Indie Craft Attack: Crafting Instructions!

Want to make your own versions of the crafts we make on Indie Craft Attack? Just look for the episode you want and enjoy making your crafts! Have fun!

Episode Seven - Mini Bunting:

Mini bunting is perfect as a cake topper, or has a small decorations for your home. You can dress up any table at parties, or hang them from the ceiling. It's perfect for everything, and here's how it's done! This is an alternative from normal bunting that requires a sewing machine. You could use this technique to make regular sized bunting if you'd like! This is obviously just one way to do it, so not feel you have to use the supplies I list!

What you will need:

Fabric Pieces
Iron
Scissors
Fusible Web
Marker
String or Ribbon
Ruler
Tape

Make sure to iron on a suitable surface! You don't want to burn or melt anything!! Always take caution when using an iron around children. This craft is great for getting your kids involved once all the ironing and cutting is done!

STEP ONE!

Cut out your bunting template. I'm making triangles, so I my template measures out to be about 4cm or 1.5 inches across the top and down the middle! Then cut your template out! You'll need it soon!

STEP TWO!

Measure out some fabric! For the size of bunting I'd like to make, the "height" measures out as 2 inches, and the width just depends on how many triangles you'd like to make!

Fold the fabric in half, and iron!

STEP THREE:

Cut out a piece of fuse a web, or heat n' bond, whatever it is that will fuse the two pieces of fabric together. Fusible web has one rough size with the glue, and one smooth side that you pill away. Cut out a strip of this fusible web that is roughly smaller than 2 inches (in my case). It needs to be smaller and fit slightly below the fold to allow a piece of string to fit through later!

STEP FOUR:

Iron it on with rough side facing the fabric. Follow the instructions on whatever you buy!

STEP FIVE:

PEEL IT AWAY! You'll notice that now you have some glue!

STEP SIX:

Fold your piece of fabric again! and iron it down! My instruction say to use a damp cloth when ironing, but you can do whatever your instructions say!

STEP SEVEN:

Use your template to trace out the triangles, making sure the top of the triangle is along the folder edge where the string will pass through. Then cut them out!

STEP EIGHT:

String them all together! I always put a bit of tape at the ends to make life easier!

NOW DECORATE!!!

Happy Crafting!

- Mon

Episode Six (Ania Ziemirska):

Have you ever been to a craft show or market, and saw loads of cute fabric covered magnets, pins, hair clips, etc, and thought "These are so cute, I wish I could make them"? Well folks, today you'll finally get your wish come true! Let me show you how!!

What you will need:

Buttons to Cover Kit (found in sewing supply shops)
Magnets/push pins/hair clips, anything you want to glue these buttons on!
Scissors
Fabric of choice
Marker
Strong Glue (with a Resin & Hardener works well, but any strong glue works!)
Toothpicks

Step One: Read the instructions that come with your Button Cover Kit. It will provide you with a template for what size of circle to cut. Trace your circle onto your fabric.

Step Two: Cut your circle out!

Step Three: Centre your cut out on the mould that is provided.

Step Three: Place button shell in the centre of the fabric. Push button shell into mould. Make sure the fabric gathers around the back of the shell.

Step Four: Place button backing on top of gathered fabric. Depending on the type of button kit you use, you may have to take the button shank off. Pilars work well! You can buy kits that provide flat backs. Those are useful! Use the "button back pusher" thing to push everything together!

Step Five: Push your creation out of the mould!

Step Six: Mix your glue together! Place glue on the magnet (or thing you are gluing the button too) and the back of the button.

Step Seven: Let it dry, and BAM! You have yourself a cute magnet!!!

Happy Crafting!

- Monica

Episode Five (Grant Lawrence):

Have you ever been in the middle of a book and the phone rings or someone comes to the door, and you think "Man, I wish I had a bookmark to keep my place!"?!? Well today is your lucky day! It's time to make your very own duct-tape bookmark! It's very simple! And if Grant Lawrence can make it, so can you!

What You Will Need:

Piece of Card (I used a "To & From" Card, business cards could work too!)
Scissors
Ribbon
Duct Tape (any of your choice!)
Hole punch

Step One: Cover your card in a duct tape! Very simple! I decided to make a base of grey duct-tape and then decorate it with coloured duct-tape on the sides!

Step Two: Punch a hole through the top of the card! This will be where you tie your ribbon!

Step Three: Cut a piece of ribbon, and tie it through the hole! Then decorate it with stickers of your choice! And you're done!

Step Four: Read a book, and Enjoy :)

Happy Crafting!

- Monica

Episode Four (YUNIOSHI):

[Photo Courtesy of Nathan... u know who are you]

Got an old band t-shirt? Can't stand plastic bags? Need a new nifty bag? Why not try making this super awesome Recycled T-Shirt Bag! No sewing required!

What You'll Need:

New, Used, Old T-Shirt [preferably an old band shirt, or shirt w/ cool design]
Scissors (fabric scissors work best!)
Safety Pins
Creative Mind

Step One: To make the handles for your bags, start by cutting off the sleeves of your shirt (including the seem that attaches the sleeve to your shirt). Also, cut around the collar of the shirt to make more of an opening for your bag. You can choose the shape, be creative!

Step Two: Using the sleeves that you cut off, cut one of them in half to create one long piece. Now cut 3 1-inch "strings" by cutting lengthwise along the sleeve. Once you have cut the 1-inch strings pull on them to make the pieces longer and thinner.

Step Three: Cut some slits into the bottom hem of your t-shirt bag. Just make sure you don't cut passed the seam of the hem. You will be using the hem to pull your strings through in order to close up the bottom! I cut three slits at the bottom of mine (even spaced out!), but you can do 2 slits (meaning you'd only need 2 strings), or you could do one! Depends on how many strings you'd like to pull through. Personally, I like doing 3!

Step Four: Attach a safety pin to on of your strings and start pulling it through the opening of your of the slits. Pull it through to the other end. Repeat with remaining slits & strings, and then scrunch it all together.

Step Five: Create some knots!

Step Six: ENJOY IT! Go shopping with your super cool recycled t-shirt bag!

Here are the completed YUNIOSHI T-Shirts!

Craft Idea Courtesy of: http://www.leethal.net/zine/?p=1344#

Episode Three (Zachary Lucky):

Not sure who what to do with all your old calendars? Do you love to send snail mail? Then here is your chance to reuse your old calendars AND send some special mail!

What you will need:

Old Calendars (perhaps 2010? It was a good year after all!)
Black Marker
Old Envelope (take it apart and lay it down flat)
Glue
Scissors

Step One: Lay the opened envelope flat on top of your calendar image. Make sure to place it strategically. If there is a specific part of the calendar you'd really like to showcase on the envelope, make sure to include it!

Step Two: TRACE IT!

Step Three: in the famous words of Joey from Full House... "CUT IT OUT!"

Step Four: Place the old calendar on top of the cut out, and fold along where the envelope naturally folds itself. Basically, you are using the envelope as a template!

Step Five: GLUE IT! See where the glue was originally on the old envelope? That's where you want to place the glue on your cut out!

Step Six: Place a blank sticker anywhere you'd like on your envelope! This is where you'll write in the address of your special someone!

Step Seven: Send a letter!

Step Eight: Repeat steps 1-7!

HAPPY CRAFTING!

Monica

Episode Two (Melissa Dalton of The Wilderness of Manitoba):

Want to make your own band t-shirt?! Well look no further than this here step by step instructions for the "how-to" for making your own poor man's screen printing shirts! Once you have all your materials you're ready to go!

What you will need:

T-shirt (Any colour, just as long as your paint will show up on top! Also, make sure to wash the t-shirt before you begin just in case it shrinks!)
Cardbord
Utility Knife
Acetate Paper
Tape
Fabric Screen printing Ink [Melissa suggests Speedball Fabric Paint found at craft stores like Curry's in Toronto, Ontario]
Rollers
Iron
Permanent Marker

Step One:

Choose a design. It can be anything you like! Just keep in mind how detailed you create your design, this will come into play when cutting out your design on the acetate paper.

Step Two:

Draw your design on the acetate paper. Whatever you black out with the permanent marker is what you will be cutting out. Once you're done, you're ready to cut out your stencil! You will notice here that Melissa didn't black out her stencil, but that's because she's THAT good. You'll probably want to black yours out to start!

Step Three:

Using your utility knife, carefully cut out the blacked out portions of your design. This is the most time-consuming part of the craft. Be patient and careful. If you've chosen a simple design with easy lines this process will be easier for you. If you're like Melissa and decided on a more intricate design, it will take a little time. But don't worry, in the end it will be wonderful! Just take your time! No rush!

Step Four:

Mix your fabric ink on something flat. A flat surface will help when you start rolling the ink. You can mix different colours together in order to achieve your desired colour. A knife works well when mixing the ink.

Step Five:

Cut out a piece of cardboard that will fit under your t-shirt and stencil. This will help protect the other layers of your t-shirt from the stencil and ink. Place the cardboard inside the t-shirt between the layers. Next, tape down your stencil in the desired location making sure your cardboard is directly underneath.

Step Six:

Take out your roller and begin to roll ink onto the roller. Roll enough ink on that it is evenly covered. You want to make sure you don't have too much ink, but also that you have enough ink to use once you start rolling.

Now, start rolling onto your stencil. Be careful when rolling. Try to go slow to prevent the ink from getting under the stencil. While your ink is still wet, take the acetate off, but make sure you don't disturb the freshly laid ink. Remove the cardboard and allow the ink to dry. It will take at least half an hour, but this obviously varies with different temperatures. If you want to speed up the process borrow your sister's hairdryer and away you go!

Step Seven:

Set the ink with your iron. The setting process with help bond the ink with the cotton. You should then be able to wash it and the ink will not wash out. There are opposing views on whether you should wash the t-shirt right away. To be safe, we suggest to wash a test shirt to make sure you aren't selling any defective merchandise to your fans!

No water in the iron. Set the iron on the "cotton or linen" setting. Pass the iron around the design. You will see a bit of steam come out. This is simply coming from the ink on the fabric. Pass the iron over areas of your design, and allow it to rest for about a minute on each part.

Step Eight:

Wash, wear, sell and enjoy!

Happy Crafting!

Monica

Episode One (Aidan Knight):

Now, you may have noticed that in the Aidan Knight video we were decorating some nifty journals made of cereal boxes! Well, if you'd like to decorate your own, here's how! Follow the instructions and photos step by step, and you'll have your very own in no time!

-----

Have you ever looked down at your recycling bin and thought, “Hey, I wonder if I can somehow find a use for all these cereal boxes?”. Well, if you have, then you’ll be happy to know that I have a wonderful solution for you! It’s called the “The Crafty Indie Cereal Box Journal!” You can make them out of cereal boxes or even tissue boxes. It’s perfect for giving your journal writing a personal touch!

So let’s begin!

What you will need:

- Favourite Cereal Box

- Paper (scrap, or from an old notebook)

- Hammer

- Nail

- Thread (shoe laces can work as well)

- Scissors/retractable knife

- Paper Clips [if you need help holding the paper in place]

Optional:

- Hole punch

- Corner punch

Step One:

- Cut cereal box in half. You will be able to make two journals from one box.

Step Two:

- Use scissors or retractable knife to make clean edges around the cut out you have created.

Step Three: (Optional)

- Use a corner punch to make lovely looking corners.

Step Four:

- Score your cut-out in the middle with the cereal box writing facing you. This will help when folding the journal. However, you can simply fold the cut-out in half if you so desire.

Step Five:

- Cut the paper you’d like to insert to the appropriate size. Then use paper clips to hold everything in place.

Step Six:

- Carefully flip over the journal and hammer in holes along the crease you have created. Make sure you create a hole all the way through the pages. Run the nail through the hole to make enough room for the thread to get through. Create four holes in total. The two in the middle will be closer together.