Upcycle an Old Shirt – See what I made!

April 25, 2022April 26, 2022 - handmadejoy

Want to see some upcycle magic? See how I upcycled an old shirt into three new items. I loved the fabric and details of this shirt, but not the fit. I never wore it but didn’t want to get rid of it because I loved the colour and design so much. I started cutting and made three items from it that now get lots of use!

When you love the colour and fabric of a clothing item but not the fit, upcycling is the answer!

UPCYCLE
reuse (discarded objects or material) in such a way as to create a product of higher quality or value than the original.

Here is what I made from this ONE shirt:

1. Scrunchies

I used the bottom hem of the shirt to make scrunchies. I was able to make 2 scrunchies from the hem of this one shirt. I love the trim detail and used that as the outside edge of the scrunchie.

Here is my Favourite scrunchie tutorial from Martha Stewart.

2. Face Mask

To make this simple mask:

Cut out 2 – 6 x 9 inch rectangles
Sew right sides together leaving a 1 inch opening.
Turn right side out and stitch closed.
Fold sides and sew to create channel for elastic loops.
Insert elastic and tie knot to from loop.

3. Bowl Cover

I made a mixing bowl cover for my Kitchenaid Mixer bowl. This bowl cover gets a ton of use in my kitchen!

Here is a Mixing bowl cover tutorial from My Frugal Home.

What would you make out of an old shirt you no longer wear?

Bunny Backpack Sewing Tutorial

March 11, 2021February 22, 2022 - handmadejoy

Here is a sewing tutorial for these sweet bunny backpacks I made for my nephews. It is just a simple drawstring backpack, but the bunny ears and tail turn it into the cutest little Easter backpack!

They are a perfect gift bag for Easter goodies. Fill it with Easter goodies, books, and gifts for the perfect Easter Gift for the littles in your life.

Materials Needed:

2 x 14 inch by 16 inch rectangles of main fabric (I used white canvas)
4 x ear pieces ( 2 lining and 2 main fabric ) SEE PATTERN DOWNLOAD AT BOTTOM OF THIS POST
2 x 3 inch by 3 inch square in main fabric for drawstring loops
yarn to make pom pom or ready made pom pom
rope or cord for drawstring

NOTE: I used cotton canvas fabric to make these. My favourite canvas fabric is painters drop cloths! I buy the natural drop cloths like this one from Canadian Tire and bleach them. You end up with lots of great white canvas material perfect for sewing!

SEWING INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Cut out all of your fabric pieces.

2. Sew the ear pieces right sides together. Turn right side out and top stitch leaving the bottom unsewn. Fold the sides towards the centre, pin in place and than baste in place.

3. Fold top of bag over twice leaving room for your drawstring cord to fit through. Pin ears in place and stitch along bottom of the fold. This will be the front piece of your backpack.

4. Take your back fabric piece and fold over twice and stitch along bottom of fold to create drawstring casing. Sew on the pom pom tail.

5. Now you will sew the drawstring loops. Fold 3 x 3 inch squares in half and sew. Turn right side out. Pin in place at bottom sides of bag.

6. Put back of bag and front of back right sides together and sew sides and bottom of bag together. Turn right way out.

7. Insert your drawstring cord through one loop and up through the drawstring and down through the other loop. Repeat in other direction going through other side of drawstring casing at the top. Tie knots in the ends of your drawstring.

DIY Pom Pom

Making your own pom poms is easy! Here is a link to a great video tutorial by Sheep & Stitch

Use whatever yarn you have at home and you can wrap the yarn around cardboard, or whatever you find at home that works. I wrapped chunky weight yarn around a potato masher to make mine!

Bunny Ear Pattern

If you make a bunny backpack I would love to see it! Tag me on Instagram @handmadejoydesigns #handmadejoyblog

Check out my other Sewing tutorials:

Candy Wrapper Zippered Pouch Tutorial

March 10, 2021October 2, 2022 - handmadejoy

Being stuck at home these last few months has given me lots of time to craft with my kids. I have enjoyed having the time to teach them to sew. This is a project they loved. It is a fun and easy beginner sewing project! My oldest, 13 & 10, made them by themselves. My six year old did the cutting and contact paper and then I helped him sew it together.

Yes you can sew plastic with a sewing machine! My kids were completely amazed by this! It will dull your needle, so remember to replace your needle after this project.

You will need :

– candy wrapper

– clear contact paper

– zipper

Cut your candy wrapper at the sides and bottom so you have a front and back for your zippered pouch. Then apply clear contact paper to the front of both pieces.

Next place your wrapper facing down and sew along one side of the zipper.

Place other side of wrapper facing down and sew along other side of zipper.

NOW UNZIP YOUR ZIPPER HALF WAY (don’t skip this step!) so you can turn it right side out after the next step!! Sew along the sides and bottom of your pouch.

Turn it right side out and you now have a zipped pouch! Perfect to use as a pencil pouch or whatever you want. It is a great DIY gift idea for kids to make for their friends too.

Among Us Plushie Pattern – Sewing Project for Kids

November 25, 2020April 20, 2022 - handmadejoy

All of the extra time spent at home on the weekends has given me lots of time to craft with the kids. They have started playing the game Among Us so I came up with this plushie pattern for them. Made out of felt, this is an easy sewing project for kids.

Sewing is an excellent handicraft for kids of all ages! This project can used with hand sewing or machine sewing.

My oldest two who are 10 & 12 made it by themselves. However, even younger kids can make this easily with a little help! My 6 year old cut out the pieces and operated the foot pedal while I guided the fabric in the sewing machine.

I used a sewing machine for this project but this would also be a great project for hand sewing. Felt is great for beginner sewing because the edges do not fray.