As a gal that sews, I have {or used to have} a lot of empty spools of thread. At first it was a cute, *little* collection. Then it outgrew the basket I was keeping my empty spools in. Then I had to start throwing new empty spools away for fear of becoming a hoarder.
I’m sure I saw this idea somewhere else, but the thought of wrapping scraps of fabric around the empty spools as a play off of my ruffles//sewing//thread sounded super cute.
Want to know what’s the best part of this Saturday craft? I’ve used the end product to decorate my studio and table at a craft fair {scroll down for a pic}. It’s a totally practical craft :]
Here’s what I did: I used some orange satin ribbon {left over from our wedding, which was 3 years ago this coming summer (fist bump) } and used it as string to carry my empty spools of thread. I used about 30 empty spools for this project. I cut my fabric squares a little bigger than the width of the spool because I wanted them to have a ruffled look once they were glued on.
Materials needed:
empty spools
cotton fabric squares – one for each spool {mine were cut to about 3″x4″}
scissors
hot glue gun + glue sticks
rope: use ribbon, string, twine, yarn {about 5′}
I went through my bin of scrap fabric and picked out colors + patterns that I loved the most. I also found a few solid scraps to use in between all the print squares. And I’ll admit it, I totally ironed the scraps before I glued them on. Hah! :]
To start: draw a line of hot glue onto the spool from edge to edge {left photo below}. Place one edge of the fabric square over top of the line of hot glue {center photo below}. Press hard for a few seconds until the glue dries, then tightly wrap the fabric around the spool. About half way around, stop and squirt a dot of hot glue on the spool. Pull the fabric tight, then continue wrapping until you reach the starting edge of fabric {right photo below}.
When you arrive at the starting edge, draw another line of hot glue on the spool about 1cm before the end fabric {left photo below}. Pull the fabric tight and press down hard for a few seconds {right photo below}.
Repeat with another piece of fabric and spool ~
And… keep repeating :]
This is totally one of my favorite crafts to make. Just in general, I think ruffles are fantastic, so the thought of creating them to be used in a totally new way is… lovely *wink*.
You can see below I hung up my fabric-covered spools like a banner. Adorable. Know what else would be adorable? Use your fabric-covered spools as garland around your Christmas tree, scallop it down a banister, hang in a nursery, or use in a playroom to practice colors//counting//imagination.
I love my pretty banner ~ it’s the perfect element for this wall!
This jar sits on a shelf in my studio. Ruffles, they are literally everywhere in my studio! :]
This jar has also sat on my table at The Creative Connection {bottom left photo}. Can you find it? It’s kind of being sassy and hiding ~
Want another craft idea? Click over to see my first post in my *new* series, Saturday crafts.
* The winner of the Gussy Sews headband giveaway is Jenna Allen, The Indecisive Organizer. Check your email, chicky :]
Viva la Violette
SO CUTE! I’ll need to up my sewing to have enough empty spools for this though!! :o)
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Super cute!!!!! I LOVE this idea and I love the spools in the jars!!! Fun!! xoxo
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I love this! I have so many empty spools that need a function. I just found my old tin of vintage spools in my kitchen cabinet recently. Love the wood ones. I’ll have to give it a try. Now if you’ll just come up with something to do with the serger thread spools….
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yay! i am so happy you posted this! i first saw your fabric covered spools awhile ago on your blog and have become a empty spool hoarder every since. now i just need a glue gun!
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I love this idea. Great way to recycle those spools!
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great idea! and a project i think i can even do with my toddler’s “help”. :) thanks for sharing and happy weekend.
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I like the idea of using it at a craft setup too. Great ideas Gussy girl:)
XO
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love the new series, friend! you are so crafty… ;)
Sarah-Anne
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step 1: start sewing more
step 2: save my spools
step 3: do this!!!
It may take awhile, but I have to make fabric covered spools! So cute! Thanks for sharing!!
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oh i love the ruffled effect! makes an adorable garland, especially since your spools are already such pretty colors. i think they’d also be gorgeous covered in fabric & then made into a wreath like this one: http://modernjune.blogspot.com/2010/11/recycled-spool-wreath.html how cute would that be on your window or studio door? :)
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Gussy!! – THIS is adorable!! and so are you:)
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This is so cute!! I have a ton of old WOODEN spools that would look so so cute like this!
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That’s a great idea, thanks for sharing!!
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Gussy!! I am loving your saturday crafts!!! SUPER cute!
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This is a great idea, I can’t wait to do it in my crafting room! I have been holding onto my empty spools but never knew what to do with them until now! Love it :)
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Really cute! I just love the way it looks hanging on your window. Very bright and fun!
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This is so cute! I saw your fabric covered spools in the jar awhile back and LOVED the idea and I am so happy you posted this tutorial!! Great ideas Gussy!
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I love this craft idea Gussy! It is so pretty…the colors of fabric you choose are also pretty! I like the idea of putting them on a Christmas tree. I’ll have to remember that for Christmas. I like that you did your craft on your ironing board. I often find myself doing a lot of crafts on top of mine and hoping I don’t spill anything…glitter for one. ;)
Have a great weekend,
Nicole
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cute! I am decorating my sewing space now so I think I just may incorporate this into the design!
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That is SUPER adorable. I’ve been craving garlands for my curtain-less bedroom windows (I live in the country, no one but the horses can see me) and I’m loving the color this adds!
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Love it!!
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Oh this is darling! Great idea.
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It’s adorable!
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Love it!! So cute and I’m pretty sure I know where I can get a few spools, LOL … now a reason to not throw them away. Give me a month or so and I’ll have my very own garland a’la Gussy ;).
Happy Saturday my friend!!
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Oh! I love this idea! Love it! You, my dear, are a crafting goddess! Thanks for sharing!
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Hello, Miss Gussy! I don’t know how I missed putting your blog into my reader after Blissdom, but I did. *turning red now* So today I popped over and started reading. Oh, how I love you! And I LOVE this craft idea! Absolutely adorable. I just may have to link to it this weekend.
Miss you, friend!
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I LOVE the colors in your room! As for the fabric covered spools, I wonder if double sided tape would work on the spools with the fabric. Just a thought… : )
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Love it! What a cute idea:) Looks great on your window!
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