Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Fabric strips tutorial...

I know that it's still winter here in Utah but we have had just enough sunny days here and there to give me spring fever......which leads to Spring decorating.....so here's something that I made for my family room and I thought it would be fun to share it with you.

I decided to use one of the honey buns that I have in my stash...this is one of my favorite lines ....Snippets by Sandy Klop.
(if you are not using a honey bun, you will need to cut 1 1/2" strips across the width of fabric...make sure to keep the selvedges on, you will need them)

You will need one 3" styrofoam ball for each 1 1/2" strip of fabric.

A good pair of pinking shears. (you will want to use these for cutting to prevent fraying)



Your hot glue gun with plenty of glue.


Finally, a container to put them in.


Unroll your honey bun but leave each strip folded for easier cutting.
Now cut each strip in half with your pinking shears so that you now have 2 strips that measure about 3/4" x WOF out of the same fabric.
IMPORTANT- Leave selvedge on both ends. You will need them.



Begin by placing a drop of glue onto the ball and place the selvedge onto the glue.

When glue is cool enough, roll fabric firmly (but not too tightly) around ball and just barely overlap the edges of fabric enough to cover the styrofoam.

Place another dot of glue every couple of rounds to secure.



When you come to the end of the first strip, place a dot of glue on it and continue on with the second strip.
You will need both of them to cover one 3" ball.





First one done!


I like how the words on the selvedge look on each end. I think they add more texture and character to each ball.












I chose this basket that I have had for a long time because I still really love it and it was the perfect size to hold one ball from each of the fabrics in a honey bun.

I put the basket in my family room and now it looks like a little bit of Spring.
It's been a long time since I have covered styrofoam balls with fabric. I have done it several times in the past and I thought it would be fun to do it again.
I think it's a great way to show off a favorite line of fabric and also to brighten up a room with an extra punch of color and texture.
Just a few other things I have done are.... fall centerpieces with beautiful fall fabric.....snowballs with batting strips.....Halloween, Christmas and red white and blue fabric.
I have also covered styrofoam eggs with pastel fabrics at Easter time.
I've also used several different things besides wire baskets to put them on or in like vintage platters or bowls...or glass jars.
I have also used different sizes of styrofoam balls...larger ones and even tiny ones are fun in a bottle.
I'm sure you have lots of fun things in your house to use if you decide to do this easy project!

post signature

22 comments:

Diva Kreszl said...

oh these are just adorable, love all the spring colors!

Connie said...

Very spring looking! I done Christmas ball and put them in a basket with pine cones and set them on the fireplace, you can do alot with the balls.

Mona Lisa said...

Very nice ! Thanks

little acorns said...

I have some styrofoam balls that I got awhile ago. . . but never did cover them. . . now that I see your wonderful basketful . . . I know I will! Adorable! (thanks for the inspiration!)
xo, Bren

Nedra said...

The basket is perfect for your display. Fun tutorial. I used styrofoam balls for the first time a few months ago and put wool roses for a pomander. So many uses like you say!

dream quilt create said...

What a cute idea! It does look very springy. Today is the first day in ages that I am wearing short sleeves. Spring has sprung here :)

Elizabeth said...

Lori, you're so creative! I love the fabrics!

Melinda said...

It's funny to see these.
I made some of these years ago for my Mom's living room and I think I made some for Christmas one year.
Who knew they would be such "the rage" these days. :)
I like the colors you chose- they are sooooooooo springy.

Melinda

Kim Walus said...

What a great way to use a product that's been around a long time. I love seeing how you can take something old and make it new again. See you in a few days.

antique quilter said...

Very cute! I love that wire basket
I have a friend that has a beautiful glass vase she fills with these fabric balls, seasonally
looks great!
maybe I should try it, thanks for the tutorial
Kathie

Jan said...

Ohhhh what an adorable little project Lori! Tks so much for sharing and I loved the post below w/Sophie Belle and her new book :)

Micki said...

What a cute idea! I love it!
Micki

Mary Anne Drury said...

PERFECT !!! I have a basket just like that and I put(fake) colored leaves in it during the fall and Xmas balls in it during the holidays .... but I was stumped for a spring idea .... and your ideas is JUST PERFECT !! THANKS !!

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

Hi Lori! They turned out so cute! I love the color of your pretty nails to!

Hugs,
Maryjane

Sherry said...

Those are so cute! I love the Snippets line too. Great idea, thanks for sharing.

happy zombie said...

Oh Lori!!! HOW CUTE!!!

Rae Ann said...

This is such a darling idea and I love how cute they look in the basket. Where... oh... where do you get your darling ideas? Now I know why you don't sleep long hours at night... because your mind never shuts down it's creative mode. Very gifted... you are!
Fun being with you today. Love my fabric bundles to death!

Carrie P. said...

Very cute. I have a couple done up in my living room that I made several years ago. The colors you chose are so fun.

Unknown said...

It’s a stunning fabric decorating ideas, I love it how, you play with the fabrics, you are so innovative, and I like that.
decorator fabrics

Business Process Outsourcing said...

I love what you did to those balls. that were so clever of you wrapping it with cut fabrics. It looks beautiful.

~*Sharee*~ said...

What a cute idea; I can't wait to try this. I have so much material that I buy because it's so cute and "someday" I'm going to do something with it. LOL I know what I'll be doing on Monday on my day off work. :)

Hugs Shar

eileensideways said...

ahhh'dorable, as usual. love your tutorials.

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