Truth be told, I hate buying gifts for my husband. There are a few reasons for this; first he always seems to get me things I never knew I wanted or surprise me with tickets to a fun show and I can never match his abilities. Also, if he wants something, he just buys it without thinking. When I ask him out right what he wants his classic response is, "I don't know, socks?" It feels so anticlimactic...
This year, I impulsively bought a little fridge because he has mentioned we should have a mini fridge for drinks (although I think he meant something a little bigger... hehe). Then I looked for cute ways to wrap the baby fridge and, frankly fell down an upcycling rabbit hole. It started with these sodas in little ties and shirt sleeves, then lead to a glasses case from a tie and finally a cotton bag for a couple of books I think he'll like. Take from my adventure whatever you like, because here is the tutorial for all of these ridiculously easy revamps.
Materials Needed:
- Button up cotton shirt
- Necktie
- Basic Sewing Tools: Scissors, Pins, Sewing Machine, Iron, Thread, etc.
- Ruler
- Snap for the glasses case
- Fabric Marker
Here is a Quick Tutorial for Studio 5:
Bottle Bag:
Ok this first project is the hardest of the 3 and it is still quite easy. Seriously, if you are super new to sewing this is definitely the project for you.
Step 1: Place your bottle on the sleeve and cut about 1/2" from the bottom.
Step 2: Turn the sleeve inside out and sew along the cut you just made.
Step 3: Open up the bottom and iron the corners (or pinch with your fingers to create a fold)
Step 4: Measure about 2.5" from the point of the seam and mark a line with a pencil.
Step 5: Sew along the line you just drew and then cut the corner off.
Step 6: Repeat steps 3-5 for the other side.
Step 7: Turn right side out and YOU ARE DONE!
Mini Tie:
This part is so simple it almost hurts. You'll need to do a quick zigzag stitch to prevent fraying or you can simply hit it with Fray Check.
Step 1: Make a Windsor knot on the small end of the tie.
Step 2: Adjust the tie to be the right length for the bottle.
Step 3: Cut off the big end of the tie.
Step 4: Zigzag stitch across the cut end of the tie
Sunglasses Case:
While we have the tie out, let's make use of the large side.
Step 1: Use the glasses to measure where to cut the tie. You may need to remove a tag. Also, the point will be a "lid" so make sure to leave enough room for it to fold over the glasses.
Step 2: Cut the tie, then turn the tie inside out and sew along the cut.
Step 3: Turn the case right side out and insert the glasses. Fold the point over the glasses and mark where to place a snap.
Step 4: Attach snap and that's it!
Button Bag:
The most skill required for this project is to sew a seam. It doesn't even have to be perfectly straight.
Step 1: Close the buttons on the shirt, then cut a rectangle from the front a little bigger than the size of bag you need.
- Make sure to include the buttons by cutting one side about 2" away from the buttons
- Also, leave some space for the seam to the sides of the buttons
Step 2: Cut another rectangle the same size for the back of the bag.
Step 3: Open up at lease one of the button, then, with right sides together, sew the rectangles together all the way around the outside edges.
Step 4: Trim any excess seam allowance, then turn right side out and be done.
Now fill with gifts and pat yourself on the back for a job well done!
Don't throw away those scraps! Use them to make yourself a little stuffie, some doll clothes or maybe even a zipper bag.