I am currently in the process of making a cover for our lounge. While the lounge is structurally sound, the fabric cover has seen better days. Stains, tears, fading, wear… it doesn’t look so good.

When I’m done, I’ll write more about how I went about recovering the lounge. Today is all about the zippers on the cushion covers.

I had originally intended to buy a couple of zippers. Instead I had a brain wave in the eleventh hour and decided to reuse the old zippers – the free alternative.

To remove an old zipper, grab a seam ripper and cut through the stiches holding the zip in place. In my case, I chose to sew up the seam left by removing the zipper. You can see by the state of the cushion why I had no qualms tearing out the zippers.

One of the zippers had separated long ago. If you’re wondering how to fix a separated zipper, here’s a YouTube video that explains it quite well. Try as I might though, the zipper would not go back together and after further reading, I found out this was an issue with the slider. Sure enough, a pair of pliers and a few attempts later, the slider broke in half.

This was not the end of that zipper though! I was pretty determined to get that darn thing fixed (after all it is the perfect sized zipper for the cushion and it is free).

You know that packaging you get when you buy sheets or mattress protectors or a whole host of other things?

I cannot bring myself to get rid of these bags. They are great for storage as well as a source of free zippers – just cut the zip to length and sew across each end to stop the slider from falling off. In this particular instance, I cut off just the slider and attached it to my zip.

Voila! Zipper fixed!

As for the rest of the vinyl bag, I can cut off the handles for to use in other sewing projects and I plan to use the plastic to sew a see-through pencil case for the little fella,with a zipper reclaimed from a pair of beloved (but torn across the bottom) shorts.

And here’s the zip in it’s new home – a good match colour wise too.

And the work in progress lounge cover:

If you are wondering, the fabric for the lounge cover is a painter’s cotton drop sheet from Bunnings, but more on that when I’ve finished the cover.

Have you read these articles?:

1. tip tuesday – wash your plastic bags
2. tip tuesday–desk drawer organisers
3. tip tuesday – starting a craft box for the kids

A recipe that’s a little different today – something that is edible, but not something to eat.

Homemade play dough is a fraction of the cost of store bought, is something that can be whipped up in minutes (with or without the kid’s help) yet can keep children amused for hours.

Play dough is definitely a favourite activity in our house. It keeps the little fella happily amused rolling and cutting or just pressing matchbox cars into it. Sometimes he will cook me play dough sausages and pancakes in a little toy frypan he has. Other times we will make ‘worms’ by pressing the dough through a garlic press.

If the little fella wants to help me cook dinner and I would prefer him not to help (like when I’m cutting up raw chicken or I’m feeling a little frazzled), I get a clean chopping board and a small knife and let him stand on a chair and practice chopping his play dough beside me. Maybe it’s the change of location, or being able to cook ‘with’ mum, but it means we can work in companionable proximity without him getting in the way.

I tend to make up a batch of play dough and then divvy it out a quarter at a time, keeping the rest in an air tight container in the pantry. This makes it last a bit longer – it doesn’t take long before the dough is full of dirt cat hair, despite the fact that our cat ran away over a month ago. If left out, the dough dries out pretty quickly. I keep it in a little airtight container on the little fella’s table. Even in the direct sun, once it’s in the container it will stay pliable.

Method

1. Add all dry ingredients to a bowl. In a jug, combine the wet ingredients and then pour into the dry ingredients.
2. Mix until the dough comes together then turn out onto the bench and knead lightly until smooth (good job for the kids although check that it isn’t too hot first).
3. Depending on the flour or how much food colouring you add, the dough may come out a little sticky. If the dough is too sticky, knead in a little extra flour until you have a smooth dough.

Have you read these articles?:

1. Easy Shortcrust Pastry
2. easy ‘what am i going to cook tonight’ pasta
3. tip tuesday–easy, healthy toddler snack

Recycled glass jars are great for storing all sorts of things, from pantry staples to nails in the garage. They are also make cheap drinking glasses in a pinch.

But there are many other uses for recycled glass jars as the tutorials below demonstrate.

If you’re like me and have trouble throwing out glass jars, here’s a few creative ideas for reusing them.

Soap dispenser @ Blissfully Content	Pin cushion jar @ Martha Stewart	Oil lamp @ Raised in Cotton
Hanging storage @ Liz Marie Blog	Magnetic spice jars @ DAV.I.SON	Craft storage @ Good Housekeeping
Soy candles @ Soap Queen	Jar herb garden @ The Charlotte	Tea light holders @ Mark Montano
Chalkboard labels at The Flibbertigibbert	Boredom jar @ Somewhat Simple	Mason jar lantern @ Intimate Weddings
Ideas for jar decoration @ Too Much Time	Jar planter @ Not Just a Housewife	Gift hamper in a jar @ Home for the Holidays
Add a spout @ The Cheese Chef	Drink jar @ 3191 Miles Apart	Cup cakes in a jar @ Cookies and Cups
Gardener’s hand soap @ Create Studio	Sugar scrub in a jar @ Maybe Matilda	Cookies in a jar @ Intimate Weddings

Have you read these articles?:

1. recycled paper craft roundup
2. gifts for men–12 weeks of christmas crafting roundup
3. up-cycled pallet roundup – transforming old pallets

Despite it being the regular hot and humid February in Queensland, I have the urge to knit. I blame it on overseas blogs, who, in the midst of winter (and what a snowy winter), are currently showcasing all their latest knits.

And I’m excited because this time round I’m having a Winter baby, so I can put down the dishcloths and try my hand at some baby clothes. I grew up down south where Winters are cold. While I don’t miss the cold so much, I miss the snuggling up in knits and getting warm part of Winter.

There are a trillion knitted patterns for babies out there on the internet – these are just a few I’ve been looking at over the last couple of weeks.

P.S. Lion Brand Yarn have over 4,000 patterns for free, but you have to sign up to their website. Some of there patterns are really, really nice.

Baby booties @ The Purl Bee	Yoked sweater @ Carole’s Baby Knits	Knitted baby vest @ Sam Lamb
Baby beenie @ Making Good Use	Snuggle wrap @ Stitch me Softly	Pebble vest @ The Thrifty Knitter
Baby blanket @ Altadnea’s Baby Designs	Pinwheel baby blanket @ Knitlist	Easy baby jumper @ The Purl Bee
Squares baby blanket @ Vintage Mamma Sews	Daisy Jumper @ Baby Projects	Baby leg warmers @ Dayna’s Knits
Baby Socks @ Plymouth Yarn	Baby vest @ Drops Design	Striped baby cardigan @ Dove Knits

[Top image source]

Have you read these articles?:

1. gifts for children – 12 days of christmas crafting round up
2. crafting for baby – a few non-essential items
3. winter wool projects part four – knitting roundup

The other day I read a great post on Down to Earth about planning for repairs and replacement items around the home. While we have an emergency fund, and we save each pay day for a lot of different bills, I had forgotten to put aside money for things like new towels and sheets, or tap washer repairs.

And we could do with some new sheets.

Have you ever mended sheets? I have never thought to mend sheets, partly because I didn’t know how and partly because the sheets we often end up with are cheap poly-cotton ones that become threadbare before tearing and are beyond repairable.

And I always wonder about the comfort of sleeping on a darned bit of sheet.

If you’re wondering, like I was, about how to mend sheets, check out the comments section in the Down to Earth article, there is a wealth of information from women who have much more experience in mending sheets than me. I learned a lot from them!

If, on the other hand, your sheets are beyond repair (like mine are getting), then here are some ideas for ways to recycle old sheets.

Use old sheets for sewing new things

Old sheets, particularly vintage linen (why can’t I ever find vintage linen?) in patterns you love or 100% cotton sheets, are great for all sorts of crafting. Things like:

• clothing
• aprons
• quilts
• napkins
• rag rugs
• table linen
• pillow cases
• cot sheets
• cushion covers
• lounge covers
• ironing board cover
• curtains
• pet bedding
• gift wrapping
• bags…

you’re only limited by your imagination.

The bag pictured above was made from an old sheet. I actually made it while I was in labour with the little fella (nearly two years ago) and I use it for the groceries still. It’s very strong, despite being cheapo poly-cotton (or maybe because of it). I used this pattern to make the bag but added tabs at the top to make it easier for the shop assistant to put in their bag frame and I made the handles a little longer than a normal plastic shopping bag. I keep meaning to make more – they are very convenient.

On another note, I was thinking of making the little fella this tepee for Christmas, but when I sat down and actually read the fabric requirements, it was going to cost a fortune, even in cheap calico! I’m on the lookout now for thrifted sheets or blankets to make a similar tepee for a lot less.

and… keep things clean with old sheets

Ok, so you can cut up old sheets to use as rags, but what else? Old sheets are great for painter’s drop cloths (for painting the house or going under a child’s easel), furniture covers, play mats and covering furniture when moving house. You can also cut them up and use them as garment bags in your wardrobe.

I like to sew, particularly quilt (when I get time) and while I have a decent stash of fabric from the days before baby, the truth is that fabric is expensive and I don’t want to let that stop me. Thrifted fabric, like old sheets, gives me the best of both worlds – I can continue to do the craft I love on a tight budget and it’s green.

Do you mend old sheets? What ways do you recycle your sheets?

Have you read these articles?:

1. 24 Creative Ways to Recycle Cardboard Milk Cartons
2. 12 creative ways to make money
3. ways with recycled glass jars roundup

We were at the garbage tip a few weeks ago when we came across a HUGE mountain of discarded wood and a big sign, written in angry red paint that said ‘NO SCAVENGING ALLOWED.’

It was a travesty to drive away without bringing home at least as much as what we were leaving behind (which was garden waste, by the way. At least they turn that into mulch, which we can then buy back ).

In that mound there were old fence palings, hundreds of pallets, old wardrobes, broken tables and all sorts of assorted wood pieces, just waiting to be reclaimed and tended to with a little TLC.

DH is pretty handy with woodworking, he has made a few tables and furniture pieces in the past, and my mind was racing at all the lovely new furniture we could have in our home, knocked up from a few old (and free) bits of scavenged wood.

Google doesn’t help matters.

I’ve spent hours drooling over repurposed furniture. I thought I would share some of what I’ve come across. Many of these links aren’t tutorials, but pictures of what people have built, meant to inspire rather than instruct.

Apparently, upcycling pallets was all the rage a while back. Seems I’m behind the trend. Oh well. Here are some instructions on how to handle pallet wood, and this is a YouTube video explaining how to work around the nails. And to be on the safe side, this article warns against using pallet wood.

Garden work table @ Root Simple	Garden Planter @ Instructables	Potting bench @ Grow Damnit!
Pallet table @ Pierson Park Community Garden	Compost Bin @ Landscape + garden Design	Patio table @ Today’s Nest
Crate on wheels @ My Simple Home Life	Coffee table @ Esprit Cabane	Day bed @ Casa Sugar
Pallet bench @ Design Sponge	Pallet headboard @ Lovely Crafty Home	Painted pallet coffee table @ MAKE
Pallet book shelf @ Relic Interiors	Pallet chair (video) @  MAKE	Kid’s bookshelves @ Little Lucy Lu
Plate rack @ Apartment Therapy Re-Nest	Pallet work desk @ Funky Junk Interiors	Chalkboard shelf @ Too Much Time on My Hands
Mini Pantry @ The Creative Collage	Coffee table @ noe pa hjertet	Dining table with instructions @ Re-Nest
Pallet garden @ Life on the Balcony	Pallet feature wall @ Mom and Her Drill	Pallet reading bed @ Ashely Ann Photography
Pallet planter @ Esprit Cabane	Pallet chairs @ Materialicious	Pallet rocker @ Instrucables

Have you read these articles?:

1. repurposing and upcycling junk roundup
2. ways with recycled glass jars roundup
3. diy pillow cover tutorial roundup

According to Wikipedia, tea towels (otherwise known as kitchen towels or dish towels) are so named because they were special cloths reserved for the lady of the house to dry her expensive china tea set. Servants were not usually entrusted with such a delicate task.

I have to say, our tea towels fall well short of clean and delicate. More like grubby and unironed, despite the rule in out house that they be used to dry clean dishes only.

Nice tea towels, however, add a little homeliness to your kitchen or make great gifts, especially as part of a hamper (and you are thinking about your Christmas crafting now, aren’t you?).

Some of the tutorials are more for kitchen hand towels than tea towels as such; we use both in our kitchen.

The tea towel pictured above, by the way, I made for a tea towel and pot holder swap on the Down to Earth blog a couple of years ago now.

On to the tutorials…

Week day towels @ Posie Gets Cozy	Patchwork towel @ Supafine	BBQ towel @ Craft Whatever
Printed towel @ Elsie Marley	Edged towels @ Crazy Mom Quilts	No slip towel @ Martha Stewart
Fancy towels @ The Little Birdie Blog	Ruffled towel @ Flamingo Toes	Reverse appliqué towels @ Crafter Hours
Monogramed towels @ Live a Little Wilder	Prairie Point Edge @ Pleasant Home	Ribbon embellished  towel @ Aesthetic Nest
Tucked towel @ Miss Abigail’s Hope Chest	Ruffled edge towel @ House of Chic and Penoche	Kid’s art towel @ Hazelnuts
Two custom towels @ Oh My Handmade Goodness	Patchwork towel @ Sew Mama Sew	Monday to Friday towels @ The Vintage Sheet Blog
Quick dish towels @ The Purl Bee	Rise and Shine towel @ Make it Do	Stay put towel @ Pin Sew Press
Hanging towels @ Kleio’s belly	Towel / Pot holder in one @ Domesticated	Crocheted edge towel @ Miss Abigail’s Hope Chest

Have you read these articles?:

1. make your own pants tutorial round up
2. for the home–12 days of christmas crafting round up
3. diy pillow cover tutorial roundup

Bags. Lots of them. It’s been nearly two years since I did the last bag roundup and a few of the links have gone dead. It seems that making bags is really popular, so here are a whole heap more free tutorials.

The thing I love most about all these tutorials is that you can mix and match sewing techniques to make your own creation that suits your needs perfectly. So if you can’t find the perfect bag, why not use the ones below as inspiration and design your own perfect bag.

Between the two posts there are nearly one hundred bag tutorials – heaps to get you sewing!

*The only pattern that is not free is the 241 tote from Noodlehead via Punkin Patterns. I had to include it because I love the pattern and I love Punkin Patterns version of it – such pretty colours!

Fold up tote @ Zaaberry	Catch all bag @ Sewing Steph	Anthropologie bag knockoff @ Em-agination
Ruffled makeup bag @ See Kate Sew	Wet bag @ The Polka-Dot Umbrella	Easy tote @ Needle and Spatula
The craft ‘tee’ tote @ Liberate Creativity	Fat quarter handbag @ Sew Mama Sew	The Grandview bag @ The Boy Trifecta
Kid’s backpack @ At Second Street	Placemat bag @ Blessings Overflowing	Quick tote @ Andie Johnson Sews
Cute money pouch @ By Night	Reversible tote with adjustable strap @ Craft Passion	Ruffles Handbag @ How Joyful
Super quick upcycled beach bag @ Craftzine	Oilcloth grocery tote @ The Purl Bee	The Joy-Nicole bag @ Fishsticks and Fries
Computer bag @ By Night	Lunch bag @ CT Pub Blog	Easy travel cosmetics bag @ Everyday Mom
Revisable bucket bag @ Sew Mama Sew	Fat quarter tote @ Moda Bake Shop	Messenger bag @ Crafty Staci
Reversible hobo bag @ Simply Modern Mom	Blanket bag combo @ The Sewing Republic	Stylish grocery bag @ Sew4Home
241 tote via Punkin Patterns	Repurposed t-shirt bag @ Art Threads	Summer tote with pockets @ Kojo Designs
Leftover block envelope bag @ Buzzing & Bumbling	DSi case @ From and Igloo	Repurposed drawstring bag @ Monkey See, Monkey Do
Sandwich bag @ Pieced Goods	Snack bags @ Little Black Teapot	Blanket to backpack @ Sun Scholars
Messenger bag @ Punkin Patterns	Travel messenger bag @ Stash Books	Spring tote @ Versus
Knitting bag @ Versus	Drawstring backpack @ Prudent Baby	Swing bag @ The Polka Dot Umbrella
Upcycled t-shirt purse @ Come Together Kids	Camera bag + tote + … @ Moda Bake Shop	Wasp bag and matching wallet @ Gluesticks

Like this post? Why not share it through your favourite bookmarking site by clicking on one of the icons below.

Have you read these articles?:

1. 45 Awesome Free Bag Making Tutorials
2. finding time to craft part three–organising your projects–a project bag tutorial
3. Beach Bag For Christmas

As I mentioned yesterday, the picture on the right is one of the project bags that I have been making to keep all of my current projects in. The idea is to hang each bag in the wardrobe on a coat hanger, ready to grab at a moments notice so that I can be crafting in no time.

Because I am working on quite a few projects at once, the bags have a plastic sleeve on the front for a removable cardboard label, this way I can easily distinguish between projects. The labelled bags would also make good storage bags.

While I would usually recommend making this bag out of an old sheet rescued from the rag bag, (especially because it’s just as storage bag), I’ve had this fabric in my stash for years and I thought it was time to use it. Actually, I love the way the bags turned out, I’ll be making some more ‘general use’ totes in the same size and fabric, but without the label.

The label sleeves are made from recycled plastic vinyl packaging. The cardboard inserts are also recycled. If use old sheets or other recycled material, you can make these bags for free (bar the few cents worth of thread).

The tutorial is in downloadable PDF format. You can click here or on the picture to download.

Not the kind of bag you’re looking for? Tomorrow’s post is another bag tutorial roundup from around the web with lots of new bag designs to try. I love sewing bags and I might just be able to squeeze in some extra sewing time!

Have you read these articles?:

1. finding time to craft part two – making the most of your time
2. finding time to craft Part One–making time
3. finding the time to declutter

I used to have the luxury of being able to spend all weekend sewing if I felt like it. At the moment, time is in short supply and (apart from Wednesday nights) I have to snatch a few minutes during nap time to craft or sew late in the evenings. So, I have to make the most of any crafting time I have.

Do you have the same issue?

When you’ve managed to carve out some time for yourself to work on your favourite projects or indulge in your hobby, you want to maximise your crafting time and minimise fussing time.

I know, hobbies are about relaxing, taking things easy, enjoying your time and the process. But there is a difference between relaxing and mucking around because you can’t find what you need. Between feeling like you’ve accomplished something and feeling like you didn’t get into your project as much as you wanted. The tips below are for making the most of your crafting time.

Keeping track of your projects

Got lots of projects on the go? Keep seeing patterns for things that you would love to make? Too many things to do, not enough time?

One of the best ways to keep track of your project or projects is to keep a project journal.

A project journal is:

• A place to keep track of the things you want to do in the future.
• A place to jot down ideas, paste inspiring pictures, make sketches.
• A place to note down where you are up to in your current project and what you need to do next (this is particularly useful if you have several projects on the go at once or you have a lot of time between craft sessions).
• A place to journal your thoughts about your work.
• A place to explore design.
• A place to note down interesting techniques and how tos.

The best kind of project journal is a cheap scrapbook or notebook with unlined pages where you can write, draw and glue. Keep it somewhere accessible with your favourite writing materials. Give each project it’s own page or more if you need it and title and date the page for future reference.

If you prefer to work on the computer (or you have a lot of online projects), an electronic journal can either be a substitute for or compliment your paper journal. I’ve tried a few note taking applications (Evernote is the most popular free option), but I still find Microsoft’s OneNote the best and use it everyday for a variety of purposes.

Using your project journal to keep track of your project

There are two ways a project journal helps maximise craft time. The first is that at the end of your craft session, you can note down where you’re up to in your project and what you need to do next so that when you next get a crafting moment, you can check your journal and then dive right in.

I first came across this way of using a journal not from a crafter, but from a novel writer. If your hobbies tend to the more cerebral and less tactile, like writing, then a project book can be very useful to keep track of ideas.

The other way your project journal can maximise craft time is by allowing you to immerse yourself in your project at non-crafting moments, keeping the passion alive, so to speak. Maybe you can sketch patterns or jot down ideas on your commute to work. Or take notes about design while you’re cooking dinner. Or plan your crafting time while you’re waiting for your child’s nap time.

Maybe you can capture that illusive idea before you forget it.

I’ve read about keeping a creative journal for years and never gave it a go. I now find it a really useful tool to have. And there is an unexpected bonus: I find that I’m more creative now, even though I have less time, because I have a space to explore ideas, to write them down before I forget them and to just give value to those ideas that I might have otherwise not given credence to, and let them grow.

Organising your tools to maximise project time

Because time is short, I want to spend as much time as I have crafting and as little time as possible finding my tools, setting up and clearing away at the end. My solution is to store everything I need to get crafting in a large box. All I need to do is grab the box, plug in the sewing machine and away I go.

Our greengrocer gives us the option of packing our fruit and veg in boxes rather than plastic bags. As well as reducing plastic, taking home boxes means we have plenty to use around the house. Of course, you can use store bought containers with lids, but the beauty of veg boxes is that they are free, they aren’t plastic and they’re recycled (and recyclable). Of course, if you have a spare room or space where you don’t have to pack away your stuff when craft time is over, then the box isn’t needed.

The tools in my box include:

• Sewing machine
• Foot and power cord
• Extension cord
• Cutting mat
• Ruler
• Scissors and rotary cutter
• Pins
• Spare needles
• Un-picker, extra feet, pencil etc
• Thread
• Bobbins
• Pen and paper
• Small lunchbox with hand sewing needles and thread etc

When you only have an hour to sew, you don’t want to be searching for your pins or an extension cord. In the time it takes to steep my tea, I can be all set up and ready to sew and I can have it all packed away in a couple of minutes with the dining table cleared and everything out of reach of the little fella. The box can be quickly stashed away on a shelf in the cupboard.

This same idea can work whatever your project is, although some hobbies might need a bigger box. Scrapbooking? Put all your tools together in a box. Writing a novel? Again have all the tools you need together and ready to go.

If your hobby has many small tools and parts, you may want to further organise them into small containers or compartment containers (like a fishing tackle box) to save you rummaging around looking for what you need. Use labels on your containers. If time is short, you want to be as organised as possible to maximise your project time and minimise set up and pack up time.

Organising your materials to maximise project time

Of course, as well as your tools, you need to have the materials you’re working on, your pattern, templates, and any project specific tools ready to go too. If you only work on one project at once, then keep your materials in the box with your tools.

If, on the other hand, you have several projects on the go like I do, a project bag in which to keep your materials comes in handy. Of course, an old plastic grocery bag works well, but tomorrow I will share a tutorial on how I make my project bags.

The idea is that you want to be able to grab your materials easily (along with your tools) when your crafting session starts and then store them away quickly and neatly when your crafting session is over, minimising fussing time.

I like the idea of a project bag because I can hang each bag on a coat hanger in the cupboard. Each project is neatly away and out of the reach of small hands while I’m not working on it.

Don’t forget to organise your materials within your project bag for maximum efficiency. In regards to patchwork that might mean putting each sized piece for your blocks in a separate, smaller bags. Or you may want to sort and store scrapbooking paper and embellishments in separate zip-lock bags, or whatever materials are relevant to your hobbies.

Organising your flow to maximise project time

When I quilt, particularly if I’m starting a new project, I like to make an entire block or two to see how it’s going to look. It’s exciting to watch your project unfold rather than waiting until the end to see how it’s going to look. However, when time is short, it is more efficient to batch your tasks.

As far as patchwork goes, the different tasks that go into making a quilt top include:

• prewashing and ironing fabric
• making the pattern
• cutting your fabric
• sewing
• pressing
• more sewing and more pressing etc

Rather than trying to do everything at once, each of these processes can be done during different craft sessions (and some at other times). When it comes to piecing a block, for instance, I don’t get the ironing board out every craft session to press my seams, I do all the sewing that I can and press the seams whenever I have the board out to iron our clothes. And then I might make the most of TV time by doing a heap of pinning so that I have pieces ready to go.

To organise your flow, think about all the tasks you need to do to complete a project and plan your craft time around each task.

But what if you’re up to cutting your fabric and you don’t feel like cutting? That’s where having more than one project on the go is a good thing. You can choose which project to work on based on what you feel like doing (it is your fun time, after all).

Tomorrow I have a tutorial to share on how to make your own project bags with removable labels, for easy project organisation and storage.

What are your tips for making the most of your craft time?

Have you read these articles?:

1. finding time to craft Part One–making time
2. finding time to craft part three–organising your projects–a project bag tutorial
3. finding the time to declutter