How to Weave Candy Wrappers

Probably the biggest challenge to making anything out of candy wrappers is gathering the wrappers themselves. It takes a surprisingly huge number of wrappers to finish a complete project, but it's a great way to recycle wrappers and is easy to learn. The second challenge after you've folded the wrappers is to fashion them into purses or wallets. That takes many evenings in front of the television to accomplish. Try this simple machine stitched version and save some time.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Lots and lots of candy wrappers of the same size
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Paper tape
• Decorative cotton twill binding

1. Learn the basic fold by laying a candy wrapper out flat, right side down. Fold the long side toward the middle. Fold the other side toward the middle. Fold the wrapper in half lengthwise and the first piece is done. Make many, many more.

2. Make a basket weave pattern placemat from your wrappers. The mat will measure 12x18 inches. If your candy wrappers are 1/2x3 inches when folded, each vertical strip will need to be about 6 folded wrappers long. Make a strip like this by placing the end of one folded wrapper just over the end of the next and zigzag stitch them together with your sewing machine. Continue until you have a strip that is 18 inches long. Make 24 more vertical strips and place them beside each other until you have a 12x18 inches arrangement of long strips.

3. Make the horizontal weaving strips just as you did the vertical strips, except that they need to be 12 inches long. Make 36 of them.

4. Tape down the short sides of your 12x18 inch layout to a flat surface. Do this so the strips don't move and are easier to work with. Begin in the center and weave one 12 inch strip over the top of one long strip and under the next until you have gone over and under all of your strips. Take the next short strip and weave under and then over the long strips. It is exactly the opposite of the first woven strip. Push it up tight against the first strip. Continue working to the end of the long strips and then fill up the other side of the center the same way until you have a 12x18 inch woven placemat.

5. Carefully press paper tape along all of the sides of the mat to secure the edges. Turn the mat over and repeat taping on the other side. Place the cotton twill binding on the edge of the mat and zigzag it to the candy wrappers over the top of the paper tape. It will keep the weaving from shifting while giving the mat a finished look. Pull off any paper tape that isn't covered, and your mat is completed.

Tips & Warnings

• If you make two mats, you can add woven handles and turn the project into a satchel by stitching three sides shut. Alter the measurements to please yourself. The basic instructions will remain the same. If you love the creativity of weaving, alternate strips of grosgrain ribbon in complimentary colors for another unique look.

References

• http://www.jamboree.freedom-in-education.co.uk/w's%20craft%20corner/paper_woven_basket.htm

Resources

• Folding is the simple part
• Check out these instructions and ideas

[goldiec]

on 10/21/2009 Thanks for the great tips on How to Weave Candy Wrappers! 5*