How to Make No-Sew Boot Stuffers

 I came up with this idea after what happened to me this past weekend. I was going to mow the yard and needed my boots.  I  haven't had to wear my boots in a couple of months due to the drought.

And with that said I haven't worn them in a very long time. 

 They were out in the garage but a few weeks ago I took them out to the porch and wash them out because they had cob webs inside them. 

You see before I put them on I always bang them upside down to get anything out that might of crawled inside. But "the man of the place" wanted to spray them first inside with what he had on hand in the shop, carburetor cleaner. Then we wiped them out. I put them on and mowed the yard and what not. About 2 hours later I was done and took my boots off, went inside to use the bathroom and as I was leaving the bathroom I saw a black wad of something on my right foot, on top of my sock. I brushed it off and it moved. Scared the heck out of me. So I got a piece of toilet paper and picked it up. See what I found.

 That's right  BLACK WIDOW.

Been in my boot the whole time I had it on. At first I was like in shock, did it bite me? But then realize I had no pain or burning sensation. Thank God it did not bite me.

So I decide then and there I had to figure out a way to keep these things out of my boots. I thought about just stuffing them with newspaper but I figure it wouldn't be enough protection and so I went in search on the Internet. I looked up herbs that repel spiders and there are a few that work, I found out

Citronella oil, lavender oil, cinnamon oil, peppermint oil, citrus oil and tea tree oil are inexpensive oils that will kill spiders -- as well as other insects -- on contact. Put 1 quart of water in a spray bottle. Add 1 ounce of neem oil and four drops of the essential oil of your liking. Spray the repellent around doors, windows and vents to repel spiders
OK I had lavender oil and one site suggested that a couple of drops on a cotton ball stuffed inside your boot would repel them. But I wanted a little more insurance then that so this doesn't happen again.

 So I  Google in boot stuffer next and came up with products to buy, so I then put in how to make boot stuffer. Came across one good site but it was how to sew them up and I did not want to go through all that work for just my mud boots that stay outside. I wanted to make them out of recycled items that I and you would easily  have around the house.

Now I made mine out of a pair of old blue jeans but you could use any old pants or the long sleeves of an old shirt or sweat shirt.

 1. Measure how deep the inside of your boot is.

 2. Cut the legs 3 - 4 inches longer (11 + 4 = 15")

 3. I cut the hem off, my pants were worn out on the bottom and needed them to be a straight and even.

 4. Use a seam ripper to make slits, about 1/2' long. I made a slit about ever 1.5" and when I did, I pointed my ripper in the direction shown. That way I did not accidentally cut to near the edge. You will do this to both ends of the cut piece you have.

 5. You'll need to find some string, cord, old shoe lace, ribbon or can cut a strip of the blue jean to make draw string that will gather up the ends. I used tape on the ends to stiffen it and make it easier the thread through the slits

Like so, notice I learn to point my ripper the other way. Got a little close to the edge.

 6. You will have done this to both ends, like so

 7. Now gather the bottom and tie in a knot.

 8. You are now going to need stuffing. I look around to see what I had to stuff and there was newspaper, plastic bags, pieces of batting and a bag of polyfil stuffing. 

8. Since my goal was just use recycled stuff I went for newspapers and plastic bags.

9. I have some lavender growing out in a pot so I figure why not add some to the stuffing

10. Then for double protection I added some drops of lavender oil  on the outside. I know over kill

11. Then gather up the open end and tie in a bow. That way I figure I could easily replace the lavender or stuffing if need be.

So there, I little peace of mind for me. And maybe you too.

I've linked to

Clever Chick

Homestead Revival

http://deborahjeansdandelionhouse.blogspot.com/2012/09/farmgirl-friday-blog-hop-76-and.html
and here too
http://whitewolfsummitfarmgirl.blogspot.com/