20+ Incredible Crafts For Adults You Need in Your Life

March 13, 2017 by FaveCrafts 3 Comments

Last Sunday, my husband took the kids to the Field Museum. As much as I wanted to join them, I was battling a bad cold, so I opted to stay home. Let me tell you, it’s been a long time since I had a day all to myself at home, and I wasn’t quite sure what to do with my time. I could catch up with my favorite shows on Netflix, but my hands were fidgety and in need of something to do. Surprisingly, the house was already clean. The laundry was done. There were no dishes in the sink. What was I to do? Then it hit me. I needed to find some clever and fun crafts for adults, something simple and unique for me to do!

Our craft room (more like a storage closet) has a ton of different crafting supplies available. With having little kids and being an avid fan of making things myself at home, there were a million and one crafts I could jump at. Any type of project I could imagine was right at my fingertips. At times, having so many options can be overwhelming, so I decided to make a list of some of my favorite crafts for adults. Whenever I find myself repeating last Sunday’s predicament, I just cross another craft off the list. It’s simple and easy, and it keeps me from staring at our crafting supplies for hours on end before I finally decide what it is that I’m going to do with my free time. I hope this list helps you as much as it helps me, and by all means, feel free to add your own amazing additions!

20+ Incredible Crafts For Adults

I’ve shown you my list of crafts for adults. What are some of your favorite crafts to make when you have free time?

11 Beginner Tie Dye Tutorials and Tips

August 1, 2016 by FaveCrafts Leave a Comment

Learning how to tie dye is one of those useful life skills that often go underappreciated. I remember tie dying shirts at birthday parties when I was little and having a blast, so it’s my opinion that the world would be a little more cheerful if we all learned to tie dye. For one thing, there are so many tie dye tutorials out there, you can’t possibly run out of ideas. And not only can you have a lot of fun with it, it’s a great way to help your kids or grandkids create their own memories as they make amazing projects. Check out the lists below for tutorials and tips for making some truly wonderful tie dye projects today!

Tips to Get Started

100% cotton material is your best bet. For clothes, a basic 100% cotton T-shirt creates a perfect canvas that will hold dye the best.
Experiment with different styles. From striped patterns to spirals, there are tons of tie dye patterns out there to choose from. If you do your research (by checking out the tutorials below!) you can choose the best pattern for what you want to accomplish. Don’t be afraid to branch out and choose something a little different!
Combine colors for amazing effects. Pick colors that will blend well together, because the dyes that are next to each other will form new colors that you may not want! For instance, rather than sticking that pink right next to the green, consider placing it near your orange or yellow spots.
Rinse under cold water before throwing your project in the washing machine! That will prevent dye from getting over your other garments. You will also need to wash the shirt (or whatever your project is!) by itself the first few times in the washing machine, again with cold water.

Tie Dye Tutorials to Try

Bullseye Tie Dye Technique
- This technique is a tried-and-true tie dye method that yields beautiful results. The bullseye is like the poster child of the tie dye world: you’ll definitely want to try this tie dye tutorial out!
Crumple Tie Dye Technique
- You’ll fall in love with simple yet spunky tie dye pattern that will wow everyone who sees it. This is another classic tie dye design that you’ll likely recognize. Add it to your list to make!
Swirl Tie Dye Technique
- I have a confession to make – I know you shouldn’t play favorites, but this is my favorite one! I remember using this technique when I was little to create an awesome T-shirt. This is a great one to choose if you’re having a hard time deciding where to start.
Sunburst Tie Dye Technique
- Pictured is just one of the many ways you can use this cheerful tie dye pattern to create your own masterpiece. This one is extra fun, because you can make many small sunbursts or one giant one for a pop of color!
Heart Tie Dye Technique
- Similar to the bullseye, this beautiful tie dye pattern is right up your alley if you’re looking for a gift for your daughter or granddaughter, or an activity you can do with them. It’s sure to yield awe-inspiring results!
Batik Tie Dye Technique
- This tie dye pattern is not only incredibly lovely, it’s a fun alternative to more classic tie dye designs. Get your crafting cap on, because this fun tutorial is totally worth your time!
Abstract Drip Dye Tee
- For something a littler different, this abstract drip technique will yield a playful result that will wow everyone who sees it. You’ll definitely have fun with this twist on traditional tie dye.

Want more great ideas? Be sure to check out 100+ Tie Dye Patterns and Techniques.

What’s the coolest tie dye project you’ve made?

DIY Wreath: How To Make a Weatherproof Fabric Wreath

April 27, 2015 by Roberta Birnbaum 3 Comments

Would you believe I have never had a wreath on my door? Well I figured it was about time to have one, and the best part is that it is a weatherproof fabric wreath.

Using Powertex®, which is a fabric hardener, allows me to work with fabric, sculpt it however I like and then place it outside if I desire.

Materials:

Fabric, cut into strips
Powertex® Fabric Hardener: red, yellow, green, blueish-grey, transparent
Powertex® Colortrix: red pearl, bronze gold, pearl
ZipDry™
Sphagnum moss
Raffia
Powertex® Easy Varnish
Embellishments
Wreath form and hanger 12″ diameter
Americana® brushes, trays for paint
Westcott Titanium scissors
Disposable gloves
Skewers

You are going to need at least 60strips of fabric for a 12″ diameter wreath. This is allowing for adding other objects to the circle. Different fabrics will absorb the Powertex differently, and therefore add interest to the project. I used 100% cotton t-shirt, cotton apron with lace, and a floral pillowcase.

Roberta Birnbaum Powertex Fabric Wreath for Spring

The t-shirt strips are 1 1/2 ” by 8″.

The other fabric strips are 1″ by 8″.

How to cut strips (the easy way)

Usually if you are cutting a t-shirt, you will only want to get a Men’s XL or bigger. (better value). Cut off the sleeves and all fabric above the armpits.

I am going to show you how to cut strips using a pillowcase because it is essentially the same thing.

Cut off the hem around the top of the pillowcase.
Fold in half lengthwise, but leave 1/4 inch exposed. (Figure 1)
With your scissors, starting at the fold, cut across to the folded material and stop just before you reach the other fold. This ensures all the strips stay together. (Figure 2)
Unfold strips to reveal the longer strips. (Figure 3)
Cut off any seams or stitching. Then cut and separate your strips.

Instructions:

Plan out your wreath. Decide on the placement of your fabrics and colors. I actually attached all the fabric in a ‘dry run'(and then untied all of them). I don’t necessarily recommend you do that because it is time-consuming, but I found that it was very helpful to me. Drawing a sketch is also very helpful.

Put on your gloves. Paint base with a solid color. I used green and painted both the front and back. The ensures that my entire base is sealed and protected. Let it dry.
Make sure you work on a non-stick surface. Powertex will not stick to craft mats, plastic, or aluminium.
Fill separate shallow trays with red, yellow, and green.
Dip your strips into the various colors and create different color combinations. I achieved the beautiful red/coral/pink hues by playing around with the red, yellow and transparent colors. Remove excess paint from each strip and then tie it onto the wreath.
Using skewers you can manipulate the wet fabric into any shape.
I grabbed a handful of the moss and dipped it into the yellow powertex and then stuck it to the wreath ( Powertex bonds).
Add various embellishments. Attach raffia with the glue to the back of the wreath.
Once the wreath is dry, dry brush with Colortrix and varnish. You can dip the end of your brush into the varnish and then dip it into the Colortrix, picking up the powder on your bristles. Blend on a plate and then brush. Let the wreath cure for at least 4 days before you put it outside.

Have you ever made a wreath?

Follow FaveCrafts’s board DIY Wreaths for All Seasons on Pinterest.

Link Love: Coffee Cozies

August 29, 2013 by FaveCrafts 3 Comments

I can’t live without my morning cup of coffee. The second I wake up, I immediately head to my kitchen so I can start brewing a fresh cup. On the weekends, I love sitting down with a cup of coffee and a newspaper – it really is the perfect combination. I drink hot coffee all year long and as I’ve found, when the temperature decrease, it’s hard to keep my hot coffee, well, hot.

Luckily, there are plenty of coffee cup cozies to make for the upcoming winter months. You can crochet them, knit them or even sew them. You can also use upcycled materials for this project, so there’s no need to splurge on fabric. Coffee cup cozies can be understated and simple, like the Cabled Coffee Cozy, or they can feature memorable designs like the Snowman Mug Hug. Coffee cozies also make great gifts, especially during the holiday season. The Manly Coffee Jacket is a great option for that hard-to-buy-for person in your life. Dads, bosses and friends will definitely appreciate this simple cozy, especially because the pattern makes it look like a muddy tire.

You might think it’s a little early for coffee cozies, but fall and winter are just around the corner! Don’t get caught sipping cold java – make one of these cozies and keep it close by just in case. While you’re at it, make a few and give them away as gifts throughout the fall and during the holiday season.

Greensleeves Coffee Cozy from Cornflower Blue Studio
“Warm Heart” Coffee Cozy from The Perfect Pear Pair
Pick a Pocket Cozies from Simply Notable
Easy Crochet Mug Cozy from Akamatra
Slate Coffee Sleeve from For the Makers
Diagonal Knot Mug Cozy from Purl Avenue
Felted Coffee Cozy from This Heart of Mine
Mustache Cup Cozy from Luv in the Mommyhood
Valentine’s Coffee Cozy from Setting for Four

Brighten Up Your Space With This DIY Fabric Photo Holder

August 28, 2013 by FaveCrafts 1 Comment

This project is brought to you by Latrice Murphy from Any Occasion.

I’m gearing up for craft show season and thought it would be great to share with you this fun project I plan on selling this year. It’s inexpensive and you can make it to match your home just by choosing the right fabric.

This is what your finished board will look like. Mine fits two 5″ X 7″ photos in either landscape or portrait direction. I love that you can mix it up.

Materials you’ll need:

Board cut to whatever size you would like
Fabric of your choice
Staple Gun
Felt
Glue gun
Large magnetic clips

Directions:

Cut your board to size.

Lay your board down on your fabric and trim it leaving about 2 inches on all four sides.

Trim all four corners at a 45 degree angle. This will make the corners nice and tight.

Start folding the fabric back stapling along the way. Start on one side, then the opposite and pull it snug.

Using your hot glue gun measure and adhere clips in the spots.

Lastly, measure and cut felt down to cover the back. This gives it a nice finished look.

I think I’ll make these as gifts for Christmas. I just have to find out everyone’s interior home colors. My daughter has already asked for one for her room. Have fun creating one of your own!

Get Decorating with Christmas Burlap Projects!

August 13, 2013 by AllFreeChristmasCrafts 1 Comment

I am generally not a huge fan of color. I love black and white, gray, and recently taupe, but I’ve never been big on bright pinks or highlighter yellows or pastels. While I totally cherish Christmas and holiday decorating, I also love the idea of decorating with neutrals. My lack of a love of color is probably why I absolutely adore burlap in all of my Christmas crafting!

Shabby chic crafts are becoming more and more popular with each passing day, and one of the best ways to achieve a rustic look is with burlap. These 21 Christmas craft ideas are a fabulous way to get started with your burlap decorating. Even if you like color a little more than me (and you probably do), you can always use colored burlap instead. 😉

Handmade Christmas Decorations

If you are totally crazy about burlap and you just want to cover your house in it, then boy are you in for a treat. Be sure to check out any of these DIY stockings, like the Burlap Bag Stocking or the Lots of Spots Stockings. Maybe you’ve finished decorating your mantel quite a while ago and you want some embellishments for your tree. Try one of many homemade garland ideas, like the Burlap Christmas Garland or the Burlap and Tulle Garlands. If that isn’t enough, we have burlap Christmas wreaths, table setting ideas, pillows, miniature trees, and more! Burlap projects abound here at AllFreeChristmasCrafts, so give them a try today!

Christmas Ornament Crafts

Are you just looking for a little project to make with burlap? Try any of these three Christmas ornament crafts. Make some wild and fun Pom Burlap Christmas Ornaments. Maybe you want to take rustic to a new level and make the Rustic Burlap Jar Ornament instead. If you’re not feeling quite so wild or rustic, make the Sweet Burlap Heart Ornament. You are sure to love the results when you make any of these wonderful burlap projects.

For more fabulous shabby chic crafts, check out the 7 Thrifty Christmas Craft Ideas eBook!

Now we have to ask, what crafts do you like to make with burlap?

New Fabric Line Available at Michaels Stores

June 29, 2013 by FaveCraftsBlog 1 Comment

Starting today, you can walk into your local Michaels Stores and get your hands on some fabric for your next craft project. Michaels announces the addition of pre-cut craft fabric to the thousands of creative products available in its stores, providing customers with one-stop shopping for their DIY projects.

The pre-cut fabric, includes cotton, canvas, burlap, felt, faux fur, crushed velvet and tulle, and will be available in a variety of sizes from a half-yard to 2 yards. The pre-cut fabric will be carried in the majority of U.S. and Canada stores.

“With the addition of crafting fabric to our mix, our customers can find everything they need for their projects in one store,” said Michaels Executive Vice President of Category Management Philo Pappas. “And because the fabrics are pre-cut, customers can simply select the size they need and be on their way – no waiting for measuring and cutting.”

Michaels.com and Michaels Pinterest Boards feature project ideas that use fabric, including throw pillows, lamp shades, chair seat covers, and bracelets. Laminated burlap, a Michaels limited exclusive, can be fed through most home printers to add personalized messages and images to fabric projects.

Other crafting fabrics available at Michaels include costume silk, glittered tulle, sequined tulle, faux Sherpa, silky fleece and embossed alligator and snake prints.

Michaels also sells a complete line of sewing supplies, including needles, thread, fabric shears, bobbins and notions.

Stay tuned for a free new project featuring Michaels’ new fabric line next week. In the meantime, you can head over to your local Michaels and grab some of this brand new product to work on some of these great free sewing projects.

Link Love: Tote Bags

May 23, 2013 by FaveCrafts 3 Comments

Summer is the season of totes. You can take them to the beach, the market or out on the town – they’re just so versatile. Since there’s so much room in a standard-sized tote, you can store everything from a book to a beach towel. You can even throw your computer in a tote bag and head to your favorite corner cafe – is there a better way to spend a summer afternoon?

Now is the perfect time to make your own summer tote bag. You can use brand new fabric for your project or upcycle an old t-shirt. Add fun words, phrases or designs to your bag so it sticks out from a sea of store-bought items. T-shirts are an ideal resource if you want to create bags and save money at the same time. You can maintain the design on a shirt or, if you’re feeling artsy, you can make a Groovy T-Shirt Tote and create your own image using paint. You don’t have to stick with t-shirts to create a fabulous tote, though. Outdated velvet wall hanging work well when creating a sturdy but attractive Repurposed Fabric Tote. Not in the mood to sew? Gather up your yarn and a hook and crochet a Beach Tote Bag using bright, summer colors.

Tote bags are versatile, fun to wear and easy to make – who could ask for more? Start summer with a brand new bag and wear it all season long. When it’s time to head out the door for some summer fun, you can throw all of your belongings into your handmade tote and hit the road!

Polka Dot Tote from Tinkerfinca
Fussy Cut Tote Bag from Wag Doll
Beach Tote from Fabric, Paper Glue
Dip Dyed Tote from Kristine Eldridge
Repurposed Vintage Tablecloth Crossbody Tote from My So-Called Crafty Life
DIY Bird Stamped Canvas Tote from A Bird’s Leap
Monster Tote Bag from an Old Cushion Cover from My Poppet
DIY Canvas Tote from Liz Marie
DIY Compartmented Produce/Farmer’s Market Bag from La Vie DIY

For more free tote bag patterns, download our free eBooks!

How to Make a Purse: 20 Patterns for Sewing Totes, Bags and More

12 Beautiful Tote Purse Patterns

Sewing Bags: Tutorials You’ll Love & 15 Free Purse Sewing Patterns

How to Make a Purse: 20 Patterns for Sewing Totes, Bags and More

Save Big, Craft More: Use Upcycled Materials for Your Next DIY Project

May 3, 2013 by FaveCrafts 2 Comments

This post is brought to you by Mary Egan of Craft Foxes.

We all know that times are tough and you can’t always afford to buy new crafting materials or supplies. But never fear – there are crafting supplies and opportunities right under your nose! Your teacup collection can become a new dessert stand and old sweaters can become smart accent pillows for the couch. The possibilities are endless when you start to view everything through the lens of upcycling. Upcycling is a great way to create new and exciting items out of things you already own and may not use. Here are four fun upcycling crafts that might just spark your innovative side.

This book purse is one of the most popular upcycled craft ideas. It may pain some bibliophiles to dismember their favorite stories, but this is a great way to show your appreciation of the written word and display your crafting skills. For this craft, you’ll need an old book, some fabric to line the inside of your handbag, glue, a utility knife, and a sewing machine. It’s a great craft for book lovers of any age, but also a great craft for teens. Use this craft as an opportunity to teach them that they can make their own fun and unique handbags without spending a great deal of money.

Let’s face it—we all have t-shirts lying around that could use some jazzing up. Rather than leaving that blank, white t-shirt all crumpled at the back of your dresser drawer, why not upcycle it and create a whole new piece of clothing? This cool, DIY t-shirt design can be done simply with some fabric paint and the eraser on a pencil. Simply dip your eraser into the paint and begin creating a pattern you’d like on your T-shirt. Create any shape or design — it’s up to you! For more great upcycling ideas, check out 11 Creative T Shirt Crafts for Kids and Teens on FaveCrafts.

Visit CraftFoxes for more information on how to upcycle an old T-shirt!

Teacups are a beautiful accessory to keep around the house and you can even use them to create new home decor pieces. For instance, teacups make great candleholders! They can become light fixtures, flower pots, dessert stands or even wall clocks. The great thing about teacups is that they come as ready-made crafting pieces. They already have gorgeous designs on them—all they need to add is your imagination. Once you’ve finished creating a Teacup Candleholder, create a Teapot Flowers Topiary for your table.

At the end of winter, you might find that you have some sweaters that no longer fit you, or you simply don’t like the look anymore. Here is a fun and frugal way to recycle those sweaters and create a pretty patchwork accent for a couch or armchair. You’ll need to cut your sweaters into eighteen 7-inch squares to cover a 20-inch square pillow form. Simply sew the squares to the pillow and you’ve got a great new piece with which to decorate your home. Still in the mood to create? Check out another creative tutorial for Recycled Sweater Throw Pillows.

Have you tried any upcycled crafts lately? What did you make?

Link Love: Pretty Pinwheels

April 11, 2013 by FaveCrafts 5 Comments

Nothing screams spring like pretty pinwheels. To me, they indicate warm weather and cool breezes – pretty sweet if you ask me. You can make pinwheels that stand alone and decorate your lawn or you can use them to decorate a wreath or garland. Step outside the box and use unexpected materials like Post-It Notes and vintage book pages to create your own versions of these delightful spring crafts. When you’re finished you’ll be ready to embrace the glorious aspects of spring and summer.

There are so many fun pinwheel craft ideas and you don’t have to be an expert to create them. Use metal wire and beads to create your own Pinwheel Jewelry Plant Stake. This is a great way to get rid of odds and ends while still creating something substantial that you can display all season long. If you’re hosting an outdoor gathering or party in the next few months, you’ll want to decorate your space to fit the mood. Make a bunch of Polka Dot Paradise Pinwheels and add them to your front lawn or backyard – they add a pretty touch to a sparse space. This project is super easy, so you can ask the kids to help. If you just want to add a cool, crafty touch to your space, make a bunch of paper pinwheels and glue them to a wreath form. A Pretty Paper Pinwheel Wreath looks good all year long and never goes out of style.

Spring has sprung, so it’s time to celebrate. Capture the fun and excitement of the season with a few pretty pinwheel crafts. Big or small, your creation is sure to put you in a good mood. Grab your favorite supplies (fabric, paper, or something else entirely) and unleash your creativity!

Fabric Pinwheel Flower by Little Livingstone
Little Golden Books Pinwheels by Tried and True
Spring Pinwheel Wreath from The Cards We Drew
Vintage Book Page Pinwheel Banner from Ella Claire
Post-it Pinwheels from Smart School House
Pinwheel Bouquet & Boutonniere from My Own Labels
Pinwheel & Pearl Cupcake Topper from Poofy Cheeks
Prairie Points Pinwheel from Sewn Up by TeresaDownUnder
Oversized Pinwheels from Design Editor