From Baby Wipes Lids to Sewing Kit or Card Holder

The main purpose when writing this instructable was to create a minimalist sewing kit, reusing anything I have at home. Whenever I've intended on buying one, I end up finding them too big for the bags I use. I'm comfortable creating one by reusing these lids, and they are also way smaller than the ones I've seen in stores, which is more practical for me (I just want it for emergencies). I consider this kit necessary for me and pretty much everyone, because most people I know have second hand clothing and fast fashion items that could come apart easily.

I'm always worried I will need to do emergency sewing somewhere. If you do not need a sewing kit but you either hand out business cards, or you're an artist who needs to protect small drafts in your backpack or pocket, this instructable could also come in handy! The container could allow you to carry pieces of paper in your bag and keep them safe.

Supplies

• Two identical plastic lids that you will remove from two baby wipes packages
• Scissors
• Thread and needle
• Rubbing alcohol
• Dremel tool, hot glue gun, or a thick pointy needle and matches
• Lace
• Felt
• Safety pins
• A plastic thread holder
• A very small pair of scissors or seam ripper
• Buttons (make sure you add at least two different sizes that are similar to the sizes of buttons that exist on your clothes)
• Measuring tape
• Sharpie
• Sandpaper
• Optional: acrylic paint, stickers, washi tape for decoration

Step 1:

Remove the lids off the bags. You will probably need to pull or scrape the glue residues. Then you may still have to deal with a thin layer of glue residue, which you can either ignore (because this part of the lid won't be seen in the final product) or you can wipe it using rubbing alcohol or any mild soap and a sponge or piece of cloth.

Step 2:

Trace the felt using a sharpie. Then, cut it carefully, keeping in mind that you don't want it to be too small but also to not extend beyond the limits of the lid. You want it to look like a perfect sandwich as you can see on image number two of this step.

Step 3:

Measure every side of the lid. So what you want to do is mark in a symmetrical manner, at least at least four dots on each side. Once you're done marking these identical dots on both of the lids, you will puncture them. I used my Dremel tool for this purpose (be careful with your hands/eyes. Also please pretend that the tool is on in that photo. I didn't want to risk taking pictures of myself and have an accident LOL).

You can also puncture it by heating a needle or any any metal object and make the holes (it requires a bit more patience). After this process, sand carefully.

Step 4:

Practice how you want to assemble the kit. You could place both of the lids in the same direction, or you can do as I did and place them opposite of each other. Make sure you're using enough thread. Tie a knot on the end and start sewing through the holes. If they are symmetrical it will be super easy, otherwise you will have to incline the needle on some holes until it works.

Since I'm making the sewing kit, I decided to place a piece of lace before I assemble it together. But you can skip that detail if you're just making a card container. The last picture is how it should look once you've sewn all of the sides and both pieces together, with the felt piece in the middle.

Step 5:

If you've followed the instructable until this step, you are done with the card container. Place all the paper that you need and close the lid. Be careful though with the size of the papers: the example on the left is the proper paper size (it will depend on the lid that you chose to use for the container) if you close the lid that is on the second example -where the drawing is-, you may end up embossing the paper, as it exceeds that inner rectangle of the lid.

If you would like to make a sewing kit, begin adding the scissor or seam ripper and the needles in the side of the kit that has lace. On the opposite side I added chain and a small hook so that I can attach/replace the items easily. I recommend you add two, three or more thread colors. You could add all three colors on the same plastic thread holder for space saving. I guess neutral colors (one light, one medium and one dark) will the useful for most emergencies.

Step 6:

Now enjoy your pocket sewing kit! But safety first! I strongly recommend that you keep the kit together using ribbon, elastic or anything that you can think of, since we are dealing with needles and cutting tools. Yeah, we don't want any of those accidentally swimming all over your bags or pockets.