Upcycled Project Caddy
I was in Goodwill, looking for something to upcycle into a caddy for small projects, when I spotted this gorgeously-scrolled French dish drain. I’d been scouting around for something sturdy and small to hold my products-in-the-making. Sometimes I only have an hour to work on crafts or DIY stuff before I have to start school, cook dinner, fold laundry, or take one of the girls to dance or softball. This handy little Upcycled Project Caddy can be loaded with supplies and tucked away until household tasks are finished.
This handy little Upcycled Project Caddy can be loaded with supplies and tucked away until household tasks are finished.
I didn’t want another straw basket or cloth carrier. Those tend be too flimsy when dealing with spillable things like glue. Also, I needed something see-through, and with separate compartments. Although it looked dusty and unloved on the shelf at Goodwill, the French dish drain was obviously well-made and beautifully designed with metal scrollwork.
Although it looked dusty and unloved on the shelf at Goodwill, the French dish drain was obviously well-made and beautifully designed with metal scrollwork.
Materials Needed:
*wire basket/French dish drain (I spray-painted the drain before taking the above picture)
*spray paint, if needed
*poster board
*felt or fleece
*hot glue gun, and glue sticks
*printed cotton material
*sewing scissors
*regular scissors
*pencil
Instructions:
Spray paint the wire basket or drain, if needed. Use a pencil to mark the poster board, then cut out pieces to match the bottom of each compartment of the wire basket.
Use a pencil to mark the poster board.
Cut out pieces to match the bottom of each compartment of the wire basket.
Use the poster board pattern, pencil, and scissors to mark and cut out two felt pieces to match each compartment of the wire basket. You should have a poster board pattern and two felt patterns for each compartment when you finish this step. Remember to use regular scissors for the poster board and fabric scissors for the felt. Use your fabric scissors to cut fabric only. Cutting paper with your fabric scissors will dull the blades. It’s time to heat up that glue gun!
Use the poster board pattern, pencil, and scissors to mark and cut out two felt pieces to match each compartment of the wire basket.
Hot glue one of the felt patterns to the poster board. This piece of felt will not be seen. It will be covered by the printed cotton material in the next step. It will serve as batting, to make your basket lining soft and cushiony.
Hot glue one of the felt patterns to the poster board.
Trace with the pencil, then cut the cotton material so that you have a 1/2 inch edge all the way around your cardboard pattern.
Trace with the pencil, then cut the cotton material so that you have a 1/2 inch edge all the way around your cardboard pattern.
Hot glue the material onto the cardboard pattern, with the felt face down. Glue the corners neatly, taking care not to burn your fingers. Remove any stray hot glue strands.
Hot glue the fabric onto the cardboard pattern, with the felt face down.
Remove any stray hot glue strands.
Hot glue the last felt piece onto the back of the cardboard pattern, so that it covers the raw edges of the cotton material. You want the back of the project to look just as nice as the front, lest some busy-body drop in an turn your caddy upside-down.
Hot glue the last felt piece onto the back of the cardboard pattern, so that it covers the raw edges of the cotton material.
You want the back of the project to look just as nice as the front.
You’re on the last step! Hot glue each finished piece into its compartment. I chose to hot glue each piece to the bottom because I don’t want my caddy lining to slide around or shift later. Make sure each piece fits before you hot glue it into the caddy.
I chose to hot glue each piece to the bottom because I don’t want my caddy lining to slide around or shift later.
Make sure each piece fits before you hot glue it into the caddy.
The finished Upcycled Project Caddy
Kristie
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What a great use for this French dish drainer. It holds so much and you made it look so attractive.
Thanks, Paula.