4 Weekend Projects Using Things Your Already Own

Give new life to outgrown clothing, fabric and paper scraps, and other materials lying around the house with our wallet-friendly craft ideas.

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Fabric-Scrap Favor Packs

Guests will say "goody" when they get these cheerful bags. Made of fabric scraps, they sew up in a snap.

Materials
Fabric
Pinking shears
Ruler or measuring tape
Sewing machine
Candy

1. Cut an 11-by-7 1/2-inch piece of fabric with pinking shears.

2. Fold in half, right sides facing; machine-sew one short and each long side with a 1/2-inch seam allowance; turn inside out.

3. Fill bag with treats, and tie with a strip of contrasting fabric.

Related: 19 Tips for Perfect Laundry Every Time

Patchwork Throw

A diverse collection of castoffs becomes a dashing throw with a flexible design of squares and rectangles.

Materials
Rotary cutter
Cutting mat
Assorted menswear fabrics in similar weights (such as wool, flannel, cotton velvet, and corduroy)
Sewing machine and sewing supplies
Iron
4 yards cotton flannel (for insulation)
4 yards cotton shirting fabric (for backing)
Wool yarn (for ties)
Darning needle

1. Using a ruler, rotary cutter, and cutting mat, measure and cut rectangles from menswear fabrics. (This throw's rectangles are 4, 8, and 10 inches wide; lengths vary.) Arrange patches as desired, aligning same-width ones in rows. Pin patches together end to end as shown; sew with a 1/2-inch seam allowance to complete each row. Press seams open with iron. Pin rows together; sew with a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Press seams open.

2. Cut cotton flannel and shirting to size of finished quilt, with a 1/2-inch seam allowance on all sides (you may have to connect more than 1 piece to get the desired width). Layer and pin fabric pieces together: patchwork right side up, backing right side down, then flannel. Stitch around perimeter with a 1/2-inch seam allowance, leaving a 12-inch opening on 1 side. Clip corners; turn quilt right side out. Slip-stitch opening shut. Press quilt flat at edges.

3. With yarn and needle, make 1/4-inch tufting stitches at various intersections (keep the pattern random, not ordered). Poke needle through quilt along 1 seam, near an intersecting point; bring needle up on the other side of intersecting point. Tie a square knot; trim ends.

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Brooch Ribbon Necklace

Treat your sisters and girlfriends (and yourself) to jewelry that shimmers with style. Start with a handful of inexpensive costume pieces -- brooches and earrings with openwork designs -- and give them a new-old coppery patina using spray paint. Then link them together and add pretty pink ribbon. No one will guess you didn't break the bank.

Materials
Costume brooches (we used 6, about 2 inches wide) or earrings (we used about 5 pairs, 3/4 inch to 1 1/2 inches wide) with openwork designs, from Bijoux Way
Wire cutters
Sandpaper
Clear nail polish (optional)
Copper spray paint
Paper towels
1/4-inch jump rings
Needlenose pliers
1 1/2-inch-wide silk ribbon, cut into two 24-inch lengths

1. Snap off brooch or earring backs using wire cutters, and sand down any sharp bits so they won't catch on clothing. For extra protection, apply clear nail polish to the area; let dry.

2. For an antique look, coat pieces with spray paint, then quickly rub off most of the paint with a paper towel. Let dry.

3. Using jump rings (metal rings that open and close) and pliers, connect pieces in a pleasing order. Attach a ring at each end: Thread each ribbon halfway through the end rings; knot each ribbon at ring if desired. Tie behind neck to wear.

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Cereal Box Organizer

Kids go through cereal fast. Make use of all the empty boxes by turning them into handy holders for their desks.

Large boxes work well for books, small ones for supplies.

Materials
Utility knife
Contact paper
Double sided tape
Cereal boxes

1. Cut box with a utility knife at desired angle and height.

2. Wrap decorative or contact paper around box to see how much you'll need; unwrap; cut. Secure paper with double-sided tape; trim excess.

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Recycle your clothes! Shabd Simon-Alexander has made a career out of doing projects with things she already owns. When was the last time you tie-dyed?