make A Chocolate Box
June 4, 2008
Here is the latest video published by Holly Endress, my guest on Crafter Cast Show #11. This one is how to make a chocolate box which will hold three pieces of chocolate. Her blog is Inka Dinka Doodle and shows various stamped cards as well as video tutorials.
Fleece Tie Blanket Tutorial
May 18, 2008
A fleece tie blanket is a fun and easy blanket to make. This is a quick step by step tutorial - all you need are two pieces of fleece and scissors.
First I always cut off the edges - with a print it is because the edge is white, and with a solid it is because the edge is tighter woven and that is just a preference of mine to cut it off.
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Then I lay the smallest piece on top of the largest, so I can match them up and cut away the excess.
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I never used to cut a square away in the corner, but after doing a few blankets with diagonal cuts I realize cutting the square makes a cleaner corner.
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Then cut the fringe - I always do a what feels like a natural cut with my scissors - then it is just one cut versus a couple of short ones. Plus I like this length - not too short it can’t be tied and not too long.
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Here is a shot of the fringe tied.
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The material is 45 by 60 so this makes a nice throw blanket for your couch or a regular blanket for a child. One variation that I’ve seen but have not made is cutting the solid material around a specific image from the print side and sewing around the edge. I’m sure that would be easy enough to do if you basted the material and used a light source to see through to the other side.
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