It is always useful to have some creative projects ready to go at any time of the year and this post is JAM-PACKED with ideas
If you need a reminder on how to set up your sewing machine? Click here for my latest video on getting you started.
- Rope Bowls
These are fun and cheap to make!! Once you have made one, you will be hooked.
What you need
- 10-15m of cotton rope (uncoated washing line is perfect – or 6mm piping cord), you will need to get your machine needle through it – so avoid solid plastic cores.
- Jeans or Leather Sewing machine needle (a size 90 would be great) – These are easy to buy from a fabulous British shop John James.
- Thread (you will need a couple of spools of thread and two wound bobbins)
- Sewing machine
- Fabric scraps cut into 1” x 5” rectangles (optional)
- Glue stick (optional)
How to do it
Watch me demonstrate how to make a rope bowl here.
2. Fantastic Pencil Case
Gather together scraps of fabric, two pieces of wadding (or an old tea t
What you need
- Scraps of fabric
- Two pieces of base material (wadding, tea towel etc) cut to 10” x 8”
- 12” zip
- Sewing Machine
How to do it
This is such a popular project that I have written a tutorial for it which is attached below.
3. Reusuable Make Up Wipes
This easy project has gripped my sewing classes for weeks. They have made them for themselves, for family members and wrapped them up as gifts.
What you need
- Absorbent natural material. I have used bamboo Terry Towelling fabric, but microfibre cloths from the pound shop would work just as well. See what you can find. Good ideas don’t need to be expensive!
- Wadding or an old tea towel to give the wipe structure.
- Fabric scraps
- Paper (A4 sheet or anything to make a pattern with)
- Circular item (to draw around – a tin of baked beans is good)
- Sewing machine
How to do it
For each circular
4. Drawstring Bags
These are really useful, versatile bags to make. You can fill them with toiletries, sweets or presents. You could even get ahead of the game for family birthdays or Mothers Day. They can also be scaled to any size.
What you need
- Exterior fabric 2 pieces 6” X 8.5” (for bag outer) and 2 pieces 2” x 5” (for ribbon casing)
- Lining Fabric 2 pieces 6” x 8.5”
- Ribbon – 2 pieces ribbon 15” long ( ¾” wide ribbon is about right)
- 2 large wooden beads (optional)
How to do it
Below is my cheat sheet on making these bags. I hope you enjoy making them!
5. Tie-Dyeing
This is not a messy activity any more. Dylon have washing machine dyes that you pour into the drum over your items, shut the door and run the machine on a normal 40’ wash. Afterwards, I run one high temperature wash with an empty machine and wipe around the seal and that is it. One batch of dye can dye a number of items, so this is a great group activity
What you need
- 100% cotton items to dye. T-shirts, tea towels, camisole tops, or plain fabric you can make into a scarf or bandana later on.
- Elastic Bands (lots and lots and more)
- Dye (from a hardware store)
How to do it
Soak the items in warm water and squeeze the water out as much as possible. Next put as many elastic bands on your item, and wind them as tightly as possible. The more bands you can get onto your item then better. Even when you think you are done – add more!!
Once all the bands are on, pop it in the washing machine with the dye, following the manufacturer’s instructions). When the washing machine is finished, take the item out and remove the bands and give it a good shake … Hey presto – a fabulous tie dye item. You can repeat the process using a second dye of a different colour the same item and this will produce some great blended patterns and shades.
For more ideas about tie-dye and the shapes you can make, have a look at my Pinterest Board here.
I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial. To keep up to date with all the other projects and tutorials I release, please like and follow my Facebook and Instagram pages.
