my fave

This, the fifth craft, from 2013 Fall Craft Party is my favorite. I can’t wait to use these at our Thanksgiving and Christmas tables.

(*For links to all the craft projects please scroll to the bottom of the page)

For $5, the crafters could make a set of four of these fantastic burlap and lace flatware sleeves. Flatware not included.

I once again received the burlap coffee bean bags free from my dear friend, Tram Mai, and her husband, Stephen. The bags came from their Press Coffee Roasters.

I am not a coffee drinker, but if you are, you should go to Press! I am told their coffee is the best, so good in fact that the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North buys their beans from Press. Now that’s a rave endorsement if ever there was one!

The cost of the craft covered my cost for the lace and the bottle of Tacky Glue. Lace ribbon is so expensive – I had no idea.

I think the set with a mix of burlaps and a mix of laces is the best.

Here is the “almost too easy to have to explain” no-sew instructions:

Make a template out of stiff cardboard. It needs to be 8 1/2-inches high and 5 1/2-inches wide.

Use the template to cut pieces out of a burlap coffee bean sack. Moving the template around the outside seams and edges of the sack.

Make a smaller template out of stiff cardboard that is 4-inches high and 5 1/2-inches wide.

Use that to cut off the top part from the front (only) side of the piece of burlap. This creates your pocket.

Pull off a few threads from all exposed sides of the sleeve. This makes for a nicer look and finish to the edges.

Get out your Tacky Glue. You’re gonna use a very small amount, do not overdo it with the glue!

See that blob of glue on the top-right edge? That’s too much. A little goes a long way for this project.  Apply the glue, as shown along the edges of the short side. Fold that back in place and press down to adhere.

Now put even less glue on the front to attach the lace.

A little more on the back of the sleeve to wrap the lace around.

How easy is that!?!

After a minute or so, slip your hand in to be sure the glue hasn’t gone through the burlap in the center and sealed it up. Also, move it around a bit to loosen it if it has become attached to your work surface.

That’s all there is to it. Now you have cute burlap and lace sleeves to use at your holiday tables … or give as gifts.

If you don’t have a sweet friend who’s in the coffee business, there are plenty of places online to buy cheap bags. In fact, that is how I used to get the bags I needed for projects.  Here and here are just a couple I’ve used in the past.

2013 Craft Party Project Links

Burlap and Lace Flatware Sleeves

Velvet Pumpkins

Black Boa & Glitter Wreath

Mercury Glass Pedestal with Wire Cloche

Rustic Planter with Succulents

Urban Scarecrow Wreath

Bundt Pan Pumpkin