Saturday, December 18, 2010

Recycled wool mini trampoline guard

My son has some sensory issues, as well as normal 5 year old boy energy, so I bought him a mini trampoline about a year ago. He loves to jump while he watches tv, and it gets his energy out when we can't be outside. Even the dog likes to lay on it when she's chewing on a bone. Lately, the plastic guard has been cracking from age & use, and the other day it sprouted a hole:


Those little nasty looking metal things look so dangerous! I decided to put all my Christmas sewing on hold & remedy the situation, since winter break is not a good time for a boy's trampoline to be out of order! ;)

It took me all morning, but here it is!


I was able to reuse the elastic on the top, but the rest of the cover was unusable. This project really shows my dedication to recycling! I see these little trampolines at garage sales & thrifts stores all the time for $5 & under, and could have easily thrown this one out & bought a new one, but I wanted to save the frame from the landfill.

Just one thing left... to test it out...

Yep, it works! :)

ETA: I wasn't 100% happy with the thickness of the wool I chose for the top, so I added a circle of wool underneath the rim. Now I am happy! It has stayed in place, so I didn't have to sew it to the cover.

28 comments:

Anna said...

okay.... thats the coolest projet Ive seen in awhile. thanks so much for sharing with us!!!!

Resweater said...

Thanks! :)

Brenda said...

I agree with Anna... This is a trend setting, innovative, and a downright awesome idea!! I hate the feel of vinyl and would much rather have the wool cover (it even looks better and could potentially be cleaned!). Plus, waste should be something that we all dedicate ourselves to reducing. I am an avid garage saler, and this is truly a reason why consumers get rid of them. I am telling you Kris-- This idea belongs in a book!!

Anonymous said...

Best looking trampoline ever!

Brenda said...

P.S. Thanks so much... Just recieved the cashmere today and the pin. LOVE IT and my wool remnants too! I have so many projects that they are and are going to be a part of. I'll be getting busy working more with them after the holiday. So, keep making those scraps!! ;)

Mrs. Small House said...

THIS is why I keep reading your blog. You seriously come up with the most amazing ideas. I love it!!! I've seen these for sale at the thrift store and never buy because of the covers. No more! This is truly awesome!

Resweater said...

You guys are seriously making me blush here! Thanks! :)

LBB said...

We also have this same trampoline for our girls to burn off energy. Our covers not falling apart yet, but I love your idea so much I'm going to make a cover too! Great idea!

Anonymous said...

That is brilliant!

Zaira said...

Awesome!

And thank you for the thrift store reminder. I want to get DS a trampoline for the playroom but the spring covers are always broken, I could totally make my own and save us some serious money!

Dena and Adrianna said...

Wow, this is AWEsome! Even if I had a brand new mini-trampoline, this cover would just make it look more homey!

Your blog inspired me to start my own, since I have also done recycling with fiber items/sweaters for about seven years (mostly with my 4H fiber arts group.) Thanks for all of your great ideas. I want to link to your blog from my own, but need a tip on how to do so. ;)

Resweater said...

Dena, Thanks! I have no idea how to link blogs yet... it's on my list of things to learn. Can anyone let Dena know how to do this?

Dena and Adrianna said...

I know that another blog I follow has a group of other related blogs on her site. She is on vacation but when she returns, I'll try to find out the answer. :) For now, I listed your link in my blog, and if you'd like to peek at my fledgling effort, here it is: www.recycledfiberarts.blogspot.com

angiegirl71 said...

ok I love you...my daughter has the mini trampoline and the edges are getting icky from use...you are so awesome thank you for figuring it out....

Dena and Adrianna said...

I figured it out! I just had to add another "gadget" on my blog, listing blogs I subscribe to, and voila...Resweater is now listed on my blog page!

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Ha ha, that is fantastic! When I scrolled down, that funky little wrap was not what I expected to be surrounding your mini trampoline. I don't think I would have ever thought to make a cover for that... I would have just assumed it was ruined. Good call.

Gingerbread Mommy said...

Do you have a pattern for this? I'm not creative enough to design it myself and yours looks beautiful!

Resweater said...

I just made a pattern from the old cover, using paper bags & taping them together as I went along. From there I just cut pieces & pieced them together using the pattern, until I had enough pieces. The bottom part I made a little less deep than the top piece, and I made a 2 inch piece that went all around to connect the 2 big circle pieces.

jamesmockery said...

People can get many benefits from trampoline, they can get enjoyment with body exercise. There are mini trampoline which can be very useful.

Tammi said...

This is exactly what I am trying to do! Please share with me how you went about it!
Thanks a million!
Tammi

Anonymous said...

Your idea about covering the trampoline springs was really awesome. I find the trampolines all the time to for cheap and the covers over the springs are horrible. I would love to start picking them up and YOU can make the cool coverings. I get things for the poor children and give them to them and seeing their faces light up from excitement is more then priceless. How much would you charge to make the coverings ??
JODI IN OREGON

Resweater said...

Hi Jodi, That is fabulous that you are doing that for the poor children! Unfortunately, this project used a lot of materials and was very labor intensive. These mini trampolines come in several different sizes, so I would have to create several different patterns. For what I would have to charge for my time, it would be cheaper to buy a new trampoline (they are as cheap as $30 online). I know that defeats the purpose of reusing them though. If I had extra time, I would have tried to do this for you, but in addition to being a mom, I work outside of the home, and run Resweater, so there's not much time leftover. I appreciate you thinking of me, though!

Unknown said...

If you are looking for a secure and wide trampoline for your kids or even just for your exercise, you can easily find thousands of results online.

Apnabuilder said...

Trampolines are also helpful for kids with Sensory Processing Disorder. It can help in exercise as well as keeping fit include improved lymphatic system, balance, and coordination. Check out this Trampoline for kids.Round BERG Elite Trampolines


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Armagh Garden Sheds NI said...

trampolines  is the most liking sport to all aged people.