How to repair buttons and jeans

Recently, I needed to repair a loose button and the pockets in a couple of jeans.

Since I had to do the repairs anyway, why not share the steps with others who can then make their clothing last longer.

So, today’s post introduces How to Sew on a Button and How to Repair a Jeans Pocket.

The tasks are not too ornery, but they do take a little time. The result, however, is increased life of the shirt and usable, perfectly good jeans.

Here are the problems.

First a button that’s almost loose enough to come off in the next laundry cycle:

a loose shirt button

After going through the easy but detailed steps for how to sew on a button, the results show:

the results of the how to sew on a button steps

Take a little time to go through the steps and the result will be better than new. Why better? Because you will attach the button more securely than a machine can.

The second repair took a little longer, but it, too, was easy.

Here’s one of the jeans pockets with a rather large hole:

jeans pocket with large hole

After working through the detailed and easy how to repair a jeans pocket steps, the resulting repair looks like this:

repaired jeans pocket

This view is from the inside of the pocket – where the personal treasures and the hand would go. The seams are finished such that neither the fingers nor the things in the pocket will catch on an unfinished seam.

Frequently, if someone uses their jeans pockets a lot, the pockets wear out much quicker than the jeans themselves.

These steps for how to repair a jeans pocket will keep your jeans useful and longer lasting.

Visit the funEZcrafts how-to section to learn how to sew on a button and how to repair a jeans pocket.

Have fun making your shirts, blouses and jeans last longer!

 

 

 

Felt and Ribbon Christmas Tree Door Hanger

Just a quick post today to highlight our Woven Ribbon Christmas Tree Door Hanger.

They’re simple, inexpensive, fun and pretty.

Take a look at this bright and cheerful Christmas Tree Door Hanger:

Or, how about this version, also red and green but using sheer ribbons that become almost burgundy:

What fun they are to make and to display!

You can find the instructions on our Easy Christmas Crafts Woven Ribbon Christmas Tree Door Hanger page. We also link to detailed instructions for how to sew a blanket stitch and how to sew a blanket stitch overlay.

Have fun making these!

Highlighting the Lace Flower Ornament

Last week we showcased the Paper Doily Flower Ornament. Today, let’s take a look at a similar decoration made with lace – the Lace Flower Ornament.

Here are three finished lace flower ornaments made with three different colors of lace:

Three completed Easy Christmas Crafts Lace Flower Ornaments hanging on a tree

Two short pieces of lace from 16 inches to 20 inches long – one roughly half the width of the other, two short pieces of narrow ribbon and an optional embellishment for the center of the flower are the main materials for this simple lace flower ornament.

Now, this ornament does require some simple sewing – very simple sewing – to make the circles of lace.

On our Easy Christmas Crafts Lace Flower Ornament page, we provide the step-by-step instructions along with pictures showing you how to make this pretty white and pale pink decoration:

Completed white and pink easy Christmas crafts lace flower ornament hanging on the tree

A few of these pretty decorations would add interest to a Christmas tree, a wrapped package or even hanging on a drawer pull. One or more would also make nice yet inexpensive gifts for several of the people on your list this year.

Take a look at the Easy Christmas Crafts Lace Flower Ornament page for the details.

Have Fun!

Simple and Elegant Ribbon Circles

Are you looking for a simple yet elegant decoration?

Take a look at these ribbon circles:

These ribbon circles ornaments are easy to make. You can make many of the ornaments in a short amount of time.

The project can be done by the young or the young at heart!

Visit our ribbon circles ornaments page to view the list of materials and tools and see the illustrated how-to-make steps for the pretty little ornaments.

Enjoy!

Angels, Angels Everywhere!

Hello everyone. Other projects took priority over adding new fun and easy crafts to www.funEZcrafts.com.

But, we’ve just added several new projects appropriate for the holidays or for anytime throughout the year.

Take a look at the multitude of angels:

First in the list are the varieties of the yarn angel:

Three Yarn Angels

Second is the Doily Angel:

Doily Angel hanging on tree

Next, is the Handkerchief Angel:

Purple Handkerchief Angel hanging on tree

How about an Angel Gift Bag:

Angel Gift Bag hanging on tree

Here’s a Quilter’s Angel (though anyone can make this pretty angel):

Quilters Angel hanging on tree

One more, but this is a set of three angels for the Angel Trio:

Angel Trio hanging on tree

Each of these angels can be made with simple materials and tools and only take a small amount of time.

You can find links to all of these angels on our Easy Angel Crafts page.

Have fun making these angels to decorate your home, give as gifts or as group projects for children or adults to do.

Handkerchief Wall Hanging

Do you have pretty handkerchiefs hidden away? They’re beautiful, you don’t want to get rid of them but you just don’t know how to display them.

Using our simple, step-by-step instructions along with a few inexpensive materials and tools, a pretty handkerchief easily becomes a beautiful wall hanging.

Handkerchief Wall Hanging finished and hanging on wall

 

The contrast between the background fabric and the finery of the handkerchief shows off the intricate drawnwork and the beautiful embroidery.

Handmade hankerchief detail

With a little time this handkerchief transforms from a hidden treasure into a handsome wall hanging to accent any decor.

Check out our easy instructions:  funEZcrafts’ Handkerchief Wall Hanging.

Handkerchief Valet

Take a look at this pretty valet tray made with a ladies’ handkerchief, a small piece of felt and ribbon.

Easy felt crafts handkerchief valet finished corner view

With simple materials and tools along with our easy instructions, you can make this pretty dresser tray for your daily jewelry or other treasures.

Easy felt crafts handkerchief valet finished top view with jewelry

Visit our main web page, funEZcraft’s Easy Felt Crafts – Handkerchief Valet, for the list of materials and how-to-make steps documented with pictures.

This lovely handkerchief valet makes a pretty addition to a dressing area. It also makes a beautiful keepsake gift for family members or friends.

Enjoy!

Vendor note: This charming, handmade handkerchief was found at The Packrat’s Daughter at the Lakewood 400 Antiques Market in Cumming GA. They can be found in the back of Hall G the 3rd weekend of every month.

Woven Ribbon Pillow

This woven ribbon pillow becomes a fun and interesting addition to your decor. It also becomes a conversation piece when family and friends comment on its beauty and craftsmanship.

frugal fun crafts woven ribbon pillow cover

 

Take a look at the easy how-to-make steps and the inexpensive materials and tools on our main web site: Woven Ribbon Pillow.

Enjoy making different varieties for yourself or as gifts from the heart.

Vendor hint:  If you are in the Atlanta Georgia area, you can find a large variety of ribbon at Grosgrain Annie’s Ribbonemporium located in the Lakewood 400 Antiques Market.  The market is open the third weekend of each month: Friday from 9am to 5pm, Saturday from 9am to 6pm and Sunday from 10am to 5pm. She has the ribbons easily visible such that you can readily see and choose the colors and styles you want.

New Addition – Easy Canvas Shopping Bag

Have you joined the green movement? Or, perhaps you just don’t like to use all that plastic and paper for shopping bags. Not only do you have to do something with those bags when you get them home, but they also tend to break open at the worst possible moment.

The eggs break, the bread gets crushed and the heavy cans hit your toes when they fall through the broken bags.

Now, we show you how to make an easy and inexpensive easy canvas shopping bag that is both strong and long-lasting. Plus, it is washable time after time.

Even if you want to make just a couple, it still may be cheaper to purchase a canvas drop cloth from the painting supplies area of your favorite store. The canvas drop cloth comes in a variety of sizes and you can get a lot of material for much less than buying the canvas by the yard.

There may be imperfections in the drop cloth canvas; however those imperfections should add character to your bag.

Plus, when you make the bag yourself, you can determine the resulting size. Ours is deeper than those reusable bags you can find in stores for purchase. Also, the handles are longer such that you can carry the bag or put the handles on your shoulder.

Frugal-fun-projects-easy-canvas-shopping-bag-finished

Frugal, fun and easy!