Two Eggs, over scrappy...
I have a weird habit when I sew.
All of the fabric scraps that I trim off my projects are dropped into a basket that sits next to each machine. This is to keep me from dropping said scraps right onto the floor... a bad habit I’ve picked up from working in professional shops, where they have special elves that come in the night to sweep up after you. No such creatures dwell in my workroom, so I have developed the basket system to keep my space in some sort of order.
But here’s the thing… after the trimmings are in the basket, they don’t go anywhere. I don’t throw them out with the rest of the workshop trash, they just stay in the basket. Poor languishing strips of nylon, cotton and batting patiently waiting to be used or mercifully disposed of. What am I saving them for? We are talking ¼ and ½ inch strips of fabric!! I fully admit to suffering from “Why toss it when you might be able to use it someday!- syndrome” But seriously, what could this stuff be used for? Well, how funny you should ask! How about some super cute, Easter decorations to celebrate the onset of spring. That’s right, you heard me.
I was inspired by an article in Creative Home about Quilt Designer Denyse Schmidt and her new book- Denyse Schmidt Quilts. Apparently she can’t throw her fabric scraps away either (Ha!) and uses hers to make decorative balls. The pink bulb popped on above my head, when I realized I had some Styrofoam egg shapes lying around… perfect!
First I sorted my scraps, tossing the truly useless ones, and dividing things up by colors.
I used the batting scraps to pad out my styro-eggs. This is a completely optional step, but I like how the batting made the eggs soft to hold… plus I might as well use those scraps too! Make sure the batting does not distort your egg shape. Wrap from base to tip, keeping the thicker pieces near the bottom. Secure any loose ends with fast drying glue, such as my beloved Magna-Tac.
I used strips of knit fabric next, to cover the entire egg. Again, wrap vertically, base to tip. The knit fabric is great since you can stretch it to control the batting fullness and retain your eggy silhouette. Secure your loose ends at the base if the egg with glue. I used solid colors of the knit fabric. You can keep it all the same color, or mix! But don’t let it get too busy, since this is just your first layer.
For the next layer I used 2 coordinating strips of cotton print. If you use larger egg-forms you can use more strips. I wrapped one from the base, all the way around, and then wrapped the other so that the two strips meet perpendicularly at the tip of the egg. Secure the strips at the base.
Finally, I used colorful yarn to wrap the entire egg in a haphazard pattern. Leave a tail at the end so you have a place to tie off as you go to keep things secure. When you are done, trim the tail.
Add a string at the top to hang as an ornament, or just display in a bowl.
Voila! Egg-cellent! They are little shabby-chic, a little punk-rock, and totally adorable!
This is a great craft to do with kids, and can be applied to any styro-shape for pretty much any occasion! Let your imagination go!
Trashed turned to trinkets...that's Thinking Pink!
Happy Spring!
-Becca
All of the fabric scraps that I trim off my projects are dropped into a basket that sits next to each machine. This is to keep me from dropping said scraps right onto the floor... a bad habit I’ve picked up from working in professional shops, where they have special elves that come in the night to sweep up after you. No such creatures dwell in my workroom, so I have developed the basket system to keep my space in some sort of order.
But here’s the thing… after the trimmings are in the basket, they don’t go anywhere. I don’t throw them out with the rest of the workshop trash, they just stay in the basket. Poor languishing strips of nylon, cotton and batting patiently waiting to be used or mercifully disposed of. What am I saving them for? We are talking ¼ and ½ inch strips of fabric!! I fully admit to suffering from “Why toss it when you might be able to use it someday!- syndrome” But seriously, what could this stuff be used for? Well, how funny you should ask! How about some super cute, Easter decorations to celebrate the onset of spring. That’s right, you heard me.
I was inspired by an article in Creative Home about Quilt Designer Denyse Schmidt and her new book- Denyse Schmidt Quilts. Apparently she can’t throw her fabric scraps away either (Ha!) and uses hers to make decorative balls. The pink bulb popped on above my head, when I realized I had some Styrofoam egg shapes lying around… perfect!
First I sorted my scraps, tossing the truly useless ones, and dividing things up by colors.
I used the batting scraps to pad out my styro-eggs. This is a completely optional step, but I like how the batting made the eggs soft to hold… plus I might as well use those scraps too! Make sure the batting does not distort your egg shape. Wrap from base to tip, keeping the thicker pieces near the bottom. Secure any loose ends with fast drying glue, such as my beloved Magna-Tac.
I used strips of knit fabric next, to cover the entire egg. Again, wrap vertically, base to tip. The knit fabric is great since you can stretch it to control the batting fullness and retain your eggy silhouette. Secure your loose ends at the base if the egg with glue. I used solid colors of the knit fabric. You can keep it all the same color, or mix! But don’t let it get too busy, since this is just your first layer.
For the next layer I used 2 coordinating strips of cotton print. If you use larger egg-forms you can use more strips. I wrapped one from the base, all the way around, and then wrapped the other so that the two strips meet perpendicularly at the tip of the egg. Secure the strips at the base.
Finally, I used colorful yarn to wrap the entire egg in a haphazard pattern. Leave a tail at the end so you have a place to tie off as you go to keep things secure. When you are done, trim the tail.
Add a string at the top to hang as an ornament, or just display in a bowl.
Voila! Egg-cellent! They are little shabby-chic, a little punk-rock, and totally adorable!
This is a great craft to do with kids, and can be applied to any styro-shape for pretty much any occasion! Let your imagination go!
Trashed turned to trinkets...that's Thinking Pink!
Happy Spring!
-Becca
Oh my goodness... I LOVE these! I want them all over my apartment as decoration.
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OH my goodness! How cute is that I ask you?! Very creative.
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