Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Recycling…Spool of Thread Garland

Hi everyone.  I think about Christmas all the time, especially tree decorating ideas. Garlands seem to be the theme for me lately! This week, I want to share another garland idea and it's a recycling project for everyone who sews!

A spool of thread garland with lots of buttons...uses up lots of scrap fabric too!!

spool of thread garland

I so wish I would have saved all the empty spools of thread that I've thrown out over the years!!

Start saving your empty spools now. You can make a little swag with 4 or 5 spools for this year and then after you've saved more empty spools, you can make a whole garland for your tree next year.

spool of thread garland

If you have spools like this, just wind the little leftover thread onto a bobbin!

spool of thread garland

Empty spool ready to decorate and you still haven't wasted any thread…

spool of thread garland

I've had this Christmas charm pack just waiting for a project like this!!

spool of thread garland

Cut strips of fabric to fit each spool.

spool of thread garland

Remove the paper on the ends of each spool.

spool of thread garland

Now you are all set to glue on your fabric.

spool of thread garland

Run a bead of hot glue on the spool.

spool of thread garland

and press on the fabric.

spool of thread garland

Wrap it all the way around and glue the end. The charm pack fabric comes already cut with pinking sheers, but I think it's a cute little touch for the end of the fabric.

spool of thread garland

Now gather up your buttons and bows.

spool of thread garland

Thread the ribbon through the spool.

spool of thread garland

Cut the ribbon at an angle to thread through the button easier.

spool of thread garland

Insert up from the back to the front and then thread through again to the back.

spool of thread garland

It should look like this.

spool of thread garland

Keep on going to desired length…alternating with a spool and a button

spool of thread garland

Perfect for your sewing room or great for a splash of color on your Christmas tree!!

spool of thread garland

You can also use ribbon, yarn or pretty scrapbook paper around the spools too!!

spool of thread garland


Hope you enjoy this little project. It was fast, easy and great for kids to help too!!

Happy crafting!!

Thanks for stopping by,
~Karen~

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22 comments:

  1. Adorable! I'm pinning this right away and I'm so glad that I have been saving these spools of thread for so long (even though I didn't know for what). :)

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  2. I have been saving empty spools for years. They make great toddler toys (blocks, string on long shoe lace, etc.) This will make a great trim for the toddler's Christmas tree we'll have this year. No breakable ornaments on a pint-sized tree for my two-year-old granddaughter to decorate.

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  3. Very cool. I am going to have to save spools now

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  4. You amaze me! Now I wish I hadn't thrown away all those empty spools of thread! I am definitely going to make this one day when I have enough spools to use.

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  5. That is so cute! I hate to throw away the spools because I think they could be used for something. Now I have a reason to save them. Thanks for the instructions!

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  6. How funny. Perhaps I should make one..

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  7. This is so cute! I am going to start saving empty spools and do this! It would be cute for any season! Thank you for this great idea!!

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  8. I was wondering what to do with all the empty spools I have in mason jars in my sewing room. Thanks for the idea! I don't have a garland for my tree so this would be perfect. I do have all different sizes, but I think that makes it interesting.

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  9. Cute cute cute! I think I'd start by faux painting my white spools to look like old wood ones with a can of spray paint...as long as they weren't going into the mouths of toddlers!

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  10. Totally adorable, Karen! And practically free. Gotta love that!

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  11. Oh that is adorable!! I want one!!!

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  12. Karen, those are fabulous!! I bet you could make ornaments with them too!! Please try it and then show us who aren't so creative!! lol They would make great gifts for the sewers in your life. Thanks for sharing!

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  13. Hi Karen, Great idea!!! I too wish I had saved all my spools. I do belong to a quilt club and I will mention your idea to the ladies. Blessings and smiles, Emilou :-)

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  14. What a great idea! Now where are all those spools that I DIDN'T save!! Thanks for sharing this. :)

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  15. Hurray something cute I can use empty spools for, and I have ben doing so much sewing lately I actually have 4 sitting here in the drawer. I guess I better get sewing so I can empty more. Another quilting friend turns hers in at the school art teacher, not sure what she uses them for, was thinking maybe as a handle for home made stamps?
    Thanks Karen!!

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  16. Oh no all those spools I have thrown away! This is so cute!

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  17. I love this! I will start saving spools now.

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  18. I've saved LOTS of spools, and now I know why!! This is how they will be put to use. Thanks so much.

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  19. Love this! I still have a similar craft from Girl Scouts when I was in elementary school. I never thought about doing it again, but it makes sense!

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  20. What a great idea. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to see to sew much. I'm having surgery on both my eyes this week and then I'm believing I'll be able to sew, sew, sew in about six weeks after that with my new Rx for glasses. Anyhow, I plan to have some spools after that. The quilt guild to which I belong really encourages us to have homemade name tags. I just haven't gotten excited about making a small quilt block. Wouldn't this make a cute necklace and glue the spools so they don't rotate on the ribbon. My name is Susan so I'd only need 5 letters and my best(est) quilting buddess has a cricket or there are lots of stencils available and we could always reduce the size if we need to do so. Thanks for a great project and it has spurred some more ideas in me. Many, many thanks.

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  21. Why didn't I think of this? Awesome craft!

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Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment...I just love hearing from you!

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