Regular readers may remember a post with 8 different ideas for upcycling crisp packets. At the time my husband suggested an apron, a google search later and it seems no one has made one. I am delighted to say I have created his idea – one DIY recycled crisp packet apron:)
I engaged my work colleagues in saving up empty crisp packets for me, to bring a wide variety of colours and designs.
Create your own Recycled Crisp Packet Apron
To make your own you will need:
- 35-40 different crisp packets
- Piece of fabric
- 3 meters of bias binding
- 1.5 meters of fabric tape (for ties)
- sellotape
To make:
Cut out background fabric – this will be the base you sew your crisp packets to. Use an existing apron as a guide, if you don’t have one to hand you could go free hand. I used the pattern pieces as a rough template from the book “Great British Sewing Bee” (this is the book from the first series, dare I confess it’s the first pattern I have used from it?!). It is 35″ long, 30″ wide at the bottom and 11″ at the top.
Layout your crisp packets, overlapping on each edge by a centimeter, check you are happy with the colour balance.
You may wish to photograph your lay out before removing all but the bottom layer.
Sellotape the top of the crisp packets to the lining. This holds them in place whilst you then stitch each bag down.
I suggest you have a practice on a spare crisp packet with a piece of your lining fabric – I found the tension on my machine needed a little adjusting. Lengthen the stitch to help prevent the packets ripping, if your packets do rip you may wish to place gaffa tape or masking tape on the back of the packets to strengthen them.
Sew your first layer down.
Layout the next layer – you may wish to ensure you keep your layers straight by measuring down from the top of the apron and marking a guideline with tailor’s chalk.
Once you have sewn all layers of packets onto the apron turn over to the lining side and stitch all round the edge.
Trim the crisp packets to the size of the lining.
Attach bias binding all round the apron, I held mine in place with clover clips (you could use pins or hair slides). Attach your ties (22″ long each) and neck tie (22″) under the bias binding as you go.
One finished apron – what would you make with crisp packets??
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This week I have been working away at my Etsy shop, updating and editing items for sale.
I have joined up to Thrive over at Etsy Preneurship ” I care about you and your business and I genuinely want to see you and your business thrive! I will provide you the tips, tools, and know-how you need to help your Etsy shop thrive! ”
Of course it is all well and good to pay for some advice, but it is another thing to find the time to implement it!! The first couple of months have been focussing on Search Engine Optimization, creating titles, descriptions and tags in order for your items to appear high up in search results.
Naturally this does not inevitably mean more sales, but it certainly increases the chances! I am gradually working my way through each section, updating as I go. For example my knitting needle cases are now tagged to appear under knitting needle organizer too:)
The photography remains a bug bear of mine, I find it so frustrating that it does not come naturally. This is not helped by the fact I would rather be sewing than playing around with different settings to see how to improve the image! Any photography tips appreciated:)
Inevitably I have become distracted and just HAD to sew up some new items!!
What do you think? I have been aiming at using fabric from my stash, and creating small cute bags:)
Plus the eagle eyed will notice a new button to the side – sign up to my newsletter and you gain a voucher for money off at my shop. I am so delighted to have set this up, it has been on the to do list for far too long!!
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My final make for kids clothes week is a t-shirt sundress.
Its quick and easy, have a go:)
DIY T Shirt Sundress
Start by cutting out the bodice part of the dress, either using a pattern or following the layout of an existing dress. Sew together the shoulder seams.
Cut out and add two layers of t-shirt fabric, this create the length of the skirt. Optimise the bottom of a t shirt for the bottom of the sundress, this saves hemming.
Decide on the width of the bottom of the dress, and stitch up to the bodice and on to the arm hole. I used a sun dress my daughter already owns as a template for pinning the side seams.
Once stitched turn right side out.
Decorate or leave plain the bodice. As my daughter loves hearts and decoration I decided to embroider a heart on the bodice piece following a paper template.
Finish the neckline and armholes by creating a binding with more of the t-shirt fabric following the tutorial over at Stitched By Crystal.
One completed sundress – my husband can’t quite believe he owned three different t shirts of almost identical colour!
As you can see my daughter loves this dress, its been worn every day despite the fact its winter here!
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