Fridgie Straps

A while ago we cleared out the Tupperware drawer and started using glass for food storage instead. We find that it's not only safer, but it lasts a lot longer. My vintage Pyrex collection was put to use, especially the refrigerator dishes. They're cute, fun, and great for storage!

In a few months time I'll be living in Peterborough during the week, and I began thinking about food transport since I will often be bringing up leftovers with me. I didn't want to turn back to the Tupperware, but the lids on my fridgies only sit on top. There is nothing to secure them. I decided to sew up some velcro straps to hold them together during transport to avoid food spilling out.

Of course, this only works with solid food. Soups and liquids will still leak out the sides. For those I use mason jars or a thrifted ceramic lunch container with a silicone lid. I've tried some of those glass tupperware containers with the plastic lids, but I've found that most leak too.

The straps were very quick and easy to make. I sewed up the straps just like I'd sew up a purse strap, and then sewed a strip of velcro on each end. The straps for the small and medium fridgies are 18 inches long, with almost 5 inches overlap. The strap for the larger fridgie is 24 inches long with about 5 inches overlap. I used 4 inches of velcro on each strap to ensure a good hold, but less length and velcro could be used. This is a great project for using up those fabric scraps. I ended up with a collection of fabric strips and edges left over from old projects, so I dug into that for this one.

What would be even cuter - vintage fabrics that coordinate with the dishes. I'm picturing one of my flickr friend's vintage fabric collection for this. Amazing.

My mom asked why I didn't just use an elastic band to hold the lids on. I guess I could have done that, but this is a lot more fun!

February in Photos.

Catching Up on 365.

It has been more than a week since my last 365 post, nearly two weeks actually, so I felt it was time to post again. These are days 26 through 37, or January 26th to February 6th.

Classic Mittens.

Just over a year ago I decided I wanted to try knitting a pair of socks. As a new knitter I wanted something challenging and cute - I just loved all the sock yarns out there. After finishing the year long scarf, and my not so slouchy, slouchy hat, I cast on my socks.

After finishing the heal and half the foot of the first sock, I just wasn't having it. I realized I knit the sock too small and since I wasn't enjoying the pattern, I dreaded the thought of ripping out all the stitches and starting again. I put the half sock and the yarn into my knitting basket, and there it stayed until this past week.

I had meant to rip out the stitches and start a new project a long time before, but I had a hard time letting go. I am such a slow knitter and had put so much time and effort into my little half sock. That's probably a silly reason, but I did eventually suck it up, unravel, and start fresh. I have to say it was at least a little exciting when I knit up all the curly yarn (curly from being in sock form for the past year) and moved on to the never before knit yarn.

I had a lot more fun with this pattern, Classic Mittens (available for free here), and it was the perfect quiet, stationary activity to get me through my illness this past weekend. Apparently I am a most excellent knitter when I'm sick!

Now for the real challenge - finishing the second mitten. I am feeling much better, so I imagine it'll be a much slower knit than the first!

Fabric Basket.

You got a little hint of this project in my last 365 post. I'm not sure how I like posting a collage like that once every 8 days, but for now it is working out okay.

A flickr friend made one of these and posted it on her photostream, along with a link to the pattern, and I was inspired. What better way to store odds and ends? It's so quick and easy, and so cute! I'm planning to make more of differing sizes that can nest into each other when empty.

The outer fabric is a Japanese cotton canvas that I bought on Etsy. The lining is from my local fabric shop, and I will update this post with the designer once I check the selvage. I used a heavy interfacing so the basket would keep its shape better. Most important - I ironed the edges like crazy to get the square shape! Without ironing it stays sort of round.

I filled it with some of my favourite yet-to-use craft supplies - cute wooden buttons, vintage trims, wooden thread spools, and pretty beads. For now it sits on my bed side table to inspire me each morning. The more I see my supplies, the more ideas I have for crafts, and that is always a good thing.

Another Week Goes By.

Days 18 through 25.

A week of birthdays, cats, friends, crafting, interesting 'finds', and colour.

Days 10 through 17.