This weekend I’m refreshing our entryway with a new coat of paint and a few carefully chosen accessories — I’ll share the reveal next month. What are your plans?
If you’re looking for small projects to fill a few spare hours, here are six do-it-yourself ideas I’m excited to try. Each one is approachable, stylish, and perfect for weekend creativity.
1. Print on fabric with leaves
Create organic, nature-inspired prints by transferring leaf textures onto fabric. This technique works well for tea towels, tote bags, cushion covers, or simple wall hangings. Collect flat leaves with pronounced veins, arrange them on your fabric, and use fabric paint or a printing medium to press their pattern into the textile. The results are unique and full of natural character.
2. Quick and easy DIY notebooks
Make custom notebooks with simple materials: paper, cardboard covers, and a strong thread or binder rings. Choose patterned paper or create your own covers with scrapbooking paper, fabric, or hand-painted designs. These make great gifts and are a fun way to practice basic bookbinding techniques like saddle-stitch or Japanese stab binding.
3. Sew a summer shift dress from a tablecloth
Upcycle a patterned tablecloth into a breezy shift dress. Tablecloths offer roomy, inexpensive fabric with bold prints, perfect for an effortless summer silhouette. With basic sewing skills you can draft a simple sleeveless pattern, hem to your preferred length, and add minimal shaping for a relaxed, wearable piece that’s both sustainable and charming.
4. Tropical leaf pendant light
Make a striking statement light by crafting a pendant shade from oversized tropical leaf shapes. Use stiff paper, cardstock, or thin plywood to cut leaf silhouettes, then paint or gild them for added texture. Assemble the pieces around a simple pendant light frame for a sculptural fixture that brings a tropical, handcrafted touch to any room.
5. Oxidized copper planters
Give ordinary metal planters an aged, patinated look by creating an oxidized copper finish. Start with clean metal containers, apply layers of metallic paint or copper leaf, and speed up the patina with a vinegar or ammonia-based solution in a controlled, well-ventilated area. The resulting verdigris effect adds instant vintage charm to succulents and houseplants.
6. Round velvet cushions
Sew plush, round cushions covered in velvet for a luxe touch on sofas or window seats. Use a simple circle pattern for the top and bottom, add a band for the side panel, and finish with covered buttons or piping for a polished look. Velvet gives them a soft, tactile appeal, and they’re a comfortable way to update your decor.
Each of these projects can be adapted to your skill level and personal style. Whether you prefer quick weekend wins or a slightly more involved weekend project, there’s something here worth trying.
Wishing you a creative and relaxing weekend.
– Brittni