The Craft Corner By Marie Hueston and Sage Hueston

Turn worn-out jeans into cute Father’s Day keychains!

Father’s Day is right around the corner and if you still need a present for Dad, this is the craft for you. Let’s get started!

What you’ll need. Find a pair of old, worn-out, or ripped jeans. If you don’t have any, ask a friend or family member. In addition to your jeans, you will need scissors (fabric scissors are sharpest and cut more cleanly), embroidery thread, yarn, a needle, cotton balls, a keychain ring, and Sharpies or fabric markers.

Create your shape. Using a marker, draw a shape of your choice onto a double layer jeans so you will end up with two pieces of the same shape. We made a heart but you could make a circle, your father’s initial, or any shape you like. Then use your scissors to cut out the shape along the lines.

Decorate your shape. Using your markers, decorate the outside of one or both of your denim pieces. You could write #1 Dad, “I Love You,” or draw hearts or even draw a picture of your Dad!

Start sewing. Have an adult help you find and thread a needle with embroidery thread. Don’t forget to knot the end of the thread so it doesn’t pull through the fabric. Then place your two pieces together with the decorated sides facing in towards each other. Sew along the edge to connect your two pieces, leaving about an inch open so you can stuff your shape.

Stuff your keychain. Flip your sewn pieces inside out so the decorations are facing out and then stuff the shape with cotton balls through the opening you left in the edge. The size of your keychain will determine how many cotton balls you will need. Use the remaining thread to sew the opening shut.

Attach your keys. Loop a 6-inch length of yarn around a keychain ring. Secure the yarn to your keychain using your needle and thread. Add to your keys, and enjoy!

Happy Father’s Day!

July Preview: Start saving toilet paper rolls for a fun summer game!