Today’s post is our next  Int’l Bloggers Club challenge (IBC) and the theme this week is “Don’t Sweater The Small Stuff”.   We have to create a project using a sweater in any way, shape or form. I chose to make a steampunk doorstop.

We recently had a challenge using concrete and one of my attempts was this cement bottle, but it broke when I was removing the mould.  So it got chucked in the “failed” area of my shed. Another failed project was one of my sock gnomes was suppose to be a female but I could not get her hair right so “she” became a “he” in a pretty hat.  My idea was to try and create a female steampunk doorstop using the cement bottle and the sock gnome design as a guide, to create a female steampunk doorstop. More about IBC at the end of this post.

How to make a steampunk doorstop

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Make the base

To make the base, I used a recycled plastic bottle.  You can use any plastic bottle because most of it will be covered.  Ignore the other items in the image below, they were for the other project that failed.

Mix some cement in a bowl and add water until you start getting a firmer consistency.  The mixture must still be runny enough to pour into the bottle.

Because of the shape on the bottom, I felt it would be too hard to get the plastic off without causing damage. So I had to stand mine upside down to dry.  The bottle also had a crack that I did not notice, so I had to tape the bottle up quickly.

I left the cement to dry overnight before removing the plastic bottle. Ignore the hammer, I did not remove the plastic with that, even though the top broke off.

You can see lots of cracks in the cement, that is not damaged it is the stones you saw in the first image just under the surface. My idea was to have a bottle with part of the side missing with all the glass stones embedded in the gaps. I left it as it was for this project because you would not see it anyway.

Using your sweater

This is where my sweater for the challenge comes in.  I wanted to add it to the doorstop as clothing and texture.  The idea was to have the sweater shaped into a dress for the steampunk doorstop. I used an old sweater and cut a section off the sleeve to use as the dress.

I wanted to be able to create a dress and a shawl using just the sleeve. To do this I used some fabric stiffener on the sweater so I could create the shape I wanted.  From past experience, I have found this product works better if you wet the fabric first and squeeze out the excess water.

I added some fabric stiffener to a bowl and then added my fabric.  Another way to do this step is to use a seal lock bag and add the fabric and the stiffener mix it all around in the bag.

You should wear gloves for this step so you can massage the stiffener into the sweater.

Next, put the sweater over the bottle and shape it how you want it. I left mine on the windowsill in the sun to dry.  If you are not getting the shape you want, you may need to wait until the fabric starts to stiffen. Then go back and add your shape.

Decorate the body

I went for a steampunk theme for this project because I am still not over my phase yet. Surprise surprise. I glued a scrap of lace over the expose cement bottle and make her a leather corset similar to the one on my steampunk mannequin.  And glued it inside the shawl.

Adding the hair

To make her hair I used some white Mongolian fur.  I like using this fur as opposed to regular craft fur because it is of far better quality and you get better results.

To cut the fur without damaging the fur, it is best to use a sharp craft knife and just cut the back lining.  That way you will not see a straight cut in the fur.

When I was making the lady sock gnome, I tried so many hairstyles and they all looked naff. Given her pigtails or two braids were all I could come up with, until now. Yes, you are seeing this correctly, I gave my doorstop a French braid. Ha ha  This was easy to do when the lining is glued to the bottle. I added some pearl beads to highlight the braid.

Highlight her dress

To add some colour to the dress I used some bronze wax paste and randomly rubbed it over the surface. I also glued some steampunk charms to her outfit and gave her a clay nose.

Steampunk Hat

To make her felt hat I used the same method as I did for the steampunk gnomes. Once completed the hat was glued to the bottle using hot glue.

Completed steampunk doorstop

More DIY Projects

Mixed media cow skull

Old desk repurposed into a lego table 

More about IBC

If you follow my blog you will know I am part of IBC (International Bloggers Club) which is a group of talented bloggers from around the world. We have members from Spain, South Africa, Australia, the United States, and Canada. Each month we come together and create a project with a common theme.

If you missed last month’s “Concrete ” theme here is the link to my Zen styled garden decor.  The contributions from my fellow bloggers for this months challenge are listed below, please feel free to jump over and give them some love.

IBC Projects

1. Meegan Makes |Handmade drop cloth and recycled sweater tote
2. Interior Frugalista|Easy Easter Egg Sweater Wreath Ideas
3. Me| Unique Creations by Anita
4. Birdz of a feather |Needle Felted VW Beetle
5. A Crafty Mix| Sweater into a Handbag

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