Thrifty Thinking
It’s DIY TIME , where I post something you can do yourself rather than buy, which is a money saver, and can be VERY REWARDING. Some of these posts are crafts, sewing projects, homemade cleaners, homemade health aids, tutorials, and the like.
Have you started thinking about Christmas gifts yet? When we get to October, I, at least, start thinking of gifts so the whole process doesn’t get too overwhelming. We want to be able to enjoy the entire season of Christmas and not freak out. This clothes artwork might be a great Christmas gift.
This is a really quick and easy craft that you could do with kids. Depending on the age and abilities of the kids, you might have to help them with the cutting and just being around the glass. This quick activity embarrassingly sat on my table for months before I tackled the 5-10 minute project. Oh yes! It’s the kind of thing where once you do it, you can’t believe you hadn’t done it sooner, and you are so happy that you’ve done it, but you truly wonder what your problem has been the last few months. Sometimes you just have to take the plunge into a new project.
Do you have any clothes that your kids wore that you loved so much and would hate to get rid of? This project is the perfect project, then! The pink Hawaiian print came from a dress that my girls wore all the time and loved. The dress ended up with an oil stain, and couldn’t be handed down, so it became the perfect candidate to become artwork.
This is such a great frugal little gift because garbage (free stuff) is becoming artwork. The only cost you might have is the frames if you buy them new. I don’t know what IKEA sells these frames at now, but I think it was under $1 each in a 3 pack a handful of years ago.
What You Will Need:
- material/fabric (re-purposed or new)
- frame
- thick tape (can use duct or packaging tape; I don’t know if masking tape would work)
Place the glass (or cardboard frame insert) on the material.
If you want to draw a rectangle around the glass (or cardboard insert) so you know where to cut, do it now. There should be 1/2'' to 1'' of the material around the glass from the edge of the glass to the edge of the material.
I roughly cut my material leaving about 1/2” to 1” of the material around the glass so I can tape that part later.
Place your cardboard insert on the wrong side of your material, and tape the material down well. Stretch the material if needed since you don't want any wrinkles in the fabric.
Place the taped material into the frame, securing it, and you are done!
Here is my Hawaiian print artwork, stretched well onto the cardboard, because it's made of the stretchy cotton material.
The finished product to enjoy!!
How do you re-purpose old clothes?
Have you made…?
How easy and so cute! Karla
I love to upcycle too! This is a simple and cute idea. I think they’d look good with the fabric as a background with some photos on it too. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Laura, You are welcome, and thank you for visiting!
Cool ideas!
Found your post through linky party and yeay what a great find! 🙂
Great idea! I have some vintage fabric of my grandmother’s that would look great framed. Stopping by from Between Naps On The Porch.
I love repurposing! Neat idea!
What great ideas, Sonia! Thank you for sharing!
I love this idea. Pinned it in my crafty folder:) Liked you on Facebook.
These are some great ideas for using fabric scraps!
I love this idea so easy and looks great. Your right they make great Chrissy presents. I went through some old Christmas fabrics and cut out all the little Santas and co hoping to use them when I make my Chrissy cards this year. Iv just done a framed artworks project too if you want to check it out 🙂 http://jarrahjungle.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/turning-handmade-paper-into-art.html
I love this idea! My kiddos often have shirts they hate to part with and we can only make so many quilts and pillows to keep up. What a great way to be able to keep a special item of clothing while giving a room a fresh splash of color! I’m going to have to share this with my girls. I’m pretty sure they’ll be making a few for their rooms. 🙂
Hi Meg, I bet your girls will love it. Thanks for visiting!