I received a sample for this review/feature. Opinions expressed are my own.
I love crafting, but the one thing I cannot do is sew. My mother-in-law gave me her old sewing machine and I’ve tried countless times to sew on it, but it just never quite works out. There are so many cool crafts I’ve never done because they involved sewing. I’m so glad I discovered the art of no-sew in the new book No-Sew Love by Ashley Johnston.
Although Ashley Johnston is comfortable with a needle and thread?and really enjoys making handmade items for her children and home’she could certainly understand that sewing machines can strike fear and dread into the hearts of many crafters. The complicated machinery with the fussy parts as well as confusing pattern directions send many people running from any craft that requires sewing. No-Sew Love is filled with ideas for the non-sewing crafter or for the more casual sewist who would rather not haul out the sewing machine for a quick project. Materials all easily found at craft and fabric stores?hem tape, fusible webbing, a variety of glues, and of course, fabric?are all you need to whip up the 50 no-sew wonders in the book. There are throw pillows, grommet curtain panels, cute kids’ clothing, holiday decorations, and even accessories for you! Projects are photographed at each step for crystal-clear directions, and sure-to-please results.
All 50 of these project ideas are fun and relatively easy to do. There’s even a chapter on re-purposing items, which of course I had to go to first. I found a project for a water bottle sling and knew I needed to make one for the Nugget since he is always asking me to carry his water bottle around for him. It requires very little to make and takes almost no time at all to put together, yet has been incredibly useful for us this summer.
Reprinted with permission from No-Sew Love ? 2014 Ashley Johnston, Running Press, a member of the Perseus Books Group.
Plastic Bottle into Water Bottle Sling
How many times have you thrown away an old plastic bottle or container and wondered if you could?ve gotten any other use out of it? Well, save some space in your recycling bin (and free up your hands) by turning them into water bottle slings. This is useful for all ages but is especially helpful for kiddos who want to keep track of their own water bottle on long walks or hikes.
Skill Level: I
Time Estimate: 30 minutes
Supplies:
Empty cylindrical plastic container (large enough to fit a water bottle)
Grosgrain ribbon (amount depends on size)
Epoxy glue
Toolkit:
Heavy-duty scissors
Ruler
Permanent marker
Lighter
Clothespins or a heavy book
1. Peel away any wrappers or labels from the container.
2. Decide how tall you?d like your holder to be. (The one pictured is 5 inches tall.) Use a permanent marker and a ruler to draw a straight line where you?ll make your cut.
3. Cut slightly below the line so that the marker line will be cut off.
4. If you?re having a hard time cutting the curved container, trim it down in smaller pieces.
5. Draw a very narrow rectangle shape on one side of your container (about 1 inch below the top), where your ribbon will slide through. Be sure that it’s slightly wider than the ribbon width.
6. To cut the rectangle-shaped slit, poke the tip of your scissors through first.
7. Cut around the outside edge of the marker lines, to remove them completely from the container.
8. Make an identical narrow slit on the opposite side of the container, the same distance down from the top.
9. Measure your subject (up and across the chest and then back down) to see how long the strap needs to be and then add 3 inches to that measurement. Cut the ribbon to that length. Carefully melt the cut ends of the ribbon with a lighter to heat-seal them to keep them from fraying.
10. Slide one end of the ribbon through the container from the outside. Pull the end of the ribbon from the inside and overlap it back on itself 1 ? inches. Lay the container down on its side and add some epoxy glue between where the ribbon overlaps.
11. Press down firmly and use clothespins or a heavy book to help keep the ribbon pieces pressed firmly together while the glue dries.
12. Repeat with the other end of ribbon, first making sure that the ribbon isn?t twisted.
Tips:
If your container has images or type printed right onto it, consider spray painting it before adding your ribbon. If you feel more comfortable using a utility knife instead of scissors to cut the container, go ahead. I tend to have more control and make more precise cuts with scissors, but use what’s best for you.
No-Sew Love is a must have book for any crafter out there. There are so many cool projects in here that I would’ve never guessed required no sewing. No-Sew Love releases on August 5 and is available now for pre-order on Amazon. I can’t wait until my son is back in school because I definitely see lots of cute no-sew throw pillows and purses in my future.
