Just my musings about life, quilting, my family and my dog.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Scrap Bin Tutorial


I was in Bonnie Hunter’s class at Road to California just minding my own business when the gal next to me (Hi, Buff) grabbed my little trash container and started gushing about it.  She showed Bonnie who also liked it so I decided to write a tutorial about it.  If you like it you can make one for yourself.








 MATERIALS NEEDED:
1 empty cube-shaped Kleenex box
Glue - I use Elmer's School Glue
A brush
A small container to mix glue and water
A piece of fabric 13 X 20.5
1" piece of hook and loop tape













Carefully open up the ends of the box


and remove the plastic film from inside the top.











Cut a piece of fabric 13 inches by 20.5 inches.  A fat quarter works great for this. If possible, leave the selvedge on one of the 13-inch edges.


Next, pour about  4 Tablespoons of glue into a small container.  I mix in about 1/2 teaspoon of water to make it easier to spread.  Stir it up well and use a brush to apply the glue.


I start on the top and center the fabric over the hole.  Place the fabric so the short side goes from open end to open end and the long side wraps around the box. I know this fabric looks different.  Good observation!  It is different because as I was putting this tutorial together, I thought a photo of this step would be good but I didn't take one when I made the original box.

Repeat the process for the two sides.

On the bottom, I overlap the ends, gluing the selvedge edge on top for a nice, clean finish.  Hopefully, you were able to leave the selvedge when you cut. If not, just turn the end under and use a bit more glue to make it all stick.


Let it dry for a good long time, at least until it’s not too tacky.  I put a fan on mine to speed it up a little.
 



Turn the box so the hole is on top.  Locate the hole and cut and "X" through the hole from edge to edge. Trim 1/2 inch inside the hole, so you are leaving about 1/2 inch of excess fabric.  Cut slits into the extra 1/2 inch of fabric about every 1/2 inch so it will easily turn to the inside of the hole.
 Working from the inside, apply glue around the hole and smooth the fabric to the inside.  When it looks good and smooth, go wash your hands.  Mine were a mess.








See how there is a little gap between the short and long flaps at the ends?



Cut into the gap right alongside the short end-flaps so there is a little fabric to wrap around the long end-flaps.






Trim the fabric on the short ends to about ½ inch.  Use more glue and turn the fabric to the inside.
 










Then, glue along the edges of the long ends and wrap that skinny strip of fabric over the edge.  This will give the outer flap a nice appearance.














Let it DRY COMPLETELY.   Now would be a good time for a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, put your feet up and just wait patiently.
OK, my fingers are clean and I am ready to continue.
Fold up 1/2 inch of fabric on the long ends and  press.   Fold up another ½ inch and press again.
 


Cut two 1-inch sections of hook and loop tape.
Turn the box so the hole is on the top.  Fold in the short side flaps and then the top and bottom flaps.  See how much the top flap overlaps the bottom flap. It should be at least the width of your hook and loop tape.  Adjust the folds of fabric on the top and bottom flaps so you have enough overlap.





Center the scratchy side of the hook and loop tape on the upper flap.




Using an old needle, sew the fabric to the flap, catching the hook and loop tape in the seam.  I also sewed around the tape to make sure it was good and secure.



 Fold the bottom flap up and mark where you need to attach the fuzzy half of the tape so it will line up with the scratchy side.

Put the tape on the RIGHT side of the bottom flap and stitch it as you did the top flap.





Step back and admire your new scrap bin.  It is ready to accept scraps and threads and what nots.






It folds flat so you can take it to class or retreat.  The ends open so you can empty it.  What's not to love?


I'd love to see a picture of yours if you make one.



Reduce Reuse Recycle.  It's a good thing.


57 comments:

  1. You are a genius. Stand up and take a bow!! I use empty kleenex boxes to collect used dryer sheets, but never thought to do something like this!!! ~karen

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  2. Bonnie sent me over to see your box! Too cute! I am going to make one today! You are so smart. :o)

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  3. Very cute and so nice for you to post a "how to". I came from Bonnie's site too and now have another blog to read. Thanks!

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  4. Bonnie sent me! Thanks for the tutorial for the folding trash bin. It is just in time to make a few for a class I am going to in April at the International Quilt Festival.

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  5. Too cool! No more taping a lunch bag to the table. :) Thanks to Bonnie for sending us here.

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  6. I saw this on Bonnie's site and was thrilled to see the link to your blog. Can't wait to make this and share the idea with members of my guild!

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  7. Thank you for the tutorial -- what a clever project! I read about you on Bonnie's blog. :)

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  8. Thanks for sharing how to make this awesome little gem! I too, love and enjoy reading Bonnie's blog, and now I will be adding another one to my reading list!

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  9. Brilliant idea! I'm going to make one soon! I came over from Bonnie's blog:) and I'm now a follower.

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  10. Fantastic! Very green. I'm going to share on FB. Thanks.

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  11. Bonnie sent me. Great idea. Over 10 years ago I decoupaged a Klennex box, opened the bottom flap and insert new tissues as needed. It looks great in my studio. Your idea for a trash box is one I'll try Sonia.

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  12. Bonnie sent me!!! Great idea! I'm going on a retreat in October....I'm wondering if I could get 10 of these made by then to give as gifties. :)

    Thanks!

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  13. Thanks for that great tutorial! So many "how-tos" don't give enough detail or photos of the tricky parts. Thanks for really sharing. I love that it folds flat for travel!

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  14. Bonnie sent me too... what a great idea this is and even better that you can fold it up and take it to class with you! I'm thinking one would be good in the living room next to the sofa on which I sit to sew down binding to receive all the little bits of thread... I might have to make a couple of these! Thanks for the tutorial!

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  15. I'm a Bonnie tourist too. Lovely idea!

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  16. This is great! I was just thinking I needed another waste basket in my sewing room and this one is perfect for me to put on my shelf when I am at the ironing board!! I can't wait to make one, just have to have more sneezing attacks so I can hurry up and empty a box!!! Thanks for the tutorial! So glad Bonnie sent me over!

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  17. I think there's one tissue left in my bedroom box. I know what I'm going to be doing this weekend. Thanks for the great tutorial - and for Bonnie sending me your direction.

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  18. Hi from another Bonnie visitor.

    Lovely idea - I sent your link to my guild members too! Thanks bunches!

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  19. Thanks for sharing this- great idea! Another Bonnie tourist!

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  20. Thank-you for sharing this cute idea and thanks to Bonnie for sending us over to you.I love recycling throw away item .Thanks again.

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  21. Thanks for sharing your great idea. As just about everyone else, Bonnie sent me. lol Hugs

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  22. great litte box, great tutorial...I know what I'm doing today

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  23. Bonnie sent me too! Just love this it would make a wonderful gift for Project Linus Blanketeers!

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  24. I'm also here via Bonnie. Thank you very much for the clever tutorial.

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  25. Love it ! Can't wait to make one!


    Very clever, and you created a nice, clear, easy to follow tutorial. Thanks so much !

    Beth

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  26. That is a great idea! I think of quilters as the ultimate recyclers. Bonnie sent me over to see the tutorial. I can't wait to share this with my guild!

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  27. What a neat idea! Thank you for the tutorial. I may have to make a few of these for my quilty buddies for a surprise at our next retreat.
    Catherine in SW IN

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  28. Oh no, hubby just squished our square "Puffs Plus" box and threw it away THIS MORNING!! Do I dare buy another box just to get the form to make this scrap bin that I love?? Thanks for the tutorial. Bonnie sent me too!!

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  29. Look what you started? Bonnie is helping get traffic to your Tutorial! Lucky Gal. It is a great Idea...Love the portable part especially.

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  30. Bonnie sent me! Fantastic idea - many thanks for the instructions!

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  31. Great! Now I have to go BUY a box of Kleenexes, find something else to put them in so I can make one of these. Look what you've done!!
    (Absolutely love it!)

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  32. I came from Bonnie's site also. Thanks for the tutorial, I have a box I saved and was thinking it would be good for something quilt related. Now I can make one. Love it.

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  33. Hey Chris Bonnie sent me too :0)
    Very sweet......
    nice job on the tutorial too..........
    we're all gonna make one.....and ya know you could leave the fabric across the top and use it to hide a toilet paper roll.

    Happy Sewing

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  34. Thank you for the tutorial. It is a really cute idea and very portable. Bonnie said it was easy.Pat

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  35. Bonnie sent me too. What a great idea. I am going to make acouple for the kids to put on the desks in their rooms - pencil shavings UGH!!!!

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  36. I'm late getting here, but want to say thanks for sharing your neat covered snippetts box. As many said, I read about it from BH..
    I shall return to see what else you do..

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  37. I, too, came over from Quiltville. Thanks for the cute idea and the tutorial. Great idea! I love the recycling aspect, not to mention that the trash bin is attractive AND portable!

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  38. Bonnie sent me too. I'm from Australia and will be making one of these very soon. Thanks!

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  39. Now I have to go empty a tissue box!

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  40. Wow Chris! This is adorable! Bonnie linked us in and I'm gonna make this as a party favor for our next little (there are 4 of us) retreat. I'm adding you to my reader - I don't want to miss anything!

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  41. I'm sure glad Bonnie pointed me in this direction! I am the program chairman for my local guild and have been looking for a "thank you" giftie for guild members who do demos at our meetings. This should do nicely! Thanks so much for the great tutorial and the sharing spirit.

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  42. Isn't the internet great. From Bonnies site to yours. Love the tut. My granddaughters would love this or make a great gift for other quilters.
    Thank you

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  43. AWESOME IDEA! Saw this on Bonnie's blog so had to come peek. Thanks for the tute!

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  44. Ohh. this is great I am going to make one for me. And if it is ok with you i am going to use it for my demo at my quilt guild. We have a lady that ask for all our scraps of fabric and thread, that we would normally trash, she make dog beds for the rescue place
    Yvonne B.

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  45. I will make a thread box this weekend to use at our retreat next weekend. Thanks to Bonnie for sending me to your site.

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  46. hi Chris, thank you for this clever tutorial! Will give it a try. Bonnie sent me to your blog, I'm excited to meet her in 2 weeks here in Germany! hugs Brigitte

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  47. Hi Chris. I saw this on Bonnie's Facebook page and blog. Love it! So much easier than taking a paper bag and tape to serve as a trash basket in class. Can't wait to empty out my square kleenex box so I can make one. I wonder if you could submit this to Moda Bake Shop so that more people could see it and make it?

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  48. Bonnie sent me over. Will be making one this weekend thanks for sharing.

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  49. I was catching up on reading blogs and saw this with Bonnie Hunter so I thought I would take a look. what a great iedal Love it and will be making one.

    have a great day

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  50. Bonnie sent me, too.
    Your idea is wonderful
    I can make a couple, fold 'em flat and mail them to my sisters-in-law.

    Thanks for posting so we, too, can have one.

    Gerry

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  51. I loved your idea so much I had to make one...finished it last night. I'm a Bonnie groupie and she sent me your way. Thanks for sharing the 'how-to'.

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  52. Hey from Alabama - Bonnie sent me! Very, very cute! Thanks for posting!

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  53. I love this idea. I'll be using it for a small garbage for my car. I'm sick of everyone dropping things on the floor or putting in pockets behind seats. And it's easy to empty at the gas station while waiting. I'm glad I saw this on Bonnie's site. Thanks for the great idea!

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  54. Bonnie sent me there today as I only noticed it today, February as been a crazy busy month for me and I'm glad I saw it today which will give me an excuse to sew and make one for my sewing room! Thanks for the super cute idea.
    Heather in Eastern Canada
    velvet_23@hotmail.com

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  55. Bonnie sent me the link to your blog awhile ago and I finally got around to making myself one last night. I had a blast making it and would like to send you a picture of the finished product!
    Heather
    velvet_23@hotmail.com

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