How to Use Reclaimed/Vintage Sheets to Jazz Up Your Office

I love projects that take a lot of ugly and, on the cheap change it into something beautiful or at the very least kitschy.  This is one of those simple projects you can do on a Saturday afternoon when you need to use some of your pent-up creativity.

Materials:

• File folders – can be used or new.  Colored ones are fun to match with your fabric.

• Reclaimed/Vintage sheets from your local thrift store or mom’s linen closet.  A pillow case will make approximately 2 folders.

• Spray adhesive.

• Scissors

• 1 unimportant card such as a used up gift card or old credit card.  It will become sticky and you will want to pitch it.

• Cutting board

• X- Acto knife or Razor blade

• Old cardboard box or drop cloth

• One other person who can help with one of the steps.  Preferably good looking.

Instructions:

• Cut sheets to be approximately 1/2 inch bigger than the file folder on all sides.

• Lay file folder flat on the box/drop cloth with the outside of the file facing you.  (You wouldn’t want to spray the inside of the folder and glue it shut)

• Shake up your spray adhesive and evenly coat the folder, trying not to drip but giving it a generous coat.

• This is where the partner comes in, (And clearly in this photo I don’t have one.  My good looking partner was putting my the rug rat to bed). Both of you hold the cut piece of sheet by the 4 corners, you carefully put your side down on the folder making sure that you are lining it up straight. Your partner is there to make sure the rest of the sheet does not touch the folder until you want it to.

• As your partner is holding the sheet up you take the credit card and use that to evenly press the sheet to the sticky folder.  If you don’t have a partner to help, the other option is to hold the other end of the sheet in your mouth.   This way is way more frustrating than having a good looking partner to help you along.

• Once the fabric is smoothed out onto the folder let it dry for 5-10 minutes.
• Once it’s dry lay the folder inside up on the cutting board.

• Using your X-Acto knife or razor blade follow the edge of the folder and cut off the excess material.  The sharper your knife the less fraying you will have. But I personally like a little fraying as it makes it look more vintage.
• Once all the excess has been removed you are finished!

I got the inspiration for this project at Katherine Jalaty’s blog.