Browsing Category

DIYs

DIYs

Easy DIYs: Decorating jars

July 31, 2012

Ever wondered what to do with all those jam jars you seem to gather? Well, wonder no more, as I have a simple DIY for you.

Jam jars make perfect jewellery and accessory holders, as they are easy to get hold of and versatile. They’re also very easy to decorate and what better way to help the environment by giving an old jam jar a new life?

Disclaimer: I would strongly urge you NOT to use the jars as tea light holders, as open flames and fabric/paper do not mix!

What you’ll need:

-A recycled jam jar

-Some fabric or paper of your choice (this can either be cut into small strips to arrange vertically onto the jar or one long strip to attach diagonally)

-Sellotape

-A pair of scissors

What you’ll need

One of the easiest ways to decorate a jar is to glue paper or fabric to it and this is what I did. I chose to sellotape mine, but you can glue the paper or fabric if you want, using a strongish glue.

How to make:

Stick double sided tape to your jar, making sure that tape is attached all the way around the jar

Create your own double sided sellotape by sticking the ends of the tape together

Cut a long piece of fabric or paper that reaches around your jar and attach this to the tape, making sure it sticks neatly and is straight

Wrap the paper or fabric around the jar onto the double sided tape

Then adorn your jars with whatever accessories you like (I suggest putting buttons or spare change in them) and place them decoratively around your home

Pretty jars make decorative additions to your home

If you’d like to catch up with all my other DIYs, you can find them here.

Crafting ideas, DIYs

Drafting a pattern

July 30, 2012

Here’s a sneak preview of a dress pattern that I’m currently working on. I don’t usually follow patterns, as ever since I’ve been sewing, I’ve had a better idea of what I wanted to make in my head. This has caused some sewing disasters in the past though, so I quickly learnt to draft my own patterns using newspaper, which helps me to work out whether the pattern is too big or small. I much prefer working from my own patterns as I can make an item of clothing exactly to my preferences then.

I drew around the top half of a favourite dress to get the shape for my pattern

I’m not going to give you a tutorial on drafting your own patterns because, believe me, I’m nowhere near perfect when it comes to pattern drafting and I’m sure there are many tutorials out there which are far better at explaining it than I am.

But, the dress is coming along nicely and I’ll post about it when it’s ready.

 

DIYs

Easy DIYs: How to customise a pair of shorts

July 22, 2012

Have you ever bought something that isn’t quite to your taste but you haven’t wanted to waste it? So have I. A few months ago I bought a pair of shorts from a jumble sale, but when I brought them home, they weren’t exactly flattering.

This is how they used to look

Although they only cost me £1 and I could have used the fabric, as it was Laura Ashley, I really didn’t want to waste them. The shorts were so easy to customise that you could potentially do it while you’re asleep, so instead of giving you a tutorial, I’m just going to tell you what I did. I folded the shorts up, pinned them in place at the sides and sewed. That’s it! The only thing I’d advise you though, if you do this, is to try on the shorts when you fold or roll them up and pin them while you’re wearing them (but watch out for your legs), as it’ll help you to judge whether the sides are equal in length and how short you want to make them. I folded mine three times, but they are a long pair of shorts and I wanted them short, so it really depends on what your taste is.

An unflattering pair of shorts can be made into something wearable with a little craftiness

And here is the finished product

So, you see, it is as easy as pie and the shorts can be customised in a matter of minutes. I actually made mine this morning and wore them straightaway, spending the day relaxing in the sun and drinking copious amounts of ice cream soda.

DIYs

Easy DIYs: iPhone/iPod cover

July 17, 2012

Making a cover for your iPhone or iPod couldn’t be easier and can be done with any leftover remnants of fabric. The only thing you’ll need to make sure of is that it fits around your iPhone/iPod with enough room to allow for seams (it’s better to work with too much fabric rather than too little- if you’ve left too much fabric at the end you can always trim it). And, the great thing is that you can make as many of these as you like, so you can customise your iPhone/iPod to however you’re feeling.

What you’ll need:

-A fair amount of your chosen fabric (enough to cover and wrap around your iPhone/iPod, with at least an extra 2cm for seam allowance)

For the best results, measure the fabric against your iPhone or iPod. My fabric was 18.5cm by 14cm

-Sewing machine and thread (or thread and a needle if you want to make it by hand)

-Fabric scissors

-Ordinary scissors

-Pins

How to make:

1. Cut fabric to desired amount (I’d suggest you follow the above guidelines and measure against your iPhone/iPod. It’s also a good idea to keep measuring so that you know where you’re going with it)

It is easier to cut the fabric in half in order to sew

2. With the right sides of the fabric together, pin it in place and hem the tops of the fabric. Hemming can be done either by hand or by machine

Pinning fabric in place will help you keep the cover’s shape, but don’t pin too close to the top of the cover as it will need to be folded over and hemmed

3. Sew the sides and bottom of the cover in a straight stitch

Once you’ve sewn the rest of the cover, cut off any extra fabric and turn the right way around

4. Turn cover the right way around and voila, it’s made!

Voila, your iPhone/iPod cover is complete

When it’s finished you can decorate it how you like, perhaps by adding a strip of contrasting fabric

Additionally, you can add an envelope style opening to it if you want, by adding an extra two inches of fabric to the back of the cover at step one, folding it in and sewing. To fasten it you could sew a button to the front of your cover, create a buttonhole on the opening (I’d always recommend you do this by hand), or loop a piece of fabric to attach around the button. If that’s not your style, you could attach a clasp. There are many different kinds available at craft shops. Personally, I like mine the way it is, sans envelope style opening, as it makes it easier to reach in a hurry.

DIYs

Easy DIYs: A simple book bag

July 9, 2012

A book bag I made quite a while ago

Book bags are handy, versatile and easy to carry. They can be used in any circumstance and even stuffed into the bottom of another bag for any spontaneous shopping activities.

They are very easy to make as well. In fact, I don’t think making one requires any real skill or technical aptitude, so they’re the perfect DIY for any new crafters.

What you’ll need:

-Enough fabric to cover and wrap around a large magazine in a pattern of your choice, plus extra to make straps (It really doesn’t matter how large you want the bag. It can be tailored exactly to your preferences. Mine was 30cm in width and 36cm in length, so I started with a piece of fabric 64cm wide and 40cm long. Straps can also be as long or as short as you want, but I’d suggest they are at least 4cm wide)

-Sewing machine and thread (or thread and a needle if you want to make it by hand)

-Fabric scissors

-Ordinary scissors

-Pins

How to make:

1. Cut fabric to desired amount (you may want to measure against a magazine for the perfect length and width)

2. With the right sides of the fabric together, pin the bag in place around the edges, but leave the top of the bag open. When that is done, fold over the tops of the two sides of fabric and pin in place, ready to hem

3. Hem the top of the bag. This can be done either by hand or by machine

4. Sew the sides and bottom of the bag in a straight stitch

5. Take the fabric you’ve set aside for the straps. Fold in and pin each side by about a cm so that they will not fray. Sew to hold in place

6. Sew straps onto bag a couple of inches away from the edges of the bag. The straps need to be quite sturdy, so sew diagonally and make a cross pattern

7. Turn bag the right way around and admire your handiwork

Book bags are easy to make and can be made with a variety of fabrics