Kmart mum explains how to DIY placemat pot and butterfly chair

She became an internet sensation earlier in the month for creating a pair of fashion-forward pom pom sandals out of $6 Kmart shoes.

And now Brisbane mother, Michelle Rhodes, has continued her reign of craftiness by presenting two new DIY items from the store to help transform a lounge room.

Her first piece, a butterfly cover made out of a fur, cost just $12 for the throw cover itself and a further $39 for the Kmart chair.

Brisbane mother Michelle Rhodes has continued her reign of craftiness by presenting two new DIY items from the store to help transform a lounge room

Brisbane mother Michelle Rhodes has continued her reign of craftiness by presenting two new DIY items from the store to help transform a lounge room

She went viral earlier in the month for creating a pair of fashion-forward pom pom sandals out of $6 Kmart shoes (Michelle Rhodes pictured)

She went viral earlier in the month for creating a pair of fashion-forward pom pom sandals out of $6 Kmart shoes (Michelle Rhodes pictured)

The signature piece requires a basic level of sewing skills but can be completed in one afternoon to drastically alter the look and feel of a living space.

‘I wanted to add a blush-coloured chair to my main bedroom to match my decor,’ the 49-year-old said.

‘The cover was made from the blush faux fur single bed throw from the children’s section as it was the perfect size for a cover.

‘It was also only $12 which is far cheaper than buying fabric from Spotlight or Lincraft.’

The signature piece requires a basic level of sewing skills but can be completed in one afternoon to drastically alter the look and feel of a living space

The signature piece requires a basic level of sewing skills but can be completed in one afternoon to drastically alter the look and feel of a living space

'The cover was made from the blush faux fur single bed throw from the children's section as it was the perfect size for a cover

'The cover was made from the blush faux fur single bed throw from the children's section as it was the perfect size for a cover

‘The cover was made from the blush faux fur single bed throw from the children’s section as it was the perfect size for a cover,’ she said

Butterfly chair fur cover creation 

Materials: 

  • Kmart Butterfly Chair $39 
  • Faux Fur Throw Blush (Single) $12
  • Rose Gold Spray Paint price varies

Instructions: (You will need basic sewing skills)

1. Remove Butterfly Chair Vinyl Cover from chair to use for your pattern.

2. Place the vinyl cover on top of the fur throw and mark throw with sewing pencil all around the cover approximately two cm away from the perimeter.

3. Cut out your shape – you now have a pattern piece.

4. Place oven bake paper over the back of the vinyl cover and trace a pattern onto the paper – again adding an extra 2cm to the perimeter of the piece.

5. Use the pattern pieces to cut out all the fabric. All pieces cut should come from inside the sewn border of the throw.

6. Cut the remaining fabric into strips at a width of anywhere between 8-10cm.

7. Sew together to result in one large strip of fabric to be used as bias/edging for the fabric (gives a lovely border).

8. Sew pocket pattern pieces to the cover shape and fold over the bias strip of fabric again.

9. Spray paint the entire Butterfly Chair frame rose gold to blend in with the blush coloured fabric! 

As an additional accessory, Michelle built a pot out of $3 placemats she found at the superstore, filling it with an ornate green plant once she had finished.

It only required a wire basket, five placemats, rope and craft glue to build, and instantly brightens an interior.

And coming in at a total of $28, it’s a unique piece that will only have guests asking where they can pick up something similar.

As an additional accessory, Michelle built a pot out of $3 placemats she found at the superstore, filling it with an ornate green plant once she had finished

As an additional accessory, Michelle built a pot out of $3 placemats she found at the superstore, filling it with an ornate green plant once she had finished

Inspired by a set of baskets from Pillowtalk, Michelle said she wanted to try and create her own for a fraction of the price tag

Inspired by a set of baskets from Pillowtalk, Michelle said she wanted to try and create her own for a fraction of the price tag

And coming in at a total of $28, it's a unique piece that will only have guests asking where they can pick up something similar

And coming in at a total of $28, it’s a unique piece that will only have guests asking where they can pick up something similar

Inspired by a set of baskets from Pillowtalk, Michelle said she wanted to try and create her own for a fraction of the price tag.

‘I was really tempted to buy one until I thought this could make for another good Kmart hack,’ she said.

‘I wanted to make it as simple as I could and as cheap as I could.’

Easy placemat pot 

Materials: 

  • Black $9 Basket from Kmart
  • 4 x Jute placemats $3 each from Kmart
  • 1 x Hyacinth placemat $3 from Kmart

Instructions: 

1. Push Hyacinth placemat to the bottom of the wire basket.

2. Tie rope all the around the handles and top of basket. 

3. Glue the edges of each placemat onto each other – making sure that they are evenly spaced around the basket.

4. Place you plant inside.

 

Previously, Michelle shared her hack to curate pom poms on top of a pair of gladiator sandals.

Michelle told FEMAIL her foray into the world of styling and craft began at Christmas time when she decided to design her own decorations.

When people on social media began to take notice she decided to up the ante and move onto department stores and fashion wares.

‘I’ve always had this thing inside my just waiting to come out,’ she admitted.

‘I’ve been interested in design my whole life but I certainly don’t have any styling qualifications! When I was having difficulty getting my son Jackson, who has cerebral palsy, into school we had a lot of time together and would regularly hit the shops.

‘I’d just see things I like and things I thought would pair well together and would purchase them. I accidentally fell into this.’

Her social media account, Look What I Found, has a host of grand ideas for craft sessions: sandals with earrings as a feature piece, cushions with bejewelled buttons and hats with feather trimming being just a few.

‘I’ve got that bug and I just have to make things,’ she explained.

Clever! The 49-year-old shared the incredible hack on her Instagram account, which she only taught herself how to use six months ago, and received a host of rave reviews

Clever! The 49-year-old shared the incredible hack on her Instagram account, which she only taught herself how to use six months ago, and received a host of rave reviews

She's got a talent: 'They look so good! What a great idea,' a fellow bargain hunter wrote in the comments section

She’s got a talent: ‘They look so good! What a great idea,’ a fellow bargain hunter wrote in the comments section

‘Sometimes I’d put a call out online with a few different things I’d purchased and ask my followers what I should do with them. People get really involved in the process and want to see what I come up with.’  

Her pom poms sandals rival the likes of Etsy brands of Grecian gladiator shoes which retail for $180 online.

And it’s the incredible price point that has Michelle’s fans so excited about her craftsmanship.

‘I could go to Lincraft or Spotlight for a lot of these things but the $2 shops have everything you need. It doesn’t have to be an expensive venture,’ she said.   



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