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I threw a baby shower this week for a good friend, and in the planning process, one of the biggest stumbling blocks for me was not being abl...

{ A Pretty Drink Cooler }

6:14 PM

I threw a baby shower this week for a good friend, and in the planning process, one of the biggest stumbling blocks for me was not being able to find a drink cooler that matched the shower decor! This may not seem like a big deal to some, but it's important to *me*!

After checking several stores and searching online, I finally realized (and this is becoming my motto): "Heather, if you can't find it pretty, make it pretty."

So I did. I was able to sew it in a jiffy, and I'm NO seamstress, it was super easy and very cute. Here's how I did it.

1 Styrofoam cooler from the grocery store
4 yards fabric
Glue gun & LOTS of glue sticks
2 yards fun trim


I folded the fabric lengthwise, and wrong side out. I laid the cooler down on the fabric to measure how long the "skirt" would need to be.
Using a fabric pencil, I made a line about an inch above the rim where I would sew the sides together.
I placed my pins near the line as well to be ready to start sewing.

And trimmed off some excess.

I sewed along the line. You want the skirt to be slightly longer than the cooler sides so when it's gathered more it doesn't turn out too short.

After the sides were sewn together, I turned the tube right side out and pressed it. Then, on one side, about an inch from the top, I sewed my elastic down the entire length.

To get it ruffled, I pulled the elastic taut while sewing.

Once the elastic was sewn in, I measured it around the rim of the cooler to get it just right and then did a quick stitch from top to bottom at the ends so that it fit nice and snug, and trimmed off the excess ends to create one big loop, or skirt.

Finally time to attach the skirt, I used my glue gun to attack the ruffled part to the rim of the cooler. I should also mention, the cooler I bought had a lid and latches that fixed over the lid to help secure it. This didn't work with my fancy skirt, so I snapped them off and tossed them.

I went back and filled in some gaps to make it extra secure.
Viola! I suppose this could have been good enough, but I wanted a little more frill!
So I glued on a fun pink trim to complete the look!

It worked so great at the baby shower, and I can re-use it again in the future!

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15 *´¯`* ℓσvεℓү cσммεηтs *´¯`*

  1. ADORABLE!!! I might just have to use that idea sometime, thanks!

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  2. I love it! Great idea, looks so nice on the table =)

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  3. How was the baby shower?! Your cooler is just adorable! You are such a creative person. I am so jealous!

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  4. This is fantastic Heather! Thanks so much for sharing, I'll be linking to this project. (I've already gotten emails about it!)

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  5. Great Idea! I LOVE it! Thanks for sharing!!!!!

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  6. That is such a good idea. I like you thought process...making cute things yourself when you can't find what you are looking for. I love the pom pom trim!

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  7. I found you from oneprettything.com ~ I LOVE this idea! I have a shower coming up in a couple of weeks, and it's always a struggle to find something unique for drinks. I'll be using this idea a lot!

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  8. Thank you! I had a lot of fun making it too!

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  9. That is such a great idea! I might use that for my sister-in-law's bridal shower. Thanks!

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  10. What an absolutely great idea! I think it's one of the best I've seen in a long time!

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  11. How creative! Super super cute!

    Michelle
    http://www.everydaycelebrating.com

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  12. I found your blog through Tip Junkie. The decorated drink cooler looks SO cute on the table. What a fun idea! I love it!

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  13. Great idea, great tutorial...thanks for sharing! I'm definitely going to keep this mind. Like you, the whole unmatching part really bugs me!

    Enjoy your weekend!
    ~Michelle
    (Treasure the Moment)

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