How To Make Your Own Zipper Pull Tabs // Simple Craft

zipper pull

We use zippers on bags, pouches, jackets, and so many other things. Why not add a little character and charm to your zippers with a unique zipper pull tab?

In this post, I’m going to give you six different ideas and show you step by step how to do each one.

zipper pull cording

1- Simple Cording Zipper Pull

You can add a zipper pull to anything, and it can be as simple as adding a little piece of cording that you can pull, and that’s what we’re going to go over first.

Materials & Items Needed

  • Simple cording
  • Scissors
  • Glue or Lighter
zipper pull upcycled

You can use all kinds of cording. You can even use recycled cording from another item of clothing. In the photo above, it’s an upcycled zipper. I do that frequently, especially if it has a cool zipper. But for this zipper pull, we’re going to add just some regular cording.

If you haven’t seen my tutorial on how to upcycle zippers, you might wanna check that out. It’s kind of fun.

  • Cut a piece of cording about four inches long. Fold the cording in half and insert the folded end into the loop there in the zipper from front to back.
  • Take the cut ends through the cording loop, and give it a pull. It will make a little shank knot, and that’s all there is to it.To keep the ends of the cording from fraying, you’ll want to take a lighter or a match and just simply burn those ends of the cording. Or you can apply a little bit of glue on the ends.

2- Button Stack Zipper Pull

zipper pull buttons I love recycling buttons. As you can see, I have more than a few and I have another jar as well. Used buttons are something good to have on hand.

zipper pull button supplies

Materials & Supplies

  • 4-6 Buttons of different sizes and colors.
  • Waxed thread or embroidery floss and beeswax (or any wax)
  • To wax the thread, simply place the thread against the wax and pull it. It will make a little cut in the wax.
  • Repeat that several times until the thread is coated. The coated thread makes it water-resistant and more durable.
  • Cut off about 10 inches of thread so you can have something to work with, you’ll cut off the excess later.
zipper pull threading
  • Decide what order you want the buttons to be in.
  • Start with the smallest button first, take the two ends, and thread it down through the holes. If you have a button with four holes, that works best for the bottom button. If there are four-hole buttons, just thread them through the two opposite holes.
  • Continue adding buttons until you have all the buttons threaded onto the thread.
  • zipper pullLeave a loop of about 3 inches. Take the loop end and stick it from the front to the back of the zipper pull. Take the stack of zippers and thread it through the loop and pull it.
  • Pull the buttons up to the length you want the chain to be. Take the cut ends of the thread and re-thread them into the other two holes in the bottom button again. zipper pull knot
  • Make a double knot between the bottom and the next button and then clip off the cord or thread right about an eighth of an inch from the knot. That’s it. You can add this to a backpack. You could put this on lots of fun little bags or even a jacket.

3- Upcycled Sweat Ball Zipper Pull

 

Materials & Supplies

zipper pull sweater

1- Cut out a small circle approximately 3 inches. To make it easier, use a glass or lid as a template to trace around.

2- Double-thread the needle and knot the end. Decide which side of the fabric you want to show. Felted wool sweater fabric has a different texture on both sides. I usually opt for the “wrong” side of the sweater because it has more character.

zipper pulls circleInsert the needle into the side of the fabric that won’t be showing. Start taking big stitches, big gathering stitches, about 1/4 inch away from the edge of the fabric.

zipper pull gather and stuff

3- Sew all the way around. These big gathering stitches don’t have to be perfect. When you get all the way around pull it and it’ll make a little cup. Grab a little bit of fiberfill stuffing and stuff it down in. It doesn’t take very much. And then start to pull the thread and it will make a little ball.

Stick the needle out onto the right side of the ball so it’s easier to see and gather. Make another round of stitching with the same seam allowance. Give it a little pull and then take your thumbs and press the seam allowance down into the ball.

Don’t pull it all the way tight because you still have to insert the cording.

4 – Decide how long you want the cording to be and cut it that length. Attach the cording to the zipper pull using that same knot or just thread it through the zipper hole.

Take the cut ends of the cording and stick them down into the hole you left in the ball, about ½ inch inside. Using a turning stick makes this a little easier.

5 – Insert the needle into the cording, then take a stitch into the ball. Then take another stitch into the other cording strip and repeat that process until you feel it is secure. To knot the thread, take a little stitch right by the cording. Leave a little loop and then wrap the needle around the loop a few times and gently pull.

This will make a knot. Then stick the needle into the ball and out somewhere else. Cut the thread.

 

zipper pull sweater ball

So there is another fun way to use your upcycle sweater scraps and add a little charm to a zipper pull.

zipper pull cherriesI also have a tutorial on how to make some really cute cherry magnets and zipper pulls, using the same method. CHECK IT OUT HERE.

4- Pom Pom Zipper Pull

zipper pull pomMaterials & Items Needed

I’m not going to show you how to make the pom poms in this tutorial, but I do have another tutorial that shows you how to make them. Start with a pom pom you’ve made or one that you have purchased.

1- Thread and knot a single waxed thread.

2- Insert the needle into the middle of the pom pom. Pull it tight so that the knot doesn’t show. Thread the needle into the zipper pull and then back into the pom pom. Knot the end of the thread.

3- You may need to make several knots so it is a BIG knot. Cut thread and pull the knot into the pom pom and you’re all set.

felt zipper pull

5- Felt Zipper Pull

Materials & Items Needed

There are so many fun things you can do with a piece of felt. I’ll show you a few examples and you can go with your imagination.

For example, on this fleece jacket, I have added this zipper pull, and all it is is two felt pieces glued together with the cording and applied to a zipper. It’s just something you don’t see.

zipper pull felt flower

And on this jacket I have embroidered a cute little yellow flower onto a round piece of felt.

star felt zipper pull

This zipper pull I embroidered a cute little blue star onto a piece of green felted wool sweater. There so many options. Let your creative bones go to work. You can embroider stars, hearts, whatever you want onto a piece felt.

1- Cut a piece of cording or thread about 4 inches. Thread it through the zipper pull. Cut out another piece of felt the same size as the embroidered felt piece.

2- Apply some glue to the wrong side of the back piece. Take the cording strip you cut and sandwich it between the front and back felt pieces. and glue it to the back of the embroidered felt piece.

If the item you are adding a zipper pull to is going to be going through the wash, I recommend using this washable glue. It works well.

You can make squares, you can make circles, you can even make a cute heart. That would be really cute.

zipper pull beads

6- Beaded Zipper Pull

Another thing that I upcycle and save and use is beads. You can buy beads from the fabric or craft store, or you can used upcycled beads. I keep a box of odd jewelry or beads for projects just like this.

zipper pull beadsTo make a zipper pull you can use several beads or even one bead can be very cute.

Materials & Supplies

zipper pull thread beads

1- Decide the order you want the beads to be. Take your waxed thread and make a knot on the end. Add a little drop of glue to the bottom knot to keep it from pulling through.

2- Start threading the beads onto the thread STARTING WITH THE BEAD YOU WANT ON THE BOTTOM. ***The bead you have at the top will need to have a bigger hole so that you can thread it through twice.

3- When you have threaded all the beads take the thread and insert the end into the zipper pull. Then thread it back back into the top bead. Spread the beads apart so you can make a double knot around the thread.  

When you think the knot is secure, cut the thread and pull the buttons down. 

So there you have it. Some cute, fun, unique ways to add some character to your zipper pulls in your projects, in your clothing, and anything else that has a zipper.

Have fun crafting!

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Jan Howell

Jan Howell

Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.

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Easy To Make Organizer Containers Using an Upcycled Tissue Box

upcycled tissue box
upcycled tissue box

I have this thing with recycling,  upcycling and re-purposing items when I can. In this post, I’m going to show you how to make organizer containers using an upcycled tissue box, for your drawers, your office desk or your shelves.

Materials & Items Needed

  • Empty tissue box
  • 5 empty toilet paper rolls (optional)
  • Paper scissors
  • Ruler, measuring tape or cutting mat
  • Masking tape or Washi tape or you can use colorful masking tape
upcycled tissue box

Upcycled Tissue Box Instructions

You can make these containers as tall or as short as you want, but I found 4 inches to be a great size for markers, pens, and scissors.

You can use a ruler of course, but I like just using this small cutting mat.

1- Measure and mark the four-inch place on the top of the box. Flip it until you have all four edges marked. 

upcycled tissue box

2- From the tissue box opening, cut into the corners. Then cut down to the place that you marked and cut all the way around.

upcycled tissue box taping

Finishing Off the Top Edge of the Cut Upcycled Tissue Box

1- Finish off the top edge with masking tape, painter’s tape, washi tape, or colored masking tape. Place the tape so it’s halfway onto the front of the box edge and wrap the tape all the way around the top edge of the box.

2- Rip the tape and fold the other half over the edge and secure the tape in place.

upcycled tissue box packaging tape

If the tape isn’t sticking very well, like sometimes it doesn’t, you can take packaging tape and fold it over the top to make it more durable.

upcycled tissue box janni tip

Here is a tip on how to put the packaging tape around the corners so it doesn’t overlap.upcycled tissue box taping

3- Center the tape along the top edge just like you did the masking tape, but BEFORE YOU FOLD THE TAPE OVER, CUT A SLIT IN THE TAPE AT THE CORNERS.

This will allow you to fold each side separately down without overlapping. Works like a charm!

Now the upcycled tissue box will be more durable and that Wasi tape will be stuck down.

Optional Upcycled Tissue Box Inserts

If you want little sections inside the box for pencils and things upcycled toilet paper rolls work great.

Cut the 5 toilet paper rolls to four inches (or the height of your box). You can flatten the rolls in half to make that cut, and they’ll spring right back.

Simply stick the toilet paper rolls into the box. Sit this on your desk and you’re good to go.

If you wanted to cover up that Kleenex symbol, just put a sticker over the top.

 

 

upcycled tissue box socks

Large Upcycled Tissue Box Organizers

I really like using these bigger upcycled tissue boxes as organizers and dividers in my drawers for things like socks, underwear, and other small items.

 

upcycled tissue box clothing

You pretty much do the same thing. I like using the full height of the box for socks and stuff, but if you wanted to make the box height shorter for an office drawer of smaller items, simply cut the sides down just as explained before.

Of course, you can always buy premade plastic dividers, but why not upcycle a simple tissue box?

I hope this is something that you can implement in your house and use to recycle when you can.

 

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Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.

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How To Freeze Eggs // 3 Safe Efficient Ways

Who knew you could freeze eggs? Well, you absolutely can. In this post, I will share with you 3 safe and efficient ways to freeze eggs.

Why Freeze Eggs?

  • Cost: Being able to preserve eggs by freezing them is a good thing to know. If you find a good deal on eggs and are allowed to buy more than two dozen, stock up on those eggs and freeze some of them.
  • Supply: There is nothing worse than going to make a batch of cookies and after you have mixed all the dry ingredients, you realize you don’t have eggs!

Although there is nothing wrong with calling your neighbor and asking for a few eggs in return for some cookies, (which we do in our neighborhood), you can simply dip them into your frozen eggs storage instead.

  • Time: Save yourself a little time by having eggs already prepped for cooking or baking ahead of time.
  • Space: A carton of raw eggs can take up a lot of room in the fridge. Freezing them will move them from the fridge into the freezer, saving you a ton of space!
freeze eggs

1- Freezing Individual Raw Eggs In Muffin Tin

This is a good method if you think you will be using only 1-2 eggs at a time.

***Egg yolks have a gelatinous property in them that will thicken when frozen. To keep this from happening just add 1/8 teaspoon of salt or sugar per egg before freezing, and it will stop this from happening. (SALT FOR SAVORY ITEMS – SUGAR FOR SWEET DISHES).

salt freeze eggs
  • Simply take a muffin pan, I like using this silicone form and crack an egg into each muffin cup.
  • Add 1/8 teaspoon of salt or sugar.freeze eggs
  • Whisk each egg carefully with a fork or small whisk to break up the yolk until just beaten.
  • Place the muffin pan in the freezer to completely freeze the eggs.
freeze eggs bags

Remove the muffin pan and transfer each frozen egg from the muffin pan into a zip-top freezer bag.

The silicone muffin pan allows you to EASILY pop these little frozen eggs out. No oil or scraping is needed!

Make sure to label the bag with the date. You’ll want to know how long the eggs have been in the freezer. *

Remove as much air from the bag as possible and zip the bag closed. Place the bag into the freezer and use them as needed.

2- Freezing Raw Scrambled Eggs in Zip Bag

Another way to freeze eggs is to scramble a bunch of eggs and freeze them all together. This is a good option for omelets, scrambled eggs, crepes, egg bites, etc.

  • Place the desired amount of eggs into a bowl. Add 1/8 teaspoon of salt/sugar for each egg. Whisk well then transfer the eggs into a labeled freezer bag to store in the freezer.
  • Indicate on the label how many eggs and the date.
  • Lay the bag of scrambled eggs flat on a cookie sheet in the freezer. The eggs will freeze into a thin sheet and take up less room in your freezer.
  • Remove the pan when frozen. Thaw and cook as usual.

3- Freeze Cooked Scrambled Eggs

You can also freeze scrambled eggs after they have been cooked.

This is a good way to meal prep for the week and to use in dishes like ham fried rice, or for a quick breakfast. They freeze well and taste really good.

  • Let the cooked scrambled eggs cool completely.
  • Place in zip-top bags, remove excess air, and seal.
  • Label them and place them in the freezer.
thaw freeze eggs

How to Thaw Frozen Eggs

  • Thaw individual eggs in a small container in the refrigerator with a lid overnight or for 4-5 hours.
  • If you’re pressed for time, you can put the egg in a small bowl inside a bigger bowl of cold water. Cold water works since it’s still warmer than the frozen egg. The temperature difference also won’t shock the frozen egg, as warm or hot water might. This method takes 20 to 30 minutes.
  • Once thawed, you can use them as you would use fresh eggs.

DO NOT REFREEZE EGGS!

How long will frozen eggs last?

According to the FDA, you should use the eggs within 1 year.

Common Questions:


Can You Freeze Egg Yolks and Egg Whites Separately?


Yes! Simply separate your egg whites into one muffin pan and your egg yolks into another. Add the salt to the egg yolks, whisk, and follow the rest of the instructions.

Common Questions:

Can You Freeze Egg Yolks and Egg Whites Separately?

Yes! Simply separate your egg whites into one muffin pan and your egg yolks into another. Add the salt to the egg yolks, whisk, and follow the rest of the instructions.

Can You Freeze an Egg in the Shell?

No! According to the USDA, if an egg cracks while it freezes, it needs to be thrown away.

Alternatively, if it doesn’t crack while freezing, the egg white and yolk don’t blend well together after being frozen this way, making the uses limited.

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Jan Howell

Jan Howell

Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.

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