While traditional forms of fiber craft (such as weaving and embroidery) have made a comeback over the past few years, modern makers are exploring new and unusual applications of weaving and stitching. Here are some curious forms of fiber craft that blend upcycling with simple weaving techniques and basic stitches that you may want to try.
Pizza Pan Weaving
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
This woven wall hanging started out as a pizza pan on a thrift store shelf, believe it or not. But, the results are contemporary and surprisingly stylish for a Boho or eclectically-styled home.
Cross Stitch My Heart
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
If traditional cross stitch intimidates you or your eyesight can’t handle those dainty stitches, then this is the perfect solution. Oversized cross stitch on pressed cane is easy to do AND easy on the eyes- and a heart shape for Valentine’s Day is a great beginner’s project to try out.
Stitched Route
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Paper road maps aren’t as common as they used to, but road trips are no less popular! And if you can get your hands on a vintage map like this, stitching your road trip route is a fun and unexpected way to commemorate your trip.
Cross Stitch on Metal Mesh
Image credit: House of Hawthornes.
The metal mesh on screens and kitchen strainers is an unusual but ideal surface for cross stitch like this. Plus, using a strainer gives your fiber craft dimension and an unexpected frame that is easy to hang.
Picture Frame Loom
Image credit: Hello Hydrangea.
Picture frames are a dime a dozen at thrift stores and maybe even your own closets and drawers. And a creative way to repurpose the wooden frames is by turning them into simple, basic looms that are ideal for any number of weaving projects.
Ribbon Weaving as a Fiber Craft
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Silver plate bread baskets used to be a staple on dinner tables, but most of us just aren’t that formal anymore. So they end up in cupboards and thrift stores, looking for an upcycler who can put them to good reuse. Spray paint (to prevent tarnishing) and the simplest form of weaving with ribbon makes quite the transformation on an outdated piece.
Tennis Racket Cross Stitch
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
No one plays with wooden tennis rackets anymore, which means they are ideal for upcycling projects. And the large, rigid grid formed by the racket strings is just begging for jumbo cross stitch like this. Which goes a LOT faster and is easier on the eyes than traditional cross stitch, which is tiny!
Screen Window Stitching
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
An old screened window might not be the first thing when you think of a stitchable surface, but I assure it works delightfully! Plus, you can stitch other fiber and fabric pieces to the screen to make a one-of-a-kind piece of fiber craft art.
Fiber Craft on a Colander
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Not all colanders are created equal. Some have straining holes in decorative shapes, like stars. Which means they can be easily embroidered and turned into a festive centerpiece like this!
Embroidered Baskets
Image credit: Beyond the Picket Fence.
Sometimes large, flat baskets have an open weave- and when they do, some basic stitching with yarn is an easy way to embellish them! Whether seasonal or just decorative, this is a fiber craft that even the most beginner can master.
Printed Fabric Embroidery
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Printed fabric like vintage bed sheets is a great canvas for practicing embroidery. Following along the lines of the printed graphics is as easy as it gets- and the end result is dimensional, colorful, and ready to be hung on the wall.
Standing Loom
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Once upon a time, glass casserole dishes came with wooden racks that made them easy to carry from the kitchen to the table for family style dinners. But those wooden racks are mostly obsolete in today’s home, so why not turn one into a standing loom for a modern weaving project like this?
Embroidery Hoop Loom
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
When we think of embroidery hoops, we think of…well…embroidery! But they can easily be used as a round loom, as well, for a fun and simple circular weaving project.
Cane Furniture Cross Stitch
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
There are a LOT of vintage cane furniture pieces out there, some of which aren’t in great condition. But if the pressed cane is intact (which is surprising, given where I found this table), it is a fantastic canvas for jumbo cross stitch projects with yarn.
From Basket to Bowl
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
An open weave basket (i.e., one with gaps between the woven fibers) is an ideal candidate for this upcycling idea. Weaving colorful ribbon through the gaps and open spaces gives it a completely new look, painted or not.
Stitched Steamer Basket
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
A steamer basket that comes in your pasta or soup pot is usually reserved for cooking food. But it also has those strainer holes that are just begging for some embroidery floss– at least for crafters like me.
Cardboard Loom
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Yes, even that cardboard box in your recycle bin can be used for a fiber craft. Flat, sturdy cardboard is incredibly easy to upcycle into a basic loom for an easy weaving project.
Quirky Fiber Craft Ideas
Photo source: Sadie Seasongoods.
So, now that you’ve seen this unexpected and curious fiber craft ideas, think you’ll try one out? Or perhaps these have inspired your own idea for quirky weaving, embroidery, or cross stitch. Either way, there are some really enjoyable ways to expand the definitions of these traditional fiber crafts and I hope you have fun with whatever you try!
Craft on!
S
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Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.
I love these quirky stitchery ideas! Great post!
Thank you so much, Jeanne!