No-sew Quiver and Macrame Arrows DIY

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We love recycling cans into all kinds of things, like this adorable washboard or even these handbag planters. They’re also great for making this no-sew quiver full of macrame arrows.

 

The craft idea was inspired by our San Bushmen, who still hunt with a homemade bow and arrow. They are the most ancient tribe of Southern Africa, and some say the world’s oldest race. I don’t think our macrame arrows will make their hunting grade though :D but it is a fun gift idea for Valentine’s day, and you can use it as part of your decor all year round. The quiver full of macrame arrows only takes an hour to make and you don’t need any fancy tools or equipment either. Just some empty soda cans, a pair of scissors, and few other bits and bobs ;-)

 

And as luck would have it, this craft tutorial fits right in with this month’s IBC Vintage Valentine challenge. You can’t get more Vintage than ancient tribes right!!? :-)

Soooooooo what’s the IBC all about?

The IBC, or International Blogger’s Club, is a group of bloggers from all over the world who challenge each other to make something using a common theme. Our previous challenge was all about Christmas and we turned a broom into a Christmas tree ;-) This month it’s all about love. I’m always surprised by how we all interpret the same theme in so many different ways. You can see what everyone else did with their Valentine’s challenge at the bottom of the tutorial.

Okay, before we get to the tutorial, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram. And don’t forget to subscribe so you’ll never miss a post!

What you need for the no-sew quiver full of arrows

• Cotton string
• Laundry starch, Mod Podge or craft glue
• Empty soda cans with their tops removed
• Wooden beads
• Leather cord
• Drop cloth with a hemmed edge
• Skewers
• Hot glue and a glue gun

 

This tutorial is in two parts:

1. How to make the macrame arrows
2. How to make the no-sew quiver

We’ll start off with the macrame arrows.

How to make the macrame arrows

Real arrows are made up of three parts; a shaft, fletching, and arrowhead.  We’ll be using the skewers for the shaft. The arrowheads are made from a soda can and the fletching is a very basic macramé styled feather.  

Making the macramé feather or fletching

For the feathers, I cut 12 equal lengths of the cotton string for each arrow. Depending on the size of your skewers, you may need more or less.

 

Tie the string around the skewer, starting at the top and working your way down.

 

Push the knots together and add a small wooden bead to hold everything in place before separating the individual strands with the sharp end of another skewer.

 

Brush mod podge onto the strands making sure to push the strands upwards away from the skewer. It looks more feather-like ;-) If you don’t have any mod podge, craft glue or starch will work too.

 

Once the mod podge dries, trim the strands a little to neaten them up.

Making the arrowheads

Use the skewer as a base to figure out how big the arrowhead should be. I drew a basic arrow on a piece of paper and folded it over to create my arrowhead template. Cut the shape out and fold it open.

 

Use a pair of scissors to cut a soda can open. If you don’t want to mess around with cutting soda cans, have a look at this felt arrow head tutorial. Place your arrowhead template on the soda can and trace around the edges before cutting the shape out.

 

Fold the cut shape in half so the shiny side of the soda can is on the outside. Insert the skewer stick and glue together. If you want to get really fancy, you can always try knapping your arrowheads instead.

 

How to make the no-sew quiver

RightyO, now for that no-sew quiver using an empty soda can and some drop cloth. You’ll need two basic measurements:

• The circumference around the soda can + 2″
• The length of the arrows + about 3″

Cut a rectangular shape from the drop cloth using the measurements above. Make sure that one of the shorter sides uses the seamed or hemmed edge of the drop cloth. If your drop cloth doesn’t have a hem, add an extra 1″ and use fabric glue to create one.

 

Cut two pieces of leather cord that are about three times the circumference of the soda can. We’ll use one of the cords to gather and close off the seamed edge of the drop cloth. The leather cord I used is quite thick and it didn’t fit into my threader thingy, so I had to come up with another plan. Fortunately, I have loads of jewelry wire that we use to make all kinds of things.

 

Thread the leather cord through the bottom edge of the drop cloth.

 

Place the drop cloth around the soda can and gather the bottom edge of the drop cloth as tight as you can before knotting the leather cord to secure. Fold the drop cloth around the soda can and use the second leather cord you cut earlier and tie it around the top of the soda can to keep the drop cloth in place.

 

Cut a few extra pieces of the leather cord (about twice as long as the soda can) and tie them to the top cord. Braid the cords together to form a strap for the quiver.

 

Tie the quiver strap to the bottom cord.

 

Glue the top, folded edge of the drop cloth into the soda can.

 

And that’s it. A no-sew, quiver full of macrame arrows.

 

My sweet hubby made a bow to go with the quiver full of arrows. You can make one too by placing a long skewer in warm water and slowly bending it into a curved shape.

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Tie some string around the ends so it holds its shape and let dry. Wind a bit of the leather cord around the bow to finish it off.

Pretty cool ;-)

 

Since the soda can arrowheads are quite sharp, I would keep them away from little people.

 

If you’re worried, you can adjust your arrowhead template to make a more rounded point or use thick cardstock instead.

 

If you like the idea of repurposing soda cans to make this no-sew quiver full of macrame arrows, don’t forget to pin it for later.

Oh and if you’re looking for some of the things we used, we’ve got you covered Disclosure: Clicking on the links below, means we may receive a commission from Amazon. But don’t worry it won’t come out of your pocket, and it helps us come up with more amazing craft ideas to share with you ;-)

And if you prefer to buy rather than DIY

Pssst, don’t forget the see what my friends from the Int’l Bloggers Club have done with their Vintage Valentine’s challenge. Their links should be down below.

 

Unique Creations by Anita | Interior Frugalista | Northern Feeling

 

Faeries and Fauna | A Crafty Mix

And as always, wishing you a wonderful, crafty week filled with lots of love. Thank you for popping in for a visit.