Getting Crafty- How To Make Your Own Christmas Crackers

 

 

I had the small, strike-off samples from my fabric line  just sitting around the studio and decided to have a little fun with them at Christmastime. I made my version of English crackers except that they don’t really pull apart to reveal the goodies inside. You just untie the ribbon. Not as exciting maybe but a lot easier and it makes for a really pretty table presentation. I will show you how mine turned out then teach you how to make your own. It would be a great activity for the children to make once school is out.

 

Ordinarily, I would have used the same fabric (or of course you could choose a really great paper, craft or wrapping) but since I am showcasing the line I used as many patterns as I had place settings for.

You will need:

a tube that fabric or paper comes rolled on (toilet paper rolls felt a little too short to me)

small saw or extra sharp box cutter

a sharpy marker

a ruler

your fabrics or papers

double sided tape

glue appropriate to the product you are working with. I used Aleene’s Tacky Glue

ribbons of your liking

goodies to fill the tubes (small candy, tiny tubes of lotion, rings, earrings, gum balls, etc)

Start by marking 5″ increments on the long tube like this:

Next, cut the tube into smaller 5″ long tubes. I was setting a table for 6 so I made 6.

Clean up the edges by just running your hands over them to knock off the torn paper from the saw blade. Cut your fabric or paper pieces to 8″ x 13″ rectangles.

Ready your goodie pile so that it will be close at hand for stuffing.

Center the tube on the fabric square as shown with length of tube running down length of fabric.

This wasn’t planned but worked out so well that I added a step. This tube happened to have a piece of double-sided tape on it that made the wrap so easy I added it to every other tube.  Simply pull the first long edge around tube and secure to double sided tape. This will hold it in place while you work with the other side.

I guess you have figured out that I am not being a perfectionist with this. I am just after a fun look and surprise for my family. Therefore, I am not going to the ironing board but simply turning under the raw edge and pressing with my fingers. Pull this side around to finish wrapping the tube.

Run a line of glue and hold until it is secure. I only ran the glue the length of the tube itself and left the ends free.

Gather the fabric on one end and secure with a coordinating ribbon. I used paper raffia on this one and spread the ribbon after it was tied to give a softer look.

At this point you will want to hold the tube and pour your surprises into the other end filling the tube.

Tie the other end and Voila! Your very own cracker.

Repeat as often as desired. Aren’t you proud of yourself? Don’t be afraid to use whatever you have. I couldn’t  find the right color green ribbon so I used survey tape. Just have fun with it.

I had so much fun making these. Now, if I could only get my tree up. sigh