Here’s how to upcycle last year’s unappreciated ties (or socks) into utterly loveable gifts.
You will need:
Tie, scarf or bandana (the wider and louder the better)
Felt
Sharp scissors
Seam ripper
Sewing machine and thread
Iron and board
Chopstick or similar
Tape measure
Lanyard
Keyring
Needle and thread
Snaps or velcro to close
Starting at the fat end, open up tie about halfway using your seam ripper and cut away the lining from the pointed end. Iron and lay face up.
Cut out a piece of felt 360mm long and 115mm wide. This will fit a Classic iPod (70x110x10mm). If you own a different model, adjust the size of the case by adding 45mm to the width of your device, multiplying the length by 3 and adding 30mm. Use the corner of a book or CD case to ensure all sides are at right angles. With the right side of the tie facing up, place the felt on top and pin the two fabrics together. Cut the tie fabric out using the felt as a template.
Measure 70mm from the top edge of the felt and draw a half circle below it, about 25mm in diameter. Draw around a coin to get the curve. Do the same on the other side. Cut through felt and tie.
Leaving a 4cm opening at the top for turning, sew around all four edges including semi-circles. Cut off extra corner fabric. Make little snips into the fabric inside the semi-circles, almost to the stitching. Turn right-side-out through the opening in the top. Be gentle and you will get there. Tuck the raw edges in at the opening and pin. Iron flat.
Fold the bottom edge up to create a pocket about 12cm deep, and pin together. The felt should be on the inside. Trim the canvas strip of your lanyard to about 30mm and tuck it into the side of the pocket about 40mm down on the left. (If you haven’t got a lanyard lying around from a conference or gig, you can buy them from most hardware and stationery stores.) Sew around the outside edge of the pouch to create the pocket, backstitching at the lanyard and at the top edges of the pocket. Continue around the flap, closing the opening you left for turning.
Hand-sew snaps or velcro to the top of the pocket and flap. Hand-sew the key ring to the top edge of the pocket above the lanyard. By attaching the lanyard to the key ring you can attach the pouch to jeans and backpacks.
Sarah Bird
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