Easy Scrap Fabric Yo Yo Can Upcycle Tutorial

The craft tutorial I decided to share with you could not be easier or cheaper and involves something we all have plenty of laying around the house: cans!

Tags: #recycled #upcycled #diy #crafts #tutorial #cans #makeover #fabric #yoyo #organization #green #crafting #home #decor #upcycling #recycling #fabric #coins #change #how #to

Cans can be recycled in a gazillion ways to use for organization.  Today I'm going to show you how I recycled a peanut can with (all) scrap materials to help combat the loose coin battle around my home.  My hubby and kids are bad about leaving coins here, there and everywhere when emptying their pockets. I have found that by having a designated change can it cuts down on me constantly having to pick it up and also having to search for it when my children need it for the vending machines at school, games, practices and etc.  Outside of change, you can also recycle cans for the purpose of organizing a gazillion other items such hair brushes, pens, paintbrushes or etc.  I chose to use a peanut can for this project but a coffee can would also work. Here's how I did it.

First I peeled off the paper label and found cardboard underneath.  I decided to roll with it and use it in the design. If the can you are using does not happen to have cardboard underneath you can easily recreate the look with a thin piece of cardboard (such as the inside of a cereal box), brown craft paper or even by recycling a brown paper bag.  Just cut a strip of the paper or cardboard the size of the can, wrap and adhere with craft glue.

I then took a piece of leftover scrap book paper and added two pieces to each side using craft glue. Any type of decorative print pages can be used such as wrapping paper or even pages from an old paperback that's ready for recycle.  I cut the paper slightly shorter than both the width and length of the can and glued them to each side leaving an open space between on both ends to create a "paneled" look.

To make the decorative fabric yo-yos for embellishment, I cut out circles from some scrap pieces of burlap and plain white fabric.  I made the burlap circles slightly larger than the white ones.  To create your circles you can use a compass to create a paper pattern to trace around on the fabric or simply trace directly on the fabric around small round items laying around your home, such as some fingernail polishes, shampoo or etc.

I chain stitched large stitches around the outside of each circle.  Normally I would use a coordinating thread but for the purpose of this tutorial I used red so you can see my stitches...no fancy stitch work is necessary.  Make sure not to knot or cut off the thread once you have completely stitched around the boarder.

Next I pulled the thread tight (pulling the needle away from the fabric) causing the fabric to gather in the center of the circle.  I then knotted the thread and clipped off the excess.  This creates a fabric yo-yo.

I then layered my yo-yos with the larger on bottom and a button on top and sewed all together with a few stitches.  You could also simply glue it all together with hot glue if desired.

I attached my finished yo-yos to the can using hot glue.  

Next I created a recycled tag to label the can's purpose.  I painted on old business card on both sides with chalkboard paint.

Once it was dry, I cut it in half, wrote "loose change" on it using a chalk marker and added a hole to the top using a hole puncher.  I then tied the tag around the yo-yos with a piece of jute string and the can was complete.  

I'm super happy with how it turned out and the best part of all is that my kids and hubby have actually been using it! Score!

For even moree recycled can tutorials be sure to check out my post The Great Tin Can Gathering: A Gazillion & One Amazing Upcycle Projects.

Or you check out other types of containers I've recycled for reuse around the home such as these.

Recycling Tic Tac Containers To Organize Small Items

How to remove print from ice cream buckets and create storage totes.

I hope you enjoyed my tutorial, thanks so much for stopping by and happy upcycling! 

****

Easy Scrap Fabric Yo Yo Storage Can Upcycle Craft Tutorial

****

Linking to Craftideas.info. Be sure to check them out for many awesome craft tutorials! :)