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When the Swiffer Duster came out I knew it was one of those things that I just had to have. I don’t know why my first thought was to get excited about adding to my cleaning supply inventory, it’s not like I get excited about dusting at all. Anyway, I did like this product, the problem was I never got around to buying the refills. I never remembered when I was at the store… I didn’t want to spend the money. So my poor, lonely swiffer duster sat there without a refill for way longer than I want to admit. I’m sure I’m not the only one that had this problem.
Thankfully, Sew Much Ado solved my problem with a Reusable Swiffer Duster Cloth. She does a great tutorial with nice pictures and explains why she thinks flannel works best for this project, check it out.
Here are the steps to making it, and you will see it’s easier than going to the store to buy one.
You need:
4 7″x 7″
4 4″x 7″
And of course a lonely Swiffer handle.
Center (2) 4″ piece over (2) 7″ piece and mark a line down the middle. Do this twice, it will be your front and back.
Sew down the drawn line on both of your sets.
Lay your 2 sets together with the 4″ pieces facing to the outside.
To make the casing, fold your smaller piece to the side.
Align your handle at the bottom of your fabric, and center it over your seam. Trace down the side of the prong leaving spaces where the curved edges are. It is better to give a little extra room around the curved areas. You don’t want it to be to tight.
Fold the small piece of fabric in the opposite direction and repeat this step.
Sew down your lines on both sides, raising the needle and skipping over the blank spaces where your curved edges will go in.
Insert your handle and this is what you have.
Trim the top layer of the 4″ and 7″ piece and inch from the edge.
You can see here that all 4 pieces of the flannel are all different lengths. Do this to both sides.
Now, you can go back and clip the edges. Start with the top layer and clip about 1/2″ apart. Do this to all your layers. (Don’t have a blond moment like me… Clip through all the pieces at one time, and cut into your casing. Thank goodness I had planned on making 2 in the first place)
Throw this in the wash whenever it gets dirty. The edges will fray, and you might have to trim some strings every now and than. Don’t worry, the more it frays the better it picks up dust.
Sarah Beth
How neat! I’m awful at sewing though. I need to practice more. Found your blog via Mommy Mingle and I’m now following via GFC. Check out my blog if you get a chance.
Sarah @ Our Family of Three
woodsfamilyofthree.blogspot.com
Brenna
This is a very easy project if you decide to give it a try. I understand though, it really took me a little while to get into sewing, but now I love it. I’m going to check out your blog right now. Thanks for stopping by.
Shiloh Barkley
I think this post would have made for a great April Fool’s Day post. 😉
http://www.shilohstaste.com
Mariel Collins
Thank you for stopping by. I have to say you just saved me lots of money$$ so you are favorite on my list..lol. How did you et started sewing? I just got my hubbies grandmas machine and its a bit old but still works, i just have no clue where to start:/
Brenna
That is how I started. I had always been interested in sewing and then my husband’s Nana gave me her machine. It took me a while to get serious about it and I have been sewing for about a year now. Do you have someone near you that could give you some sewing help to get you started? My mother-in-law taught me how to make an apron and I went from there. I am really hoping to put a beginners sewing post together. I want to help anyone that wants to learn, just not sure how to go about it.
Mariel Collins
I don’t unfortunately no one i know shares that passion. I would love to read a beginners post!
Brenna
Mariel, I will definitely start working on something. Would you please email me and let me know if there is any project in particular you would like to try sewing? Apron, Kitchen Curtains, a simple skirt are some examples. That way I can kind of tailor my tutorial to something you might actually like to sew.
lifeafterlaundry@gmail.com