Matilda Jane Mesh Bag Use #2 -Simple MJ Headband

I'm planning on making tutorials for 8+ EASY, No sew, up-cycle projects to do with MJC mesh bags over the next few weeks. All my projects I am showing the easiest and most simple way with no fancy equipment that that the average household might not have. With that said, that doesn't mean these projects can't be improved by using a sewing machine, adding embellishment, reinforcing, etc. So feel free to adapt them for your needs. If you are going to sell you projects I do recommend making them a little more professional since, again, I am trying to share projects that I think even a novice crafter can make with the simplest techniques possible. :D

If you are really not a crafter and want to stop here you can! It will work like a normal headband, but when putting it on you will have to mess with it to get it just right and it will not stay together when not being worn. If you want to finish it off a little better, keep the two loops secured, and hide the mesh bag seams do the following steps.

Wrap like you did before, tie off, and tuck in the ends. You are now done!

Note: I used a small MJC mesh bag and that size seem to work perfect for both my daughter and myself! It is a little snug on me, but I actually wear it to keep my hair back while my daughter wears them for the "look".

Matilda Jane Mesh Bag Use #1 -Circle Flower

These circle flowers are great for hair pretties, brooches, pins, headbands, barefoot sandals, added to frames, wreaths, purses, key chains, scarves...the possibilities are endless! Not only can you make them from extra mesh bags, but you can also use fabric from your ruined MJ items with stains or tears that are beyond repair. I like to use the button from the mesh bag (if it came with one) or a spare button as the flower center, but you can just use the scrap mesh to finish off the center if you don't have a button to use. (See my other post, to see how to make the center using the scraps from the bag ---> HERE.)  Nothing goes to waste in my house- I also incorporate pieces of the tag like the fabric, ribbon, and twine to make each one a more unique piece.

To save myself some time so I can work on tutorials for other uses of the mesh bags, I am using pictures for making the same style flower out of a different material, from a different post of mine, but you use the exact same technique with the mesh bags. Instead of using a T-shirt, like in the photos below, you will start with a mesh bag cut open at the seams. (See picture above.)

You may need more or less circles per each flower depending on the size of lid you use. 

To make the mesh bag flowers like I have pictured above, I actually used six circles and no scrap piece. Follow these same instructions, but instead of folding and gluing five circles, use six.









(Excuse the glue strings. I was working extra fast so the glue wouldn't harden in between steps while taking pictures.)








Again, I think for the mesh bags it looks better with six of the petals instead of five. From here you can embellish with buttons, shabby flowers, ribbons, etc. Be creative and unpredictable just like your favorite brand MJC!

I will be blogging at least seven more easy (no sew) uses for the mesh bags over the next couple of weeks. Feel free to follow my blog by email (on the home page, right bar) to ensure seeing the other uses. If you are a fan of Pinterest,  you can also "Pin" this post and others to your boards with the "Pin It" button at the bottom of this page for future reference.

$2 Girly "Boob Lamp" Makeover

This is an easy project and I think the pictures explain it pretty well so I don't need to write directions, but I did want to note, my light fixtures has a  CFL light bulb and it still has its original glass bowl around it to prevent the new shade and feathers from getting hot.

. 
"Do compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs pose a fire hazard?

No. Using CFL bulbs in your home actually reduces the threat of 

fire caused by lighting fixtures because CFL bulbs operate at lower

 temperatures than incandescent bulbs. CFL bulbs, regardless of 

wattage, do not get hot enough to melt surrounding materials. "

Recycled T-shirt Scarf Necklace DIY / EASY / NO SEW

Not just for hipsters- these necklace scarves are great to dress up a comfy outfit from going to yoga or shopping, to accessorizing an outfit for date night, church or work. And they look super adorable on the little ones too! My daughter absolutely loves hers and has them in many colors and styles.

I tried to explain as detailed and easily as possible and took lots of pictures. The whole project should take no more then an hour and is easy enough to do while watching TV if you don't mind working with a flat surface and glue gun in your lap. 

(I used a children's size medium shirt to make the perfect sized scarf for my almost four year old. Seamless shirts that aren't sewn up along the sides work best.)

That is the basics for many different styles. You can use the ropes and braid them, macrame, loop, wrap, add beads, charms, etc. I have made many using parts from broken jewelry added to them, but I'll do another post for those. To add the flowers keep on reading. These basic flowers are also great for brooches, pins, headbands, hair clips, barefoot sandals, added to frames, wreaths...the possibilities are endless!

You may need more or less circles per each flower depending on the size of lid you use. 

Since I added two flowers I traced 12 circles.

(Excuse the glue strings. I was working extra fast so the glue wouldn't harden in between steps while taking pictures.)

I hope I explained that enough and will be posting some more styles I have come up with using other things then flowers (like broken jewelry). There also are some great ideas on Pinterest that you can look at for inspiration. I got the red T-shirt I used, new, at a $1 store. I think these would also make great gifts when you are on a budget and want to gift something homemade.