Wednesday, August 15, 2012

DIY - Tired of Fingerprints and Smudges

It's been weeks since we've returned from our trip and I can't stop thinking about how smudged up the door handles of our stainless steel fridge/freezer were and how I wound up wiping them down every time I walked by. I had to come up with a solution.

In one of the care homes I worked in they wrapped the fridge door handle in Saran Wrap to keep it clean. It worked, but I didn't want to be that wasteful.

Then it came to me. Why don't I just sew "handle covers"?

I knew I wanted some kind of green, Aloha print, quilted fabric, but didn't find anything I liked at the fabric store.

On a whim, at the thrift store, I went thru the bedding isle and found a small throw in just the right color.

Cha-ching - MINE!

First, I carefully took off the bias tape so that I could reuse on my covers.

Then I took measurements and cut out what I needed to make each cover.



Then pinned the bias tape all the way around and sewed it in place.



Next I wrapped the cover to be around the handle and using a vanishing marker I marked where they over lap. 

This marks lets me know where I need to sew the velcro.


I decided to only add a few spots of velcro instead of a long strip. Thought it would be less bulky this way.


Once the velcro was in place I wrapped the cover around the handle, with opening facing me.

I pulled it nice and tight, pressed the velcro dots together.

This is our fridge in Hawaii - excited to put it on our other fridge.

Then, ever so gently, I turned the cover around so the seam was in back and wah-la! A nice cover that won't show smudges and that I can toss in the washing machine when it gets dirty!

I made 2 for the french doors, but will have to wait till we're at the house again to measure how big it has to be for the freezer drawer.

What do you think? Maybe I'll go into production!!

Aloha A Hui Hou!

Shared with:


UndertheTableandDreaming


8 comments:

  1. Sweet!!

    and I would love to see you win my giveaway! Best of luck!!

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  2. Replies
    1. Thanks Alicia! Cute is what I was going for :o)

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  3. Hey Heidi - 5 numbers is the max they can do, so you're good!!

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  4. How clever are you! Love this idea. I hate the smudges on the fridge handle too. We have black appliances and every fingerprint shows up. Thanks for sharing this.

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    1. Aloha and Mahalo Brandi! I totally feel for you! Can't wait to see yours!

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  5. I'm going to make one for my mom, thank you for sharing this!

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    1. Glad I could share! Let me know what mom says!!

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