October 2, 2010

{EASY} Fabric Roads

John John loves playing with his cars, trucks, and trains. It is so interesting how he just gravitates towards them even though he has tons of other toys to play with. He is all boy for sure!






I saw someone post about making fabric roads for her son and I liked the idea of fabric roads for a couple reasons:

1. John wouldn't have to snap pieces together as he would have to if we had a 'real' set of roads or railroad tracks.
2. It is pretty easy to store compared to having a huge box of bulky pieces.
3. It is portable- we could take one or two pieces with us if we need to entertain him somewhere like a restaraunt or at a doctor's office.

So, I figured I could make the roads pretty easily myself without having to sew anything. Using a pair of old jeans (my mom gave me a ton of my dads old jeans so I have quite the stash of denim!), I cut out some roads that were about 6 inches wide. I figured that denim wouldn't fray too badly so I cheated and didn't hem my edges or zigzag stitch over the edges. (If it starts to fray, I can always go back and fix it later!). I guess I could have also used Fray Check on the edges, but again I am not too concerned about it fraying too badly. I used yellow paint to quickly make the stripes in the middle of the streets. Aaaaannnnnnddddd, that is it!






With one pair of jeans I was able to make two long roads, two shorter roads, two curved roads, and a four way intersection piece.



So as John was playing with his cars and these fun new roads, I was thinking to myself I could make a little bag or something to store the pieces all nice and neat. Then I realized I already had a nice pocket ready to be used!



Perfect and cute!

And even after I made John his new 'toy', look where he was still playing with his cars. :)





I link up to these parties!



28 comments:

  1. This is awesome! Love it! I just tweeted and posted it on my facebook page. Thanks!

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  2. Very cute!! Glad dad's jeans have come in handy for ya!

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  3. That is so creative. I love the "low tech" creative play possibilities, those roads can go anywhere his imagination takes them!

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  4. What an awesome way to use up old jeans! My little guy would love these!!! Thanks for sharing.

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  5. I just did this we felt a few weeks ago! Great mind think a like.
    http://www.couturiermommy.com/

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  6. OMG that is Awesome - I love that so creative !!!

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  7. featured this on my blog today

    kimboscrafts.blogspot.com

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  8. such a great idea! i love ways to recycle old t-shirts.

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  9. i found you via pinterest...this is absolutely brilliant! Thanks so much for sharing! Can't wait to make this for my boy :) And that photo of your husband and son is too adorable...can't wait to see my hubs and boy play on their denim roads! ;)

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  10. I think I'm going to make these for my 2yo tomorrow! I might take a pair of my husband's frayed khakis and make some railroad track, too. Very cute!

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  11. Such a clever idea! I will have to make some for my little boy too!

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  12. Ok, this is brilliant! Love it. Can't wait to make some for my boys!

    Lots of yummy love,
    Alex aka Ma What's For Dinner
    www.mawhats4dinner.com

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  13. I was just trying to think of something to do with all the out-grown, holey-kneed jeans we have at our house this morning! Thanks for the great idea! (I found this via pinterest)

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  14. We finished these the other day. Thank you so much for the inspiration. You can see ours here, http://bit.ly/kW7Z6o

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  15. I saw your project on Pinterest :) I found some black vinyl on clearance at Joann's that I'm going to use for my roads. I am making one set with white lines and another with yellow lines for 2 brothers. I am also giving one boy blue cars and the other orange so that they, and their parents (LOL!), know which piece belongs to which boy. Thanks so much for the perfect portable present!

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  16. Just discovered this on Pinterest. I've been saving an old pair of my husband's jeans for the next great idea!! I think this is just the thing. And I just so happen to have some yellow paint and a nearly 2 year-old boy to go with it!!

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  17. Love this, and just made some! I'll link back when I post about them:)

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  18. Wow! Great idea!!! I will make this for my sons! Thank you for sharing!

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  19. I've been looking for a gift for a 2 yr old that is visiting. This is perfect for his little carry on bag. Too fantastic! Making this tomorrow. Thank you thank you!

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  20. I'm making 2 sets of these for nieces this year. I found license plate fleece to make a cute bag and am including 2 wooden cars. Thanks for the perfect gift idea!

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  21. Just made these for my 1.5 year old for Christmas. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  22. That's brilliant! I am so making this!! :D

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  23. I made one of these for my nephew! So cute! I posted it on my blog and linked back to your instructions. Just wanted to share mine with you. Thanks! http://titus2workinprogress.blogspot.com/2011/10/another-boy-craft.html

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  24. I wanted to let you know that we saw this super fun idea on Pintrest and found your blog....love it! We also used a picture and linked back to your blog on ours.

    welovebeingmoms.blogspot.com

    Thanks for sharing!!

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  25. Just saw this on Pinterest and LOVE IT! "Pinning!"

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