3 Fall DIY’s, One Thrifted Flannel Shirt

Hi there! It’s time for some fabulous and fun DIY’s from the Thrifty Chicks. This month’s challenge is flannel shirts, and I think we each thoroughly enjoyed developing our projects. I know for me, fall is my favorite season, and fall and flannel go together perfectly.

Don’t you love it when your creative juices take off and before you know it you’re covered with glitter, you’ve got paint in your hair, and the floor is littered with saw dust/paper scraps/fabric bits/whatever your crafting crack happens to be? I just love everything about the creative process. [Well, maybe not the glue gun burns, LOL.]

Today I have not just one, but three projects to share. I had no idea how much yardage you could squeeze out of just one flannel shirt–and I have leftovers! So what did I make with my shirt? A fall bunting, some sweet little pumpkins, and a coffee mug cozy.

It took two trips to two different thrift stores to find a shirt worthy of this challenge, and so a [slightly frantic] search ensued. Finally I settled on this festive fall version. Nice surprise: it was 50% off, making it just $2.50–woo woo!

The Pumpkins

A couple of years ago I made some cute little sweater pumpkins, and this year I thought I’d give them a try using my new flannel shirt.

This is a no-sew project if you cut out a square from the shirt sleeve, leaving the seam in tact. Alternatively, cut a rectangle of flannel about 4″ x 8″, fold and hot glue the sides together to make tube.

Make sure your “tube” is inside out (right sides together). Gather one open end of the tube tightly together and wrap it tightly with fine string. Turn it right side out (as shown in the 4th photo); this will be the top of your pumpkin.

Fill it with fiber fill, then close up end as shown: glue opposite sides together (one side flapped over the other) with a dab of hot glue, then glue the two remain sides similarly. This is the bottom of your pumpkin.

To make them a little sqashy (shorter), you can thread a large needle with fine string and sew two stitches right straight down the center, pulling slightly, until they are the right height for your taste, and then knot it off (you can just see my knot in the 2nd photo).

For the last step, glue on a stem with your hot glue gun. Brilliant idea: at the end of fall, save all the stems from your small pumpkins and use them, as I did here, for your stems. Stem alternatives: pieces of twig.

Fill a wooden bowl with your pumpkins and you’ll be very happy.

The Bunting

First, you will need to make a bunting pattern. Mine measures 6″ along the top and 6″ straight down. For my purposes, I wanted to hang it across a French door that hangs in a hallway, and so I need to make 12 of these pennants.

After you finished cutting, plug in your hot glue gun. (I actually have two perpetually plugged in at different work stations when I’m in my workroom, which is very convenient.)

Then, lay down a bead of hot glue across the top of a pennant and lightly press your jute into the hot glue (leave a couple of feet of jute hanging off the end for tying). Continue along until all your pennants have been secured to the jute. And you’re done!

You can use a pair of sharp shears to trim any raggedy bits off the top.

I tapped some small nails in my French door frame in order to hang the bunting. It’s a fairly simple display but it’s very warm and inviting.

It hangs in the hallway leading to my kitchen. That’s my ironstone cupboard you see up ahead.

The Mug Cozy

After cutting up the flannel shirt for the bunting and pumpkins, I found the cuff from one of the sleeves just lying on my work bench. I picked it up and thought, “What can I make out of this?”

It was nicely trimmed from when I separated it from the rest of the sleeve, and of course it had a button and a button hole. Bracelet immediately came to mind, but I’m not 10, so I don’t think I’ll be wearing something quite that funky anytime soon.

Then I remembered the mug cozy craze that’s going around and I thought that might work. I pulled out my favorite handle-less mug and it fit perfectly. I quickly gave it a seasonal stencil and poured myself a tall one. Fall, I think I’m ready for you 🙂

And now, I encourage you to grab a beverage of your choice and take some time to visit my fellow Thrifty Chicks–I promise you, they won’t disappoint!

1. An Easy Way to Make Cozy Fall Flannel Placements by Shoppe No. 5
2. 3 Fall DIY’s, One Flannel Shirt by Adirondack Girl @ Heart
3. Add Flouncy Sleeves to a Flannel Shirt, Vintage Style by Lora B’s Create & Ponder
4. How To Line A Trunk With An Old Flannel Shirt by Interior Frugalista
5. 5 Things to Make With One Flannel Shirt by Little Vintage Cottage
6. Quick and Easy No-Sew Pumpkins Made From Flannel Pants by Thrifty Rebel Vintage

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Bye for now,
New farmhouse merchandise just added-

 If you enjoyed this post, I’d love a pin 🙂