Vinyl Revival Project #6--Sleepover Backpack!

Felicity's sleepover gear is now complete, with her matching pajama pants and her new recycled backpack to hold Project #5 (her sleeping bag and pillow)--and I think I may be about finished for now with vinyl recycle projects! A few more ideas for later, though. . .

This little backpack measures 7" by 3". I started by cutting a rectangle of vinyl, 9-1/2" tall by 12-1/2 around, and a vinyl circle 4-1/2" in diameter for the set-in bottom. (I had hoped to make a tutorial--it turns out clear materials don't really lend themselves to photography!)

The straps are scraps of black ribbon stitched down the center of wider scraps of pink ribbon, then rolled up in 1-1/2 inch strips of vinyl and stitched again. I stitched the straps to the flat main piece before sewing it into a tube, and then set in the bottom circle. The top of the backpack is finished with a 5/8" casing, and more scrap pink ribbon is threaded through the casing for the tie. (I've used 1/4" seam allowances here.)

And how about a very odd coincidence: head over and check out Care's Dollar Dolly Duffel Bag post for today. As we were describing our projects to each other over the phone yesterday, we realized that, strangely enough, my sleeping bag would just fit in her duffel bag! Who knew? It must be a sign. Of what, it's hard to say!

On to other, non-vinyl projects, I think!

Vinyl Revival Challenge--Project #5: the Zipper!

I've been happily anticipating and working on the recycle project for the lovely, long 58" zipper from my Challenge Item-- andso here is my Recycle Felicity doll's

Slumber Party Sleeping Bag!


Felicity is almost (but not quite!) ready for a fun night with friends. I was inspired by Care's fun toy sleeping bag tutorial to make a bigger version that fits an 18" doll--I followed her excellent instructions exactly, but used 13" by 19" pieces for the outer fabric and lining. The finished bag measures 12" by 18", and takes a zipper at least 28" long.

As much as I hate to buy anything new for a recycle project, in this case I just didn't have any fabric that seemed to work, so I bought (gasp!) 3/4 yard of pink leopard fabric and spent $3.74. Sigh. For the lining, a used a piece of soft white polar fleece that I had on hand, so no batting was needed.

Of course Felicity needs a matching pillow case, and there was plenty of fabric to make one, set off with a black rick-rack insert from my ribbon-and-trim stash. Her pillow is 5" by 7", and Felicity is wearing her pj's from my doll-clothes-from-undies project here.

Next, the rest of Felicity's slumber party preparations--more Vinyl Revival!

Vinyl Revival Challenge--Project #4!

Something-from-nothing is my favorite kind of creation! Inside yesterday's vinyl recycle project, the gift bag, is a little vinyl backpack that holds a set of 24 crayons--the straps and ties match the trim on the gift bag, and the beads are from my stash. The crayons were at back-to-school prices recently, so this little gift cost $.75--a fun and inexpensive gift! Click on the button above for other Vinyl Revival projects.


I was curious to know if a casing would work in my recycled vinyl, so I did a test run--the light weight vinyl seems to pull up with a ribbon very nicely! I made the body of the backpack the same size as the crayon box, plus 1-1/4" or so for the fold-over and casing at the top. The straps are made in the same way as the handles for the gift bag, and were stitched down before sewing the side seams.


Next I stitched the side and bottom seam and boxed the bottom to make it square, then stitched the casing for the ribbon--I snipped a slit in the center front to run the ribbon through and tied on the beads, which as I recall were scrounged from an old project and have been waiting in my stash. Big fun!

On to another vinyl recycle!

Vinyl Revival Challenge--Project #3!

For project #3, I've made a small vinyl gift bag with cute ribbon trim from my stash. The little bag measures 6-1/2" by 4" by 2",and holds a little matching gift--made with vinyl, of course!

I started with a rectangle of my recycled vinyl, and stitched the top hem on one long side, using yellow-green thread to match my color theme. I decided to top-stitch my two ribbons together and ran them through my hem with a safety pin, then realized the hem needed another line of stitching to hold the ribbon in place--I like the decorative effect of the stitching lines!

Second, I stitched the side seam--in this case, I have set in the bottom rectangle, but a good option would be to cut the bag longer and box the corners by stitching across them as shown here. To figure the extra length for a boxed bottom, take one-half of the desired bottom width, plus the seam allowance, and add this amount to the length before cutting.

Next, the handles are made from lengths of ribbon, rolled up in strips of vinyl and top-stitched. You can just see that they are attached by running them through a pair of slits in the bag, with the buttons stitched on to keep them from pulling out. I was thinking clear oxygen tubing would make a pretty cute handle here--I gave up and sent my piece to the thrift store too soon!

All in all, a fun project to do--it would be fun to mass produce these in a holiday theme, to hold little gifts for the neighbors.

Tomorrow, the little gift inside the bag!

Vinyl Revival Challenge--Project #2!

Project #2 from my vinyl recycle challenge: a cute baby bib that wipes clean!

The bib, measuring 9" x 9"", is made with two layers of my recycled vinyl, with cute little plastic baby-themed trinkets between the layers. (The trinkets are recycled from a baby shower, of course!)

I traced an existing bib for the pattern, and cut the two layers of vinyl at the same time--judicious pinning was required here, but holes don't seem to show too much. I stitched around the outer edges to secure the layers, then bound them with bias tape--I actually used my Clover bias tape maker to make the tape from scraps of pink dotted fabric, but commercial bias would certainly do the job. After dropping the plastic trinkets inside, I use the same bias to bind the neckline and make the ties. The bow is from my mom's ribbon-and-trim stash.

So . . . it's pretty cute, right? Let me just say, however, that I realize this is not an especially practical concept. A wipe-off bib would seem to be an excellent idea, but bibs get messy, and the binding would definitely need to be washed. Water would certainly get inside the vinyl layers and never dry. I suppose that an absorbent bib is a better overall plan anyway as far as capturing a mess--how about a layer of fabric with one of vinyl? Ideas?

Not to mention the fact that leaning against the trinkets might be pretty uncomfortable for the baby!

I suppose I just couldn't resist carrying the project out as an exercise!

Vinyl Revival Challenge--Project #1!

I've cut up my plastic cover, and decided to use the smaller panels first--there were two pieces about 12" by 24", and one piece about 36" by 12", plus the 9" by 36" black mesh panel.

First up is a zipper pouch for my knitting bag--it's 9" by 4" with boxed lower corners. This would also make a great pencil pouch, or a holder for barrettes and elastics!

I used:
--a square of clear vinyl, 10" by 10"
--A stray zipper from my stash: the length doesn't matter as long as it is over 10"
(The existing zipper would have worked well, but I have plans for it!)
--2-1/2" piece of ribbon for the tab or label
--thread

l. With right sides together, stitch the zipper to one side of the vinyl piece, using a 1/4" seam allowance. If your zipper is longer, let the excess extend on either side.

2. Pull the opposite side of the vinyl over and stitch it to the opposite side of the zipper, right sides together, with a 1/4" seam allowance--this will be easier with the zipper closed! If your zipper is longer, be sure the second seam is directly across from the first.


3. With the zipper closed, place the pouch right sides together, with the zipper opening about 1-1/4" from the top fold. Fold the ribbon with raw edges together, and place it between the layers of vinyl against the pull side of the zipper, matching raw edges of the ribbon to the cut edges of the vinyl.


4.. Stitch the side seams, using a 1/4" seam allowance--use care in stitching over the zipper if yours is longer than needed. Be sure the pull is within the sides of the pouch! Trim away excess zipper, if needed. Open the pouch.


5. To box the lower corners, crease the lower fold of the bag with your fingers, next to the seam. Opening up the corner of the bag, carefully match this crease to the side seam as shown in the photo above, and stitch across the corner about 5/8" from the point. Repeat for other corner. Turn bag right side out. Finished!

All my knitting tools will be together, but still visible!

Vinyl Revival Challenge Item!

Quite some time ago, Care gave me this clear vinyl bag which was the packaging for a 'Hide-a-Mat', measuring a generous 36" by 24" by 12" and including a nice 58" black nylon zipper. The seams are stitched and bound with the same clear plastic, and on the back is a panel of black knit mesh.

The challenge: to re-use and re-cycle the materials!

The bag has since been lying idle in my Things-I-Might-Recycle bin, with the challenge lying idly in the back of my brain until just recently. I think ideas must have been jogged by Care's fun crayon pouch posting, because several have popped out of the back of the brain!

Notes for recycling vinyl packaging:

--the vinyl is fairly light weight, and so not exceptionally durable, but much easier to handle than the heavier stuff.
--the vinyl is a bit crinkly from storage, so
-- a very short spin in the dryer or a quick blast with the hair dryer helps.
--to stitch clear plastic, use longer stitches and handle the seam from the front and the back of the presser foot, helping it move along.
--definitely do cut with the rotary cutter, using an older blade.
--I have a couple of ideas for re-using the zipper, so I'll probably add in some zippers from my notions stash.

I think I'm set to sew!

Inspiration Strikes!

There just haven't been any projects going around here for a while--I have to think the old creativity has been in the incubation stage. Of course, there is always plenty to do--took a little trip to help with projects and hang out at the kids' house one state over, sorted through my fall clothes, read a book or two, pursued a couple of cooking projects. . .

Then, oddly, last night I was lying in the bed not quite thinking or sleeping, and Inspiration Struck! Ideas were springing fully formed to mind about a recycling project I have had on the back burner for a while-- spit from the subconscious processor at the back of the mind. Inscrutable notes were scrawled on the back of my crossword puzzle by iPod light, and I think I'll be ready to post a week of projects made from an item that Care gave me (some time ago!) as a challenge.

Stay tuned!

Thrift Thursday--Vintage Kitchen Chair!

As I have stated before, I am a sucker for cute thrift store chairs and small tables, and when I found this one several years ago now, I knew it was mine, all mine.

I think from the style it must be from about the 1930's or 40's--what do you think? And just look at that old red oilcloth seat cover! The scroll work on the flared back! The bentwood details! The small-scale proportion just right for shorter people! I love you, chair!

The finish has worn over the years until it almost looks purposely antiqued, and the seat and scroll work are plywood. Couldn't say what the hardwood is, but it's fairly heavy. It's long since retired from the kitchen, and is living out its golden years on light duty as a desk chair.

It makes me happy!