How to make a Funnel

Above is a photograph of a funnel I made recently.

I needed one for some crafts my children were doing and I couldn't find my kitchen one anywhere! So I attempted to make a paper funnel, which didn't work out very well because it was too flimsy. So I tried to think of something more durable and came up with the idea of the milk cartons.  I store my empty (washed out) milk cartons in a container in the house ready to put out into the recycling bin which is collected fortnightly.

All I needed to do was cut the carton in half. The bottom half of the container could also be used as a storage container to store fruit in the fridge for example.  I actually like the idea of this funnel because you can hold the handle to make it more sturdy than the normal funnels.

After making this I decided to google the idea and there were various options around for recycling/upcycling empty milk cartons including using them as scoops (involves keeping the lid fastened on). Another option for making a funnel could be an empty plastic drinks bottle.

I thought I would share this with my followers because it is such a simple and cheap solution for a funnel.  I am always happy when I find new ideas for recycling and upcycling things! If any of my readers have any other suggestions regarding diy funnels or re-using milk cartons then please do share them with me.

This week you might find me linking this post with some or all of the following link parties / blog hops:

  

Pocahontas Costume Tutorial

My daughter wanted to dress up as Pocahontas at the yearly Book Fair held at her school.  I wanted this to be an upcycle project so that I didn't need to spend any money at all. I used an old skirt of mine and an old pair of my daughter's trouser pants.

Materials Required

• Tan Fabric (I used a long tan skirt)
• Brown Fabric (I used child's trouser pants)
• Elastic  +  2 Buttons
• Scissors or/and cutter
• Needle and Thread
• Roll of Paper (Old Wallpaper roll will do)
• Feathers (I used cardboard cut out feathers)

Pocahontas Dress 

1. 
   
   Unpick the seams on the skirt. (Pic 2)
2. Use a currently used dress (or top and bottoms) to draw around to make a paper pattern. Add a couple of inches for hems. (Pic 3 & 4)
3. Cut out your pattern templates. (Pic 5)
4. Place templates onto your fabric, I matched bottom of dress to the bottom of my skirt fabric. (Pic 6)
5. Cut out 2 pieces - for the front and back.  I personally made the back piece have a straight neck line.
6. Place the front part of the dress onto the back part of the dress - Pattern facing each other, as if inside out! Stitch the sides of the dress together. Hem all around the arm holes and neck lines. (Pic 7)
7. Turn the dress the correct way - not inside out! (Pic 8)
8. Make sure that the dress fits at this stage, if too big then just take the sides in a little.
9. Sew on two buttons to the front part of the dress at the top - so to fasten to the back of the dress.  Attach two button fasteners to the back of the dress - you could make two straps from the brown fabric - I cheated for time and used a piece of brown lace, ribbon could have also been used. (Pic 9)
10. Make slits to the bottom of the dress with either scissors or a cutter to have a fringe. (Pic 10 )
11. 
    
    You can now make an optional sash to go around the dress (see below), or use a belt you may have.

Pocahontas Sash

1. Using a tape measure, measure around the waist of the dress and up to the shoulder, divide this measurement by 2.
2. Cut out a piece of the brown fabric by this measurement and about 10cm width. 
3. Cut this in half lengthways. (Pic 2)  Attach the two pieces together at the short end, making a long belt.
4. Cut slits to make a fringe all the way along the length. (Pic 3)
5.  I attached one end with a couple of stitches at the front shoulder of the dress. (Pic 4)
6. After a few complications of tangling I realised it was best to attach the other end down and around the waist only when actually wearing the dress - using a couple of hand stitches. (Pic 4)

Pocahontas Leg Cuffs

1. Measure around the leg (under the knee), add a couple of extra inches. Measure the length from under the knee to the ankle, add a couple of inches.
2. Cut out tan fabric with the above measurements it will be roughly a square shape.
3. Cut strips into fabric making a fringe. (Pic 1)
4. Make a casing, (a small hem) to put the elastic in.
5. Cut out thin elastic the same width as the fabric. Thread the elastic into the casing (Pic 3) I usually use a safety pin - but this time I used my daughter's plastic needle.
6. Sew the ends of the elastic together. Sew the ends of the fabric together to make it look neater. (Pic 4)

Pocahontas Arm Cuffs

1. Measure width of arm (where you want the cuff to be), add a couple of inches. This is the length of the fabric.
2. The width of the fabric should be about 10cm. (Pic 2)


3. Cut strips into fabric making a fringe. (Pic 3 + 4)
4. Make a casing, (a small hem) to put the elastic in.
5. Cut out thin elastic the same width as the fabric. Thread the elastic into the casing. I usually use a safety pin - but this time I used my daughter's plastic needle.
6. Sew the ends of the elastic together. Sew the ends of the fabric together to make it look neater. 

Pocahontas Headband

1. Make a headband using the tan fabric. Many tutorials are available online, I have a 10 minute headband tutorial on my blog, here is the link: 10 minute headband Tutorial   Or use a headband you already have or a handmade cardboard headband could also be used. (Pic 1)
2. Hand sew dashes all along the bottom and top of the headband for decoration or any other style you wish! (Pic 2)
3. Attach some feathers to the headband, (Pic 3)I didn't have any real feathers so used the cardboard from a nicely coloured pizza box! I just cut out two feather shapes and attached them to each other, glue or thread will do. Then attach these to the headband with a couple of hand stitches. (Pic 4)

Finishing Touches to Pocahontas Costume

• Shoes - I used brown slip on shoes (these were pink - but we coloured them brown!)
• Necklace - I had a brown necklace which went well.
• Hair - Most people prefer to have hair in plaits but we decided for the straight look in two pony tails.
• Face - I used some face paint crayons to draw a couple of brown and black stripes across her cheeks and forehead.

This week you might find me linking this post with some or all of the following link parties / blog hops: