Home made fabric Doorstop

Another sewing adventure... Been looking on ebay at the fabric doorstop which are really attractive, and even on Ebay - over -priced.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Cath-Kidston-Boats-Fabric-Doorstop_W0QQitemZ270472356883QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Home_Garden_Decorative_Accents_LE?hash=item3ef968a413#ht_500wt_975

So, I rustled up some fabric offcuts, and got out the sewing machine. 

Method

2 ways to do this, I cheated - so one long rectangular piece to go all around the outside, and 2 smaller ones, of equal size - one for the top, one for the bottom. Plus a 2 long slender pieces to make a handle for the top. 

I found pinning the pieces together really helpful. I made a long tube from my 2 long slender pieces and turned the right way out - then I used iron on bonding inside to make more rigid. This was then pinned to the seams of the top  - only then did I actually sew around the edges. Hey presto, half done. The bottom was harder, all those small spaces argh! but a bit of patience, and taking it slowly if you're not a seamstress and actually you end up with the fabric shell. Don't forget to leave a small opening for filling!

A friend recommended a good filling, to provide enough weight, but not too hard to stub your toe on. So, I filled with either rice or pearl barley using a funnel made this particularly easy. Then sew up and pop in front of a door - stand back and admire your handiwork. The only one thing I'd mention is not to get it wet as the rice/barley won't like it!

Materials:

Fabric, you don't need very much

Pins

Fabric iron on bonding

Filling - rice or pearl barley will do. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Don't like it? Paint it!

I bought a ghastly orangey pine wall shelf unit on Ebay for the princely sum of £3. I did not buy it for it's colour, but the fact that it has unusual detail cut into each side. This made it distinctive, and in my book indicated potential.

First I sanded it back to the bare wood, to make this faster I dug out the old power tools, detail sander went down a treat into awkward corners.

Next, I primed it, using wood primer and thumb twiddled while it dried.

Then, after 2 coats of eggshell paint, in this case a very pale powdery purple, I had an unrecognisable shelf unit, that is a fantastic addition to my daughters room, it looks like I forked out a fortune for her to display her treasured trinkets. If you like the shabby chic look you'd use some sandpaper to gently scuff the paint here and there and give it a slightly used look, this is most convincing on edges. You could also stencil your own design on for a truly customised, country look.

And the beauty of it is, once you have these materials, they go pretty far so you can re-vamp till your hearts content.

You will need:

Sand paper/sander.

Wood primer

Eggshell paint

 

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Heart mini chalk boards - make your own!

In September my very lovely sister had a birthday, and being rather cash strapped - but full of ideas I set to work on a little project. 

The idea, small heart shaped chalk boards hung from red ribbons to leave little love notes (or reminders!) round the house. Also a nice present for a teenage girl to hang on the door as a do not disturb sign!

Method:

Get your hands on some MDF, you don't need much, this is a great way to use up offcuts. Sketch out a pencil outline in the shape of your choice, in this case a heart. 

Now the really fun bit, using a jig saw, slowly cut out your shape - this may not be possible the first time if you are not used to using a jig saw, be prepared to take your time with this, the sense of achievement when you nail it is fab.

Now you have your shape get some sandpaper to the edges to soften them and smooth out the odd imperfection. I then drilled a small hole in order for it to be hung, mine was at a jaunty angle on one side to give it charachter and extra charm.

Prime with PVA glue to seal.

Paint with blackboard paint, a couple of coats is good. 

Thread your choice of ribbon through, and if including a gift card add now! (I cut out red rectangles from card, got a neat hole with a hole punch and  'handmade for you by....') Tie the bow carefully and voila! A rather lovely, very tactile and smart looking gift.

I also made a larger heart, and painted it up with the blackboard paint again and added a bracket on the back to wall mount as a companion gift.

 

Shopping List.

MDF, PVA, Blackboard Paint, Ribbon

You will also need:

Jig Saw, Drill, sandpaper, paintbrush.

 

 

 

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