Things to make and do
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A
variety of things to make a do, recycling, renewing,
useful gifts etc.
Re-using
denim
Suggestions for
using old denim -
Today,
some friends and I took are old jeans and made
purses, we just took scissors and started cutting.
Be Creative! We also made shirts. To do
this, we used the leg to make a long strip to
wear around the top, then we used string to
use as straps! Again be Creative!
It's a lot of fun!
Anonymous
contributor.
Lovely
to hear from a 15 year old on this one.
She makes purses from her old jeans. Here
is her explanation as to how -
"Cut
the bottom off your jeans and sew the side that
you cut so the bottom part of the jeans becomes
the top part, then you have the beginning of
your bag. Cut the belt strap or just a
long piece for the strap of your purse.
You can also cut out a back pocket and then
sew that on to your purse so you have a pocket
on the outside but you could sew it on the inside."
Thanks
to Desiree for this one.
Making bags seems
to be the most popular suggestion for using
old denim as these are now a real fashion item
(or so I am told)!.
Anita
Segner sent these hints in - thankyou.
Lacy
bowls from crocheted doilies
Crocheted
doilies can be turned into lacy bowls which
can be used for sweets, pot pourri etc. by simply
stiffening them with a sugar and water solution.
Recipe
for solution
Place
4 fl. oz/115 ml sugar in a large bowl and stir
in 2 fl. oz/60ml of boiling water. Stir
for 3 minutes or until almost opaque.
This
recipe is enough to convert one 9 in./230 mm
doily - a fresh solution should be mixed for
each bowl.
Method
Dip
a dry doily into the solution, gently squeezing
it with your fingertips to ensure even distribution.
Repeat several times until it is thoroughly
soaked and then squeeze out the excess moisture.
Choose
a suitable bowl or dish as a mould and place
upside down on a towel. Stretch the wet
doily over the bowl and mould carefully into
shape and pin the edges to the towel with rustproof
pins. Leave until dry (at least six hours).
Unpin
edges and loosen the doily from the bowl by
wedging your fingers between the mould and the
doily working gently around the perimeter.
The
doily can be restored to its original shape
by holding under warm running water and squeeze
until it is no longer sticky, then wash in a
mild detergent.
Remnants
of fabric can be used for many things including
jar lid covers, napkins, gift bags for bottles
- the list is endless. Here are a few simple ones
which even the children can do -
Jar
lid covers - Give a jar that "homemade"
look
Trace
the jar lid on the wrong side of a piece of
suitable fabric, add 2"/50mm all round
and cut out (with pinking shears if possible).
Fix
some trimming (lace, binding or ribbon) around
the edge with latex glue or stitching.
Secure
the cover on the lid with a rubber band and
finish with a ribbon bow.
Napkins
Cut large remnants
of material into squares of 10in/250mm using
pinking shears. These will withstand several
washes before the edges fray - ideal for taking
on picnics or for themed evenings.
For a longer
lasting finish, edges can be hemmed.
Gift
Bags
Method
Cut a piece of
fabric at least 2ins/50mm longer and wider than
the bottle or gift you wish it to contain.
Fold over 1/2"
of material at the top edge and hem down.
Fold material
in half lengthwise with the wrong side facing
outwards and sew down the long edge and along
the bottom either by machine or running stitch.
Turn inside out
(so that the right side is now showing) and
press.
Insert gift into
bag and tie around top with ribbon or trimming.
The ribbon can
be threaded through the top hem if you so wish.
These bags can
be decorated by sticking on felt shapes, sequins
or sewing on buttons, letters etc. and can be
used for many different purposes e.g. children's'
toys, shoes, etc.
Fish
Tank Garden
Turn an old fish
tank into an indoor garden.
Fill tank with
water to check for any leaks, if there are any
seal with mastic sealant or transparent waterproof
tape.
Wash tank with
warm soapy water, rinse several times and polish
with a soft dry cloth.
To prevent damaging
any surface on which the finished garden is
to stand stick felt or polystyrene under the
bottom of the tank.
Spread a layer
of gravel to a depth of 1"/25mm (if the
original fish gravel is being reused ensure
it is washed well to remove any bacteria or
chemicals), then add a further 1"/25mm
of charcoal chips which will provide nutrients.
Fill tank with
sterilised potting soil to within about 5"/125mm
of the top.
Plant with some
healthy herbs, bulbs or other flowering plants
and water well so that the soil is moist but
not soggy.
Place finished
garden next to a sunny window.
Keep soil moist
but do not over water as there is no way for
the excess to drain away.
courtesy of
http://www.hintsandthings.co.uk/
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