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 :]
SO CUTE! I’ll need to up my sewing to have enough empty spools for this though!! :o)
Super cute!!!!! I LOVE this idea and I love the spools in the jars!!! Fun!! xoxo
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….
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!
I love this idea. Great way to recycle those spools!
great idea! and a project i think i can even do with my toddler’s “help”. :) thanks for sharing and happy weekend.
I like the idea of using it at a craft setup too. Great ideas Gussy girl:)
XO
love the new series, friend! you are so crafty… ;)
Sarah-Anne
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!!
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? :)
Gussy!! – THIS is adorable!! and so are you:)
This is so cute!! I have a ton of old WOODEN spools that would look so so cute like this!
That’s a great idea, thanks for sharing!!
Gussy!! I am loving your saturday crafts!!! SUPER cute!
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 :)
Really cute! I just love the way it looks hanging on your window. Very bright and fun!
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!
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
cute! I am decorating my sewing space now so I think I just may incorporate this into the design!
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!
Love it!!
Oh this is darling! Great idea.
It’s adorable!
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!!
Oh! I love this idea! Love it! You, my dear, are a crafting goddess! Thanks for sharing!
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!
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… : )
Love it! What a cute idea:) Looks great on your window!