| How to Make a Water Wheel Posted: 11 Jul 2019 01:00 AM PDT Water wheels harness moving water to rotate and have been used by people for centuries to generate power to do things like saw wood and grind grain into flour. You can demonstrate the power and the mechanics of a water wheel by making your own! With just a few simple items and a little bit of crafting, you can form a working water wheel. EditUsing Plastic Spoons - Use scissors to cut 10 plastic spoons in half at an angle. The spoons will serve as the paddles that actually turn the wheel when water passes over them. Cut 10 spoons in half of the handle length and try to get them to be as even as possible. Make your cut at a slight angle so the spoons can be inserted into the styrofoam easier.[1]
- Plastic spoons can be hard to cut, so ask for help if you need it. Be careful cutting the plastic spoons as the pieces can fly off when you cut them.
- Cut a circle with a diameter equal to the length of a spoon. Lay one of the spoons you cut down on the styrofoam and draw a circle around it so the diameter of the circle is about as wide as your spoons. Use a utility knife to cut the circle out of the styrofoam taking care not to let the knife slip and cut yourself.[2]
- Check the diameter around the circle to make sure it's even.
- The sheet of styrofoam should be at least thick.
- Place the styrofoam on a surface that you don't mind cutting, like cardboard or a cutting block, in case the utility knife cuts through the styrofoam.
- Insert the spoons into the outside edge of the styrofoam. Push the cut edge of the spoons you cut into the styrofoam until about of the handle and the bowl of the spoon are exposed. The bowl of the spoon should face the side of the styrofoam, not the front or back. Make sure the spoons are all facing the same direction and are evenly spaced out so they can catch the water that will turn the wheel.[3]
- Use a pencil to mark the center of 2 paper plates and your foam circle. It's important that your skewer goes through the center of your wheel to ensure that it turns properly. Take a ruler and draw a vertical line through the center of the plate, then draw a horizontal line through the center of your plates and the foam circle. Mark the center of the plate and foam disc with a dot.[4]
- Use standard paper plates.
- Make a hole in the center with a wooden skewer. Once you've found your center points, use a skewer to make a hole by pushing it through the center of the plates and the foam. Push the skewer through them one at a time so it penetrates them easier. This will make the perfect size hole.[5]
- It may take some effort to push the skewer through the styrofoam and plates. But be careful not to place your hand over the center of the plates and styrofoam to avoid poking yourself with the skewer.
- Glue the plates to the sides of the foam disk. The 2 paper plates will serve to stabilize the foam disk and the spoons. Apply glue to the sides of the foam disk, around the area of the hole in the center, and attach the plates to the disk one at a time, lining up the holes in the center so the skewer will be able to slide through the entire piece.[6]
- Allow the glue to dry for at least 1 hour before you move on so the glue is completely set.
- Push the skewer through the center of the wheel. After the glue has dried, you can insert the wooden skewer. The skewer will serve as your dowel rod and will allow the wheel to turn when water passes over the spoons. Make sure the skewer is secure in the wheel because if it's too loose, the wheel won't turn.
- You can place a dab of glue at the hole where the skewer goes through to anchor it into the plate and styrofoam.[7]
- Set your wheel on a bucket and fill a glass with water. With your wheel complete, place it on a bucket by resting the skewer on the mouth of the bucket. Place the wheel so it rests securely and won't fall off or into the bucket when you pour water over it by having about of the skewer hanging over the mouth of the bucket on each side. Fill a glass of water to use to test your wheel.[8]
- Slowly pour the water onto the spoons to turn the wheel. Take your glass and bring it to the side of the wheel where the bowl of the spoons are facing up and slowly start to pour the water so that the spoons catch it. This will cause the wheel to turn and it should continue to spin as long as you keep pour water over it.[9]
- Play around with making the wheel spin faster or slower by pouring more or less water over the spoons to alter the speed.
EditMaking a Water Wheel with Cups - Use a ruler to make a straight line from the edge of the foam board. You'll need a straight and narrow strip of foam board to form the paddles of your water wheel. Use a ruler to measure and to make a straight line down the length of the board to form a wide strip.[10]
- The foam board should be a minimum of long and thick.
- Cut the strip off of the board using a utility knife. After you've traced the straight line down the board, take a utility knife and use your ruler as a guide to cut the foam board where you measured your line. It may take more than one pass to cut all the way through the board. Run the blade of the knife through the line you cut until it penetrates the other side of the board.[11]
- You may want to place cardboard beneath the foam board or cut on a surface that you don't mind cutting in case the knife cuts through the board.
- Divide the strip into 10 sections measuring to make your paddles. Take the strip you cut off and measure sections with your ruler, marking the sections clearly with a pencil. You may not use the entire strip, but you will need 10 even and uniform sections. Cut the sections out of the strip with a utility knife.[12]
- Use a compass to measure 2 circles that are in diameter. Place a protractor on your foam board and measure a circle that is in diameter, then measure another circle of the same size in the foam board. Keep the point of the protractor in place as you swivel it around to form an even circle.[13]
- Use your utility knife to cut out the circles. Take your time and make light cuts into the circle pattern. The light cuts will guide the blade of your knife to help you punch through the foam board. Follow the edge of the circular pieces carefully to keep the rounded shape of the circles and so that circles are of the same size and shape.[14]
- Glue the paddles to one of the wheels at an angle. Take the by paddles that you cut out and glue them to the wheel with the shorter side down. Apply fast-drying super glue to the edge of the side of the paddles and press the glue side down to the wheel. Arrange the paddles slightly at an angle toward the center of the wheel.[15]
- Make sure all of the paddles are facing the same direction!
- Attach the other wheel to the paddles and allow the glue to dry. Once you've glued all of the paddles to one of the wheels, apply glue to the edge of the paddles that is face up, making sure you cover the edge evenly with glue. Then take the other foam board wheel and gently press it to the glue to attach it. Allow the glue to dry for at least 1 hour.[16]
- Check that the glue is dry by pressing against the sides to make sure they don't wobble.
- Push a skewer through the center of the wheel. Once the wheel has completely dried, carefully press the sharp end of a skewer through the center of the wheel on one side and push it until it penetrates through the other side of the wheel. Be careful not to crush the wheel as you push the skewer.[17]
- It can help to rotate the skewer as you press to push it through the board.
- Secure drinking cups to the paddles with glue. Once the glue around the paddles has completely dried, take your small drinking cups and apply glue to the bottom of them. Then attach them to the acute angle of the paddles so they can catch the water when it's poured over the wheel. Allow the glue to dry for 1 hour before moving on.[18]
- Trace and cut out 2 "A" shaped frames tall. To create the stand for your wheel, cut a tall frame in the shape of an A out of your foam board. Trace the shape first using a ruler and pencil for even and straight lines, then use your utility knife to cut out the shape.[19]
- Take the first "A" frame and use it to trace your second frame so they are the same size.
- Carve out a "V" shaped knock out of the top of the "A" frames. At the top of the "A," trace a "V" shape, then use your utility knife to cut out the shape. This will serve as a nock for you to rest the skewer on and allow your wheel to turn when water is poured over the cups.[20]
- Cut out 4 rectangular by pieces. To support the frame so the wheel can stand upright, you need to cut out rectangular pieces to serve as a stand for the frame. Measure by rectangles using your ruler and pencil to make sure the lines are straight and even.[21]
- Attach the legs to the "A" frames with glue to form a stand. Apply glue to the bottom legs of the frames and press each of them into the center of one of the rectangles. Hold them there for a moment to let the super glue adhere the 2 pieces before you do the next one.[22]
- Let the glue dry for another hour before you do anything else so the stand is sturdy and secure.
- Place your water wheel in a sink and turn on the faucet. Once all of the glue has dried, place the wheel on the stand by resting the skewer into the nocks you cut out of the top of the frame. Then place your water wheel into a sink, beneath the faucet. Slowly turn on the faucet and let the water land in the cups to turn the wheel.[23]
- Adjust the flow of the faucet to speed up or slow down the spinning wheel.
EditThings You'll Need EditUsing Plastic Spoons - Plastic spoons
- Utility knife
- Scissors
- Styrofoam
- Standard paper plates
- Fast-drying super glue
- Wooden skewers
- Ruler
- Pencil
- Bucket
EditMaking a Water Wheel with Cups - Protractor
- Foam board
- Utility knife
- Fast-drying super glue
- drinking cups
- Ruler
- Pencil
EditReferences EditQuick Summary
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| How to Restore Faded Clothes Posted: 10 Jul 2019 05:00 PM PDT It can be really frustrating to buy colorful clothing only to see it fade as soon as you wash it. Luckily, there are a few different ways you can restore the vibrant color to your garments. Sometimes, detergent can build up on laundry, making it look dull. In that case, washing your clothes with salt or vinegar may help your clothing look like new again. If the fading is from normal washing and wear, dyeing the garment back to the original color can give it a new life! You may also be able to restore your clothes with some common household supplies, like baking soda, coffee, or hydrogen peroxide. EditRestoring Brightness with Salt - Place your faded clothes and regular detergent in the washing machine. If you have clothes that seem to have faded after just a few washes, the culprit may be detergent buildup. Adding salt to your regular wash can help break up that buildup, making your clothes look like new again.[1]
- Powdered laundry detergent is more likely to leave behind residue than liquid detergent.
- Add 1/2 cup (150 g) of salt to the wash cycle. Once you've placed your clothes and detergent in the washing machine, pour about 1/2 cup (150 g) of salt into the drum. In addition to restoring colors, it can also help prevent new clothes from fading in the first place.[2]
- You can add salt to every load of laundry, if you'd like.
- Regular table salt or ultra-fine pickling salts work well for this, but avoid coarse-ground sea salt, as it may not dissolve fully in the washing machine.
- Salt is also an effective stain remover, especially on blood, mildew, and sweat stains.[3]
- Dry your clothing as usual. After your clothes are finished washing, take them out and check the color. If you're satisfied with it, you can either air dry them or place them in your dryer. If they still look faded, try washing them in vinegar, instead.[4]
- You may need to redye your clothes if the color has washed out over time.
EditUsing Vinegar to Combat Detergent Buildup - Add of white vinegar to your washing machine. If you have a top-loading machine, you can pour the vinegar directly into the drum, or you can add it to the fabric softener dispenser if you have a front-loading washer. The vinegar will help break up any detergent or minerals left behind by hard water, so your clothes will look brighter.[5]
- The vinegar will also prevent this buildup in the first place, so it's a great way to keep your clothes color-fast while they're still new.[6]
- Wash the clothes in cool water on a normal cycle. Place your faded clothes into your washing machine, add laundry detergent, and turn on the machine. In many cases, soaking your clothes in vinegar then washing them is all it will take to get them looking brighter.[7]
- Choose the cycle that's appropriate for the clothes you're brightening. For instance, if you're washing items made from a delicate material like silk or lace, you'd want to use a gentle wash. For more durable fabrics like cotton or denim, a normal wash is fine.
- Air-dry your clothes or place them in the dryer. The vinegar will wash out of your clothing during the rinse cycle, so your laundry shouldn't smell like vinegar when it comes out of the wash. You can either hang the clothes to dry or place them in the dryer, depending on the instructions on the care label or how you normally prefer to dry your clothes.
- If a little of the smell does linger, either hang the item to dry outside or put a fabric softener sheet in the dryer. The smell should be gone by the time it's dry.
- If your clothes still look faded, the dye might have washed out, so you may need to dye the clothes instead.
EditDyeing Clothes to Refresh the Color - Check the care label to determine if the garment is a dyeable fabric. Some fabrics accept dye better than others, so before you try to restore your clothing by dyeing it, take a look at the tag inside the item to see what it's made of. If the item is made from at least 60% natural fibers, like cotton, silk, linen, ramie, or wool, or if it's made from rayon or nylon, it will probably dye well.[8]
- Clothing made from a blend of natural and synthetic fibers may not look as dark when they're dyed as clothing made from an all-natural fabric.
- If the garment is made from acrylic, spandex, polyester, or metallic fibers, or if the tag says "Dry Clean Only," it probably will not take dye well, if at all.
- Choose a dye as close to the original color as possible. If you want your garment to look as good as new, take it with you to a big box store or a craft or fabric store to choose the dye. Try to find the closest match you can, as this will give you the boldest, most natural-looking result.[9]
- Protect your skin and work area from the dye. Cover your workspace with newspaper, tarp, or trash bags, so if any of the dye splashes, it won't stain your table, counter, or floors. In addition, have some old rags or paper towels nearby just in you need to quickly clean up any spills. Then, put on old clothes and thick gloves so your clothes and skin don't get stained.[10]
- It's important to protect your hands, because coming into contact with dye can irritate your skin.[11]
- Fill a container with hot water that's about . Most household water heaters are set to a maximum temperature of , although some are set to , so the hottest water from your tap should be sufficient. However, if you want hotter water, you can heat it on the stove to just below boiling, or about . Pour the water into a large pot, bucket, or tub, or fill a top-loading machine with water on the hottest setting.[12]
- You'll need about of water for every of clothing.
- A bucket or pot is good for smaller items like thin tops, accessories, and children's clothes. Use a plastic tub or washing machine for larger items like sweaters and jeans.[13]
- Most articles of clothing weigh about 0.5-1 lb (0.22-0.4 kg).[14]
- Dissolve the dye and salt in a small cup of water, then add them to the bath. Follow the instructions on the dye to determine exactly how much you'll need. Generally, though, you'll need about a 1/2 bottle of dye for every of fabric. To help the dye set better, add 1/2 cup (150 g) of salt for every of fabric you're dyeing. Stir the dye and salt into a small cup of warm water until they're completely dissolved. Then, add the dye and salt mixture to your larger container of water and use a metal long-handled spoon or tongs to stir everything together.[15]
- For easy cleanup, consider using a dowel or a plastic spoon to stir the dye in the smaller container. That way, you can just throw it away when you're finished.
- Add the clothes and soak them for 30-60 minutes, stirring continuously. Place the clothing into the dye bath and use your spoon or tongs to push them down under the water, ensuring they're completely saturated. To help the dye soak evenly into the fabric, stir the clothing around at least every 5-10 minutes. That helps prevent any folds or bunches in the fabric from blocking the dye.[16]
- The more you stir, the more even the dye will be. Some people prefer to stir constantly, while others find it's sufficient to just swish the clothing around every few minutes.
- Take the clothing out of the dye and rinse it thoroughly in cold water. Once the recommended time has passed, or when you think the garment looks dark enough, use your tongs or spoon to carefully lift the clothing out of the dye bath. Transfer it to a bathtub or a sink, and rinse the item under cold running water until the water runs mostly clear.[17]
- Remember, the color will look darker when the garment is wet, so take that into account when you're checking to see if it's ready!
- Clean your sink or tub immediately so the dye doesn't stain it!
- Wash the garment by itself in the washing machine on a cold cycle. If you're satisfied with the color of your clothing, turn the garment inside out and put it in the washing machine. Even though you've already rinsed out much of the dye by hand, more will come out in the wash, so don't put anything else in the washing machine, or it will get stained by dye as well. Then, run the washing machine on a small, cold cycle.[18]
- Turning the garment inside-out when you wash it may help preserve its color.
- Dry the garment to see the final color. You can hang dry your item or you can place it in the dryer, depending on the fabric and your personal preference. Either way, when it's finished, examine the clothing to ensure the dye went on evenly and didn't leave any streaks or lighter areas, and that you're happy with the final result.[19]
- If you need to, you can dye the clothing again.
EditTrying Other Household Items - Try adding baking soda to your washing machine to brighten white clothing. Baking soda is another household staple that can help make your clothes look bright, and it's especially effective on white fabric. Just add about 1/2 cup (90 g) to the drum of your washer along with your clothes and regular detergent.[20]
- Baking soda is also a great way to deodorize your clothing![21]
- Refresh black clothes by soaking them in coffee or tea. If you want an easy, inexpensive way to keep your dark clothes looking rich and new, brew a of very strong black tea or coffee. Place the clothes in the washing machine and wash them as normal, but stay close. When the rinse cycle starts, open the lid of the washing machine and pour in the coffee or tea. Let the cycle finish, then hang your clothing to dry.[22]
- Drying black clothes in the dryer can cause them to fade more quickly.
- Brighten your clothing by adding black pepper to the wash. Place your clothes in the washing machine just as you normally would, then add 2-3 tsp (8-12 g) of ground black pepper in with your clothes. This will help dispel some of the buildup, and the flakes of pepper will wash away in the rinse cycle.[23]
- Wash your white clothes in hydrogen peroxide to brighten them. If your whites are looking faded and dingy after a few washes, it can be tempting to bleach them, but this can weaken and discolor the fabric over time. Instead, add of hydrogen peroxide to your laundry detergent, then wash your clothes as usual.[24]
- You can combine some of these techniques for more brightening power, like adding both salt and vinegar to your wash.
- Sort your clothes by color, turn them inside-out, and wash them in cold water to help prevent them from fading.
- Do not attempt this on clothes marked as "dry clean only." These fabrics are delicate and typically do not accept dye well.
EditThings You'll Need EditRestoring Brightness with Salt EditUsing Vinegar to Combat Detergent Buildup - White vinegar
- Detergent
- Salt (optional)
EditDyeing Clothes to Refresh the Color - Dye
- Large container or washing machine
- Hot water
- Tarp, dropcloth, or garbage bags
- Old clothes and thick gloves
- Small cup
- Salt
- Dowel or plastic spoon
- Long-handled spoon or tongs
EditTrying Other Household Items - Baking soda (optional)
- Coffee or tea (optional)
- Black pepper (optional)
- Hydrogen peroxide (optional)
EditReferences
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| How to Make Artificial Flowers Posted: 10 Jul 2019 09:00 AM PDT Making your own artificial flowers is a great way to create long-lasting blooms that won't cost you a fortune. You'll need coffee filters, tissue paper, or fabric to make simple ruffled flowers that will brighten any space. If you'd like to make realistic looking flowers, use colored materials and arrange the petals so they look natural. Your artificial flowers will look beautiful in a bouquet or on your next craft project! EditShaping Coffee Filters into Flowers - Place coffee filters into dye if you'd like to make colorful flowers. Squirt about of acrylic or latex paint into a large pan or bowl and stir in of water until they're combined. Then, stir in of water and submerge up to 20 round coffee filters of any size. Keep the filters in the dye for 2 to 3 minutes for pale flowers or up to 15 minutes for bold colored flowers.[1]
- Keep in mind that if you use larger coffee filters, you can make bigger flowers.
- If you're making white flowers, you can skip dying the coffee filters.
- Remove the filters and dry them in a single layer. Once the filters are the color you want, use tongs or your fingers to lift them out of the paint. Let the excess paint drip back into the pan and lay the filters on a wire rack. They'll dry faster in a single layer so don't stack the filters on the rack.[2]
- The filters should dry within 20 or 30 minutes, depending on your climate.
- Take a filter and cut it into a spiral. Spread 1 of the dried coffee filters flat and use sharp scissors to make it into a spiral shape. The spiral strip should be about wide as you cut your way to the center of the filter.[3]
- Once you've finished cutting the spiral, you'll be able to stretch the ends of the filter to make a long skinny strip.
- Cut a piece of tape and stick the center of the spiral on it. Tear off a long piece of masking tape and lay it sticky side up on your work surface. Then, place the end of the filter strip about from the tape's end.[4]
- You should use the rounded end of the filter so it will become the middle of your flower.
- In order to make a simple stem for the flower, consider using green masking tape.
- Pleat and gather the filter across the bottom half of the masking tape. To pleat the paper filter, just fold it over onto itself so it ribbons slightly. Press it down onto the bottom half of the tape so it gathers. Then, keep folding as you move down the tape.[5]
- Leave space along the top of the masking tape so you'll be able to wrap and seal the stem of the flower.
- You'll now have a ruffled strip of filter across the length of the masking tape.
- Stick the end of the tape on a straw and wrap the strip around it. Press the tip of a straw on the bottom end of the tape that doesn't have the ruffled filter. Then, wrap the tape around it and keep rolling the straw on the tape until you reach the end of the strip. This will form the ruffled filter flower.[6]
- If you don't want to use a straw, you can use a thin strip of wire or a plastic stem from old artificial flowers.
- Wrap green tape around the straw to create the stem. Cut off a long piece of green masking tape and stick it near the base of the flower. Then, wrap the tape diagonally as stick it around the entire straw. This will make the flower's stem.[7]
- You can keep creating flowers with the other dyed filters you made.
EditCreating Tissue Paper Flowers - Cut out 10 squares of tissue paper. You can make the squares any size you like, but make them as wide as you'd like the flower to be. For example, you can make the squares for a medium-sized flower.[8]
- If you'd like to make more than 1 flower, cut 10 squares for each flower you want to create.
- To save time, you can stack several layers of tissue when you cut the squares.
- Stack the squares and staple the center. Ensure that the sides of the tissue paper squares are lined up before you staple them together. The layers of tissue paper will become the frilled petals of your flower.[9]
- Cut the tissue paper square into a circle. Use a sharp pair of scissors to cut a circle around the stapled center of your tissue paper. Make the circle as wide as you want the flower to be.[10]
- If you'd like to be precise, you can trace a circle before you begin cutting.
- Separate each layer and pinch them up in the center. Peel up 1 layer of tissue paper at a time and scrunch it away from the staple in the middle. You can be firm as you gather each layer because this will make the ruffled texture of the petals.[11]
- Once you've finished gathering the layers near the center, it will look like a small flower that's starting to open.
- Unfurl the petals to shape your tissue paper flower. Use your thumbs to gently tug the layers of tissue paper apart. Work across the entire flower so it fills out and looks like a rounded blossom.[12]
- You can keep the bottom layer of tissue paper flat so it's easier to attach your flower to a bouquet or project.
EditMaking Fabric Flowers - Gather silk or polyester fabric. Choose fabric in your favorite color or use several colors in different hues to make realistic looking flowers. For example, choose peach, coral, and yellow to create a vibrant colored flower.[13]
- If you're using polyester fabric, consider working with satin, organza, acetate lining, lace, or a combination of these.
- Cut 24 fabric petals in different sizes to make 1 flower. You'll need to cut bean-shaped petals in 4 sizes for your flower. Specifically, cut 6 petals out of silk or polyester for each of these bean-shaped sizes:[14]
- Light a candle and use the flame to sear the edges of each petal. To create realistic looking petals, hold each petal close enough to the candle's flame so the edges curl slightly, but don't burn. Rotate the petal slowly to sear every side. If you're working with thick fabric, you'll need to hold it closer to the flame than if you're working with a delicate fabric.[15]
- Pay attention to how close you have to put the fabric to the flame and move the fabric closer if it's taking too long.
- Gather 1 of the smallest petals and stitch the bottom to secure it. Hold the petal horizontally and roll it tightly while you hold the bottom. This will make the center of your flower. Keep the petal in place by double threading a needle and making a few whip stitches across the bottom layers.[16]
- Wrap another small petal around the center petal and stitch the bottom in place. Put 1 more of the smallest petals around the petal that you just stitched. You should keep holding the petals tightly by the base and so your flower can begin to take shape.[17]
- Remember to whip stitch the bottom again to secure the new petal.
- Continue to sew on the petals from smallest to largest. Once you've attached all of the smallest petals, start adding the next smallest size until you've added all of them to the flower. Keep adding the petals so you use the largest petals for the outside of the flower.[18]
- You should continue to whip stitch the base of each petal so your flower doesn't unravel.
- Tie off the thread and unfurl the petals. Tie a knot at the base of your flower and trim the thread. Then, use your fingers to gently pull back the petals at the top of your flower to make them look like they're blossoming.
- You can now attach the flowers to stems for a bouquet or hot glue them onto bows or wreaths.
- To make a beautiful bouquet, arrange several types of artificial flowers and wrap the stems with a pretty ribbon.
- For a simple bouquet, try making a bouquet out of paper flowers.
EditThings You'll Need EditShaping Coffee Filters into Flowers - Scissors
- Coffee filters
- Large pan or bowl
- Spoon
- Acrylic or latex craft paint
- Plastic fork
- Drinking straws
- Masking tape
- Straw
- Wire rack
- Tongs, optional
EditCreating Tissue Paper Flowers - Scissors
- Tissue paper
- Stapler
- Needle and thread
EditMaking Fabric Flowers - Scissors
- Candle
- Needle and thread
- Silk or polyester fabric
EditRelated wikiHows EditReferences EditQuick Summary
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