Today's printable papercraft is quick, easy, and very giftable: a mini sewing kit. You just need the printable, a reel of sewing cotton, a piece of ribbon (for a necklace-style caddy), and a few sewing needles.
If you think that these Needle'n'Thread Caddies look familiar, your déja
vu has an explanation. The caddies are miniaturized versions of my Washi Tape Storage Box. (A case of thinking about the box...)
The Needle'n'Thread Caddy comes in a choice of colourways - ditsy floral prints, all with colour-coordinated faux rick rack trim.
Here are your free printables:
Needle'n'ThreadCaddyBlue.pdf
Needle'n'ThreadCaddyMixed.pdf
Needle'n'ThreadCaddyPink.pdf
Needle'n'ThreadCaddyPurple.pdf
Needle'n'ThreadCaddyYellow.pdf
Needle'n'ThreadCaddyBlue.svg
Needle'n'ThreadCaddyMixed.svg
Needle'n'ThreadCaddyPink.svg
Needle'n'ThreadCaddyPurple.svg
Needle'n'ThreadCaddyYellow.svg
Needle'n'Thead Caddy
To Make:
1 Above, the caddy cut out and prepped. The fold lines have been scored, the reinforcements glued in place, and d/s tape has been applied to the tabs.
2 Pic above: flip side of the case, showing placement of d/s tape strips.
3 Assemble the box, gluing side liners inside. The lid tucks in to close.
Attach the base of the needle holder to the base of the box.
4 Pop in the spool of thread. For a necklace-style holder, thread a piece of ribbon through the spool - you may need a bodkin to do this. Alternatively, for a free-standing spool holder, cut down a piece of a cake pop or lollipop stick and slip it through the cotton reel. Secure the ends with paper beads.
Note: Obviously, not a project for young kids.
This project would be great as a fete-make, or as a favour for a sewing group meeting.
Functional garlands make so much sense - they transform blank wall space into useful storage space and create a festive atmosphere. These twist-topped oblong containers are inspired by bicycle baskets. They are surprisingly sturdy - I make mine out of 160 gsm photocopier card. They are much easier to make than they look. A tutorial shows you how.
Here are your free printable bicycle baskets:
OblongBicycleBasket1of2.pdf
OblongBicycleBasket2of2.pdf
OblongBicycleBasket1of2.svg
OblongBicycleBasket2of2.svg
And here are the how-tos:
Bicycle Basket Stoage Garland Tutorial
1 Here are the pieces cut out and ready to assemble. Score the folds on either side of the side panel and also at the base of the the little tabs on the basket base. I use a fine-point embossing tool held against a small metal ruler.
2 Now for the fun part - folding the "corded twist" top. It is really simple - just fold the S-shape tabs and tuck the ends to the back. The tabs hook over the edge of the paper. Tip: for a more realistic cord look, shape the tabs before tucking them. Just gently curve them each tab around your finger.
3 As you can see from the pics above, the last tab of the corded edge extends onto the side flap. What to do? Flip the basket side piece to the wrong side, fold the last tab over as shown. Glue it down. You can glue down the other tab ends with dabs of PVA glue - but it isn't absolutely essential.
Above is a pic of the basket side piece, corded edge complete and d/s tape placed on the side seams. Notice that the righthand edge of the corded edge is angled. The little tab projection on the basket base/back piece fits behind it to make a straight edge.
4 Above, stick the hanging loop reinforcement in place with edges aligned. All that is needed is a piece of tape along opposite straight edges of the reinforcement piece. If you are not going to put heavy stuff in your basket, then you can skip this step!
5 Pic above shows d/s tape applied to all the base tabs. You can use PVA tacky glue instead, but the d/s tape is the easier option by far.
6 Next, stick the end flap of the lefthand of the side piece under the righthand side of the back piece (much less complicated than it sounds!).
7 Peel off the protective tabs from the d/s tape on the base tabs and adhere the basket side panel to the base, working your way around. The piece will miraculously fit exactly. :)
8 When you get to the opposite edge, adhere the basket side to the back piece. Stick the "cover-up" tab behind the last corded twist tab of the basket top.
9 Place d/s tape on the wrong side of the basket back as shown. The strip of tape just above the opening is really important - it prevents the hanging loops from gaping out.
10 Remove the backing from the tape strips and fold the back piece inside, bottom edge flush with basket base. Note that the fold is a soft fold - uncreased - it looks more a leather strap that way. Use your fingers to coax the oblong basket into shape - a little more definition in the corners is the goal.
11 This step is optional: the brads are decorative, only. If you do want to insert brads in the strap, use the little "positioner tab" with a hole in it to pencil in the brad position on the folded loop. Punch a hole in each strap and insert a brad in a colour to coordinate with the basket.
12 Next, drop in the basket base liner. It fits exactly - no need to glue. I have also supplied you with an optional liner for the basket sides, in case you want extra basket reinforcement. Shape it before you drop it in place.
That's it - the bicycle basket is assembled. All that remains is to thread a ribbon through the hanging loops. Textured ribbon, like grosgrain, or gingham ribbon look great. You can opt for a solo basket or string a garland. Makes a nice gift or fête-make.
Enjoy making your funcitonal garland!
Basic party boxes today - with seam binding handles. Make them up in a size to suit.
Here are your free printables. Two prints to choose from. The small size box has an all-in-one template for convenience. If you want a larger size, choose the pieced template and enlarge as required.
Box1Small.pdf
Box1Bigger.pdf
Box2Small.pdf
Box2Bigger.pdf
Box1Small.svg
Box1Bigger.svg
Box2Small.svg
Box2Bigger.svg
Since these boxes are probably going to contain party treats, the handles are knotted in place, rather than stapled. Carefully cut slits where marked on the box side panels and insert the seam binding. Knot on the inside.
This project concludes all the Folk Art Egg party makes series. Here are the other projects in the group (clockwise from top, click on the links):
PartyBunting
PillowBoxes
HexagonBaskets
SquareBasket-Box
PartyBoxes (above)
CupcakeWraps
I hope you have a lovely chocalicious party.
Pillow bags today - with a cute faux button feature on the flap. Print, cut, make them in a jiffy!
Here are your free printables (two colour combos):
PillowBag1.pdf
PillowBag2.pdf
PillowBag1.svg
PillowBag2.svg
Next up: ribbon-handled party boxes, the last project in my Folk Art Eggs party makes series.
Easy-make decorations today. Up until now, I've been concentrating on containers for my Folk Art Egg-themed party papercrafts. This pennant-style bunting is a no-brainer - just print, cut, fold the tabs to the back, stick the ends down, then thread a ribbon through. My personal preference is to make soft folds at the top of the hanging loops - don't crease them. It looks more artisan craft-sy!
Here are your free printables. Lots of egg styles and colour combos to choose from:
FolkArtBunting1of4.pdf
FolkArtBunting2of4.pdf
FolkArtBunting3of4.pdf
FolkArtBunting4of4.pdf
FolkArtBunting1of4.svg
FolkArtBunting2of4.svg
FolkArtBunting3of4.svg
FolkArtBunting4of4.svg
Of course, you can enlarge or reduce the pennants as desired. Reduce the scale 50% for a mini-size ideal for decorating gift packaging.
There are still more Folk Art Egg party makes to come - pillow bags and goodie boxes. And don't forget this week's previous makes:
