Twill Tape is kind of a cheater. It’s already finished, won’t unravel or fray, is soft like fabric, and won’t slip around like ribbon. You can get it in many colors, sizes, and weights, you can print on it, stitch on it, dye it, write on it, sew it, fuse it, and glue it. These qualities and more make it perfect for little “sewing/crafting short-cuts.” We thought we’d mention just a few in what we like to call
10 Minute Twill Tape Projects!
(Totally snappy title, right?)
10 Minute Project #1:
Add an interesting stitch with pretty thread and use it to hem a skirt. The stitching and hemming will only take a minute or two, and if you’re making a simple elastic waisted, rectangle skirt with a twill tape hem it won’t take much longer than 10 minutes! (Depending on how fast you can wiggle that elastic through the casing, of course.)
10 Minute Project #2:
Make bracelets/cuffs for kids. Gather supplies like these:
Which include twill tape, fabric markers, ribbon and fabric scraps, iron-on velcro. We made the cuffs as a playgroup activity, so using the iron made things quick– and no sewing machine was vulnerable to wandering toddlers.
Use bits of double-fused fabric to embellish. More decorative stitches. Fabric markers. Iron on bits with fusible interfacing.
Here we used variegated thread and bits to spare from this.
And this is the three-year-old with a fabric marker version.
These could be really fun as “admit one” or “Pookieloo is 5!” bracelets for a birthday party. So easy and satisfying for little ones. And Pookieloo’s birthday is totally worth celebrating in such a fashion.
10 Minute Project #3:
Photo frame. Line up strips of twill tape on a bristol board or thin cardboard backing and stitch down the edges.
Put the backing in the frame without the glass. If you need a safe spot to keep the glass for later use, put it between the twill tape/cardboard layer and the easel back. If the frame is already glass-less because a preschooler dropped it, then maybe you live at my house?
Slide photos in and out as you like. No taking anything apart to change your mind about what should go in there. No looking at a picture for three years because you’re too lazy to take the frame apart and switch ’em. Could also hold gift cards, movie tickets, train tickets, notes, shopping lists, trinkets, stickers, trading pins, baseball cards, business cards, all the reasons you love someone…. feel free to suggest others, but for now, a newborn baby photo I love:
Another 10 minutes of your life lived creating something cool. Next?
10 Minute Project #4:
Lip stuff holder. We started with an 11″ strip of twill tape. Made three folds. Stitched a “u”. Folded a scrap at the top and stitched it on. Added a grommet. Attached to keychain. Easy peasy.
edited to note: Adrianna totally saw this at Susan’s house and snatched it up, hooked it to her keys and walked away. No please or thank you. Susan ever so graciously acted like it was meant to be a gift. Um, thank you Susan.
10 Minute Project #5:
Take 10 minutes and send Twill Tape Guy your order for printed twill tape! He’ll custom print it and have it back to you in what will feel like 10 minutes! We love our custom printed twill tape labels. They’re super quick to sew into a project, and for clothing, they’re much more comfortable than scratchy ribbon.
We are totally enjoying reading the twill tape comments, ideas and e-mails. More fun and excitement tomorrow. And a giveaway! Twill tape for YOU!
Lizzy @ Lizzy Designs says
These are great ideas! I especially love the photo frame, will have to try it sometime! :)
Anna says
oh the lip stuff holder!!! I’m making a bunch tonight!
Lu says
The photo frame is genius! I think I just found the grandmas’ Mothers Day gifts. :)
Emily says
While I also love twill tape (I even happen to have some rolls at home picked up at sample sales) I mostly used it for adorning presents. You’ve really inspired me! I promptly ordered wide tape today and will be making that picture frame and the memo board. Both FANTSTIC good ideas. Can’t wait to see what else you’ll bring us!
lori says
I LOVE that photo frame idea! Is it okay if I post about it on my blog with your picture? I want to do a favorite things post soon. Thanks
lm91.jolley@gmail.com
MaryJanes and Galoshes says
AHHH… Girls I LOVE all of these! I have never used twill tape but you can bet I will be diggin in my stuff to see if I have any (my mom seems to give me random stuff I have all stuffed in a drawer, I bet there is some in there).
Tiffany says
The trim on the skirts is my fav so far! But the quick bracelet is catching up quick.
sa4grace says
Yup! You hit the nail on the head- The skirt will take 3 times as long to wiggle the elastic through as the cutting and sewing does! Great ideas.
Tanya says
THANK YOU for this! I love-love-love the ones with ‘leafy bits’ of fabric stitched on as bracelets. But, then I laughed out loud at the marker pen idea.
:-)
Alisha says
I love the idea of having some printed and using them as tags!
Pati @ A Crafty Escape says
I think my favorite is the Lip stuff holder… and I probably would have taken it too!
Angie says
Wow, these are all great ideas. I like the idea of using it on the bottom of a skirt- easy! And the picture frame- genius!
Kim @ Everything Etsy says
You guys are soooo creative! What fun ideas! :)
~Kim
Cheryl says
Love the photo frame idea. I’m going to have to scope out Twill Tape Guy….this may be my new craft theme addiction!
deepfriedyankee says
Love the lip stuff holder as something I could make longer to hold an e-cigarette. If I had a sewing machine. If I had room in my apartment for a sewing machine.