A few weeks ago my friend and co-worker, Lisa, called me. Lisa is a graphic designer and she and her co-workers were cleaning their office and throwing away outdated technological stuff including a whole pile of zip disks.
Apparently she thought I could do something creative with all these zip disks and keep them out of the trash. She asked if I wanted "a bag" of them. The "bag" turned into two (big) boxes of zip disks that are now taking up space in my over-stuffed craft room. Needless to say, I am motivated to use them and this is what I came up with:
The Zip Quilt Kit
I didn't want to be left out of the doll quilt craze that's been going around the crafty blogosphere so I've been working on a few small quilts. And I realized that a doll size quilt is the perfect introduction to quilting for the novice sewer (quilts are really super easy to make but folks seem to be intimidated by them). Anyway, the zip cases are the perfect size for doll quilt squares.
The photo above shows a kit wrapped up in the backing fabric, the kit contents, and a sample finished doll quilt. (note: the "zip disk" shown in the photo above is actually a picture of a zip disk and is inserted as the kit label. Behind it are the 20 squares of fabric and the pins and needle)
The kit includes:
- 20- ~4" squares of pre-washed and ready to go fabric (4 each of 5 coordinating prints/solids)
- 1 piece of coordinating backing fabric (also pre-washed)
- embroidery floss for tying the quilt
- pins and a needle for the embroidery floss
- an instruction book
- a coordinating notecard and envelope (because that's fun)
The buyer would have to provide their own sewing machine (or needle and thread), scissors and batting or stuffing (depending if a quilt or pillow is to be made). More advanced sewers can try some different techniques or cut the squares into triangles or embroider on them. The possibilities are endless and a few advanced ideas are in the instruction book.
I'm kind of loving this idea but I might be all alone. Just in case someone else loves it too (and going with my "why the hell not" approach to crafty contests) I'm entering this in the Fred Flare Next Big Thing contest.
I would welcome your thoughts on this idea. I appreciated your feedback on the Long Lived Lunchsack! By the way, if you wanted to read what was on the lunchsack, photos here.
I have had doll quilts on the brain lately, and one of these kits would be perfect! I think you have a winner there.
Posted by: Claire | April 19, 2007 at 08:10 AM
I think you have found your calling. I would update and use a CD instead of the ZIP file.
Posted by: halfoz | April 19, 2007 at 08:13 AM
You should sell these! I don't quilt (yet), but I bet other people would love to have one!
Posted by: Alicia | April 19, 2007 at 11:26 AM
adorable idea. nice and compact and small enough that a novice would not be overwhelmed. :) the lunch sack idea is also great, but what about insulating them? I would have no idea how to do that, but it would be handy.
Posted by: farfromca | April 19, 2007 at 12:02 PM
I think this is the perfect submission for the Fred Flare Next Big Idea contest. It's a great, creative idea - I think it's exactly the kind of thing they are looking for. Good Luck!
Posted by: Sandy | April 20, 2007 at 05:47 AM
I think this is an awesome idea. I sew but have always been put off by the thought of quilting. Picking the fabric and then all of the cutting - I just don't have the time. But a kit like this is perfect.
Posted by: Darlene | April 20, 2007 at 11:06 AM
Brilliant idea! Run with it - hope you win!
Posted by: Rebecca | April 21, 2007 at 07:06 AM
Are you selling these? I'd love to get one for my niece if I could find a link to where to buy one. Thanks!
Shane
Posted by: shane | May 24, 2007 at 09:20 AM