Hi There,
I have another baby related project for you expecting mothers out there. I jazzed up a plastic wipes case with a bit of scrap fabric and ribbon. This is a no sew project, so all you need is a hot glue gun. Click here for a printable PDF tutorial of the project.
Supplies:
Directions:
Step One: Hot Glue Case
If you get the same case as me, the top has a pop top to pull out wipes. Since you're covering that part up, you don't want it to pop open under the fabric once you've finished covering the case. I simply took hot glue and sealed up the top.
Step Two: Stretch the Fabric Over the Plastic
I did two travel cases two different ways. With this pink fabric, I had two pieces of fabric: one for the top and one for the bottom. I did it this way because I barely had any fabric to use for the project.
The second case with the dots, I did one piece of fabric for the entire case. I would suggest this. Regardless of the method you choose, you need to stretch the fabric over the plastic case and attach with hot glue.
When stretching fabric for something like this or even if you decide to recover a chair cushion, the method is the same. You need to start in the middle and work your way out. So, first attach the fabric in the middle on each of the four sides. Then slowly work your way out. The corners will be the last part. I just folded them over neatly and secured with hot glue. Be careful with the hot glue...it's such a little space for you to stretch, you can burn yourself easily. (I had a nice blister on my finger to prove that!)
I would also make sure that none of your fabric (or ribbon) goes over the lip of the case. Otherwise, you're going to have difficulty closing the case, and might have fabric that fringes. If it does go over the lip, take some small scissors and cut away the excess fabric before moving on to the next step.
Step Three: Attach the Ribbon
To attach ribbon, you will want to start at the place the case folds. Get as far into the crevice as you can to avoid fringing and showing the unfinished edge. I started out with this aqua ribbon, but it turned out to be too wide. You'll want a ribbon that is narrow enough to fit under the lip of the case, but isn't sticking out too far from the bottom. I moved to a small ribbon that was about a 1/4 of an inch wide. Slowly attach the ribbon to the case using hot glue. Work your way around the case.
Step Four: You're done!
You have a nice reusable wipes case for your diaper bag! The project took me about two hours total (but goes much quicker when you know what you're doing).
Back of dots case. As you can see, if you use one piece of fabric, you get a more finished back.
I have another baby related project for you expecting mothers out there. I jazzed up a plastic wipes case with a bit of scrap fabric and ribbon. This is a no sew project, so all you need is a hot glue gun. Click here for a printable PDF tutorial of the project.
Supplies:
- Fabric (I grabbed some scrap fabric I had sitting around and just eyeballed it when cutting it to fit the plastic wipes container I found) You can either cut the fabric so you have two pieces (top and a bottom piece) or cut the fabric so you have on piece for the entire case. I would suggest cutting one piece if you have enough fabric. The results are much cleaner and process is easier.
- Ribbon or Braided Edging (This is to finish the edges and keep the fabric from fraying. The braided edging adds a more finished edge, but I didn't want to buy more supplies)
- Plastic Travel Wipes Case (I got a Huggies one from the diaper section for 2$)
- Hot Glue Gun & Sticks (around 5$ at your local retailer)
Directions:
Step One: Hot Glue Case
If you get the same case as me, the top has a pop top to pull out wipes. Since you're covering that part up, you don't want it to pop open under the fabric once you've finished covering the case. I simply took hot glue and sealed up the top.
Step Two: Stretch the Fabric Over the Plastic
I did two travel cases two different ways. With this pink fabric, I had two pieces of fabric: one for the top and one for the bottom. I did it this way because I barely had any fabric to use for the project.
The second case with the dots, I did one piece of fabric for the entire case. I would suggest this. Regardless of the method you choose, you need to stretch the fabric over the plastic case and attach with hot glue.
When stretching fabric for something like this or even if you decide to recover a chair cushion, the method is the same. You need to start in the middle and work your way out. So, first attach the fabric in the middle on each of the four sides. Then slowly work your way out. The corners will be the last part. I just folded them over neatly and secured with hot glue. Be careful with the hot glue...it's such a little space for you to stretch, you can burn yourself easily. (I had a nice blister on my finger to prove that!)
I would also make sure that none of your fabric (or ribbon) goes over the lip of the case. Otherwise, you're going to have difficulty closing the case, and might have fabric that fringes. If it does go over the lip, take some small scissors and cut away the excess fabric before moving on to the next step.
Step Three: Attach the Ribbon
To attach ribbon, you will want to start at the place the case folds. Get as far into the crevice as you can to avoid fringing and showing the unfinished edge. I started out with this aqua ribbon, but it turned out to be too wide. You'll want a ribbon that is narrow enough to fit under the lip of the case, but isn't sticking out too far from the bottom. I moved to a small ribbon that was about a 1/4 of an inch wide. Slowly attach the ribbon to the case using hot glue. Work your way around the case.
Step Four: You're done!
You have a nice reusable wipes case for your diaper bag! The project took me about two hours total (but goes much quicker when you know what you're doing).
Back of dots case. As you can see, if you use one piece of fabric, you get a more finished back.
2 comments
FYI - I searched forever for plastic cases WITHOUT the pop up thing for a project like this. Finally found them at Boone Dollar General. :)
I've always used the ones with the pop up top and it hasn't been an issue. I actually have seen people making them with the pop up showing but I would think it's easier to use them without.
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