Trash to treasures

Turn your trash into treasured gifts!!

Materials:

Soda cans
Scraps of two fabrics - 1" strips
Steam a Seam fusible web
Felt
Heavyweight craft interfacing
Basic sewing supplies

 Instructions:



Wash out the soda can, turn it over onto a dry cloth and let it drip dry.


Cut the can apart using craft scissors (no, not your sewing scissors) along the top and bottom edge of the can. Be careful not to cut your fingers as the edges can be quite sharp.


Press fusible web to the back of the metal. Using a rotary cutter, mat and ruler, cut 3-inch squares.


Remove the paper backing from the metal square and press it to the center of a 5-inch square of scrap cotton fabric.


Cut 1-inch wide strips from two complementary fabrics.


With right sides together, stitch the solid color strips of fabric along both sides of the 3-inch square, stitching through the scrap fabric base. Trim the strips even with the top and bottom edges of the metal square. Press the fabric away from the metal center piece. Repeat, stitching additional strips to the top and bottom edges of the 3-inch square, trimming and pressing the strips away from the center.


Repeat, stitching the second row of fabric strips to the outside edges of the first row of sewn strips. Trim and press the second row away from the metal center piece. You have created the top layer of the coaster.


Layer the following together, right sides up. The top layer of the coaster is a 5-inch square of heavyweight craft double-sided fusible interfacing and a 5-inch square of felt. Press well.


Sew through all layers of the coaster, stitching between the two rows of fabric strips and then again 1/4 inch in from the outside edge of the coaster fabric.


Trim close to the outside stitching lines using pinking or scalloped scissors.

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Materials:

colored glass recycled bottles or vases

Jacquard ExtravOrganza

spray adhesive (Test on tissue paper or sheer fabric to make sure it doesn't bleed through.)

digital photos

scrap cardboard or paper - to protect your work surface 

Steps:

You will want to size your photos so they willll fit your recycled bottles or vases. Keep in mind you can use 2 or more photos on the larger bottles front & back or that a vertical view may be better suited to your bottle. Print several photos per sheet of ExtravOrganza or other type of paper to minimize waste. It is best to test your photo size and layout on regular paper first.


After printing your photos on the ExtravOrganza or paper from your printer, resist the urge to peel the paper backing until you've cut the photos to size. The fabric is much easier to cut with the backing still in place. Leaving an edge for fraying is optional. Remove the backing and fray any edges you like. Hold the silk photos against the vases to determine the best color combination & which background color makes your photo more vivid or most pleasing.


In a well ventilated area, lay out your silk photos, one or two at a time, face down on your scrap cardboard or paper. If you want any fringe to be loose on the vase, mask off the fringed area with scrap paper before spraying the adhesive. Spray a light, even coat of adhesive over the photos. Carefully place your photos onto the vases and continue until your bottle/vase supply is exhausted.


Think of the possibilities! Themed party favors, gifts for friends and neighbors, and display your scenic vacation photos, all easily completed in no time at all!