A number of posts on the Babyville Facebook page have been about leftover products, FOE, snaps, or PUL, so I thought I would “think outside the box” and offer some suggestions and ideas in this post for using leftover FOE.  Several of our talented design team members contributed their clever ideas as well.   In upcoming posts,  I’ll give you some suggestions for the colorful and functional plastic snaps you may have left-over after diaper making and some fun ideas for scraps of PUL. 

FOE, or fold over elastic is packaged with enough product for two diapers leaving about a half yard or more of colorful, stretchy and useful product for a variety of end uses.  In this age of technology, my work center is cluttered with cords and wires so some FOE with snap closures becomes a helpful organizer for electrical cords.  My kitchen utility drawer is now neater with the collection of pens and pencils neatly bundled with FOE.   Rolls of wrapping paper, posters, or rugs, just about anything that has to be rolled can now be contained with FOE instead of rubber bands.  Again, I just added a snap closure so no sewing necessary!  And one design team member suggested a great idea for saving fitted sheets with worn elastic - simply sew a length of FOE to the corners!

Often, flower deliveries come with plain glass vases. Transform a plain vase with a length of FOE trimmed with a “faux” flower or other decorative items.  I’ve also used small lengths of FOE around bulging folders and binders and to add a clever accent to wrapped gifts. When traveling by car with a casserole dish, FOE with snapped ends secures the lid to the dish and prevent messy spills. 

Cute accessories often finish an outfit so why not make some hair ornaments like headbands, and ponytail “scrunchies”,  chokers or bracelets from FOE trimmed with novelty items.  Organizing necklaces in a closet is easily done with a 6 inch length of FOE.  Add snap closures to the ends, and with a staple gun, staple the center to a closet wall.  Insert ends into necklaces and snap ends closed. 

Now that you have read some of our ideas for left-over FOE, we would love to hear some of yours as well.   Be sure to send pictures!