If you’re looking for easy accessories to make and donate, you’ve come to the right place.
In order to support National Foster Care Awareness Month, I not only wanted to showcase important nonprofits actively supporting the foster care community but also talk about how makers can contribute to this community.
As always, I like to introduce you to a nonprofit that would love to receive the things you make in case you don’t have one in mind.; one of those nonprofits is Austin Threads.
What Is Austin Threads?
Austin Threads is located in (yep, you guessed it) Austin, Texas.
As an organization, the mission of Austin Threads is to provide, “NEW and new-like clothing and accessories for referred and at-risk teens in the Austin area. Teens who qualify choose complete outfits, new socks, underwear, bras, toiletries, shoes, and seasonal items, when available.”
They serve people aged 12-21 to ensure they can include both teens in foster care and those who have aged out of foster care, as well as homeless teens, or other teens in need of support.
Like many youth-focused nonprofits, Austin Threads offers a variety of ways to get involved.
They are always in need of accessories like: bandanas, scrunchies, necklaces, rings, earrings, headbands, bucket hats, beanies, bracelets, etc.
If you would like to donate things using your crafty talents but also want to try something new, I’ve share some great options and tutorials below!
6 Easy Accessories To Make Today
Here are six ideas for accessories that are easy to make today.
All of them are something that are not only great DIY gift ideas, but also perfect to donate to Austin Threads, San Antonio Threads or another organization in your area that serves foster youth by providing accessories that will make an outfit super special.
#1 Bolster A Pair Of Pants And Make A Simple Belt
This simple belt constructions take only 5 minutes (or less) to make and uses only two materials.
You likely have 1″ in webbing in your stash so you’ll only need to purchase the the plastic adjusters. Fortunately, a large pack of them is available on Amazon for a great price (link below).
How To Size Your Belt
Materials And Tools
To make a simple belt, you need the following materials and tools:
- 1″ webbing
- plastic adjuster
- sewing machine
- sewing clips
DIY Belt Instructions
Recommended Products
As an Amazon affiliate, I may receive a small commission if you buy a product using the links with an asterisk or using the links below.
#2 Support A Sassy Hairstyle And Sew Up Some Scrunchies
Don’t call it a comeback! Because, well, I’m not sure that scrunchies ever really left people’s daily use.
Some people may attribute this hair accessory to the 80’s but I think that’s more because they prominently showcased a side ponytail. Now, they just hold a messy bun in place…
Sewing up some scrunchies is a beginner project that is a perfect scrap buster too!
Materials and Tools
- One piece of 18″ x 4″ cotton fabric
- One 8″ piece of 1/4″ elastic
- Safety pin
- Sewing clips
- Sewing machine
How To Sew a Scrunchie
#3 Break Out Your Beads To Make Bracelets
There are a variety of different types of bracelets you can make and donate.
Making bracelets is not only a fun way to flex your creativity, but stringing certain types of bracelets is something you can do while binge watching your favorite shows.
I’m a fan of stretchy gemstone bracelets, but also use hemp cord and lava rocks to make DIY diffuser bracelets.
I’ve also had a lot of fun lately making one of a kind bangle bracelets (tutorial below) as Mother’s Day and graduation gifts. They work for anything, really.
How To Make A Bangle Charm Bracelet
Recommended Products
As an Amazon affiliate, I may receive a small commission if you buy a product using the links with an asterisk or using the links below.
#4 Charm Someone With Cute Earrings
If you ever tried your hand at making earrings, I imagine you have a whole bunch of ear wires and jump rings that need a home, right?
Plus, this is another activity where you can do a lot with just a little bit of time.
If you set up your “work station” efficiently, just dedicating an hour to making earrings to donate will likely leave you with 15 pairs? (Because they will take less than 5 minutes each once you get started.) That’s a lot of different kids who will feel so special having some jewelry that will finish their outfit.
While you’re at it, you could also add a charm that fits with the theme of the earrings to a ball chain necklace (*affiliate link) and make it a set!
How To Make Simple Charm Earrings
Materials and Tools
Making basic charm earrings requires minimal supplies.
I recommend the following:
- Ear wires
- Jump rings
- A set of matching charms
- Jewelry pliers (chain nose and bent nose)
Recommended Products
As an Amazon affiliate, I may receive a small commission if you buy a product using the links with an asterisk or using the links below.
#5 Batch Sew A Whole Bunch Of Bandanas
Bandanas are a versatile accessory that can be worn by people of all ages and are used for many purposes.
Bandanas are often used to tie back someone’s hair, to cover someone’s head from the heat, as an outfit accent around someone’s neck, and even as a face mask.
If you have some colorful cotton fabric in your stash, making a bandana is as simple as:
- cut a 23″ x 23″ square (or a little bigger if you’d like),
- fold each edge over 1/4″
- fold each edge another 1/4″,
- clip the sides to prepare for sewing,
- sew around the whole square to secure the folds.
If you set up a batch sewing process, you can daisy chain each of the bandanas making it that much faster to complete them.
#6 Keep Foster Youth Covered With A Reversible Fleece Beanie
While summer sun may be on the horizon for most of us, it goes by in a flash.
And we all know the drill, after summer comes fall, bringing chillier nights with each passing day.
A reversible fleece beanie is therefore something that comes in handy for a long time. I even offer a free pattern you can use to make it something you can tackle whenever you have time.
If don’t have fleece fabric in your stash, shop the JoAnn remnants bins because they typically have the perfect sized pieces. Not to mention, if you shop while they’re running a sale on fleece, remnants get 50% the SALE price.
Reversible Fleece Beanie Video Tutorial
How Will You Help Someone Accessorize?
When picking out new clothes, most people feel accessories add that extra little something to their look. In fact, personal style is one of the few ways we can truly express ourselves in a way that other people might relate and understand us just that little bit more.
For foster youth served by an organization like Austin Threads, when you make accessories to donate each person they serve is truly getting the “complete package” when it comes to an outfit.
You never know how that pair of earrings or that colorful belt will change the way people feel about their day.
I know I say it a lot, but small really can be mighty. How will you choose to brighten someone’s day with your beautiful handmade accessories? Leave a comment below (and a picture if you have one!) with what you’re making to donate.