Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Crayon Bucket Tutorial

As promised - Tutorial for making a Crayon Bucket. Enter the give away tomorrow to win your own Crayon Bucket or Crayon Roll.

1. Gather supplies:
  • Scraps of Fabric
  • Scraps of Ribbon
  • Small Canister with Lid (~ 4"W x 4.5"H)
  • Thread
  • Scissors
  • Tape Measure
  • Fabric Marking Pen
  • Straight Pins
  • Iron
  • Cutting Mat*
  • Rotary Cutter*
  • Quilting Ruler*
*Optional, but makes it slightly easier/faster.

2. Place canister lid on scrap of fabric. Trace around the lid, leaning the marker away from the lid so it creates a larger circle.

3. Place canister within the circle drawn around the lid. Trace around the canister, keeping marker tight to the base. The difference between the two lines is the seam allowance, mine measures approximately 1/4".



4. Next measure the canister's circumference. The non-mathematical way - wrap a tape measure around it and add an inch for seam allowance.

Or do the math (which usually has a smaller margin of error and makes the pieces fit better, thus it is easier to sew). Measure the diameter of the inner circle (base of the canister) and multiple it by pi (3.14) - or even simpler - use this tool. My diameter measures 4 1/8" (4.125) so my circumference is 13" (12.959...).


5. Measure the height of the can and add 1 1/4" for seam allowance. My can is 4.5", so the complete dimensions for my fabric rectangle are 5 3/4"H x 14"L.


6. Cut the fabric. Make certain to cut along the outside circle line. Then, using a mat, ruler and rotary cutter, cut the rectangle. Or just measure and mark out the rectangle then cut by hand.

7. Fold the rectangle lengthwise, right sides together and stitch the raw edges together with a 1/2" seam allowance. Slip it over the canister - adjust the seam allowance and re-stitch if it needs to be tighter or looser . After assuring the right fit, do a zig zag stitch for added seam strength. Iron hem closed.



8. Pin the circle to the bottom of the rectangle, right sides facing. Stitch only slightly outside the inner circle. Try the fit on the canister, make any adjustments, then zig zag stitch along the seam.


9. With the fabric still on the canister, draw a line around the top using the lip as a guide. Remove fabric from canister. Fold over a 1/2" seam allowance, matching to the drawn line, then iron. Fold over another 1/2" (so the top of the fold is now even with the drawn, but now covered, line) and iron flat. Turn right side out and top stitch around the bottom edge of the fold.


10. Cut a 12" length of ribbon. Fold over a 1/2" seam allowance, iron. Fold over another 1/2" and iron flat, depending on the ribbon it may need to be pinned flat.

11. Fold the cover in half with the hem at the back, place the ribbon in the middle of this section on each side and pin in place. Stitch ribbon to the fabric cover. I use a satin stitch but a straight stitch forward and reverse will also secure the ribbon nicely.


12. Trim any loose threads then slip on the cover, add crayons, pop on the lid and hand to your little one to enjoy!


*All tutorials for personal use only.




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