DIY Suncatchers from Vintage Scarves

DIY Suncatchers from Vintage Scarves

Back when I made my Aromatherapy Eye Pillows from vintage scarves, I had mentioned that my good friend, Kate DiNatale Vintage, had given me a bag of vintage scarves that she couldn’t sell. As I pawed through them, I noticed that some of them reminded me of faux stained glass. So, I decided to upcycle them into DIY suncatchers for windows that I hoped would stop birds from flying into our windows.

You see, we have a big bay window in our kitchen that lets in the most amazing light. But it also attracts and confuses my beloved songbirds. So something needed to be done.

Anyway, I dug through the bag of scarves looking for the ones that looked best when held up to the light. I set aside the gossamer scarves for a different project, while I gathered some of the brighter, more opaque scarves for this one.

vintage scarves

I have a penchant for upcycling vintage scarves that are damaged. Remember this necklace that I made from a damaged scarf?

Make your own necklace with scarf materialAnyway, once I had the scarves that looked like faux stained glass gathered up, I was ready to put my upcycling idea for DIY suncatchers in action.

And more or less, this fabric craft would only require a couple of things: Vintage scarves and small embroidery hoops.

vintage scarves and embroidery hoops

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Crafting with Old Scarves to Make DIY Suncatchers

I decided to focus on just one scarf from the bunch. Its colors and designs were just divine when held up to the sun!

I set my small embroidery hoops (3″-5″ in size) on the chiffon scarf here and there. I tried to isolate an interesting design in the scarf fabric that would work the best for my craft idea.

old scarves craft ideas

Next, I ran a quick iron over the scarf fabric to ease out any creases.

Then, I set the inner ring under the sections I wanted to isolate and pushed the outer ring over it.

making DIY suncatchers from an old scarf

After tightening it a bit, I tugged the scarf all around the hoop to make sure my design was centered and the fabric taut. Then, I simply trimmed off the excess as closely to the hoop as I could.

how to make suncatchers with vintage scarves

Once I finished creating my DIY suncatchers, I dabbed a bit of Fray-Stop all along the raw edge to ensure it didn’t fray out of control AND stay in place- like an insurance policy.

Now they were ready to hang and serve the same purpose as bird window decals or bird window stickers: to prevent birds from hitting our windows.

faux stained glass suncatchers

Now all that was left to do was to hang them in the window!

handmade suncatcher from a vintage scarf

DIY Suncatchers from Vintage Scarves

To hang them, I simply used white thread (though fishing line would also be perfect) and suction cups with hooks.

When all was said and done, I was mighty happy with my collection of window suncatchers!

DIY suncatchers as window bird deterrents

Don’t they look fantastic (if I do say so myself)? I just LOVE the bright, whimsical colors and funky vintage design of the scarf fabric.

Plus, I don’t have to worry about them shattering all over the floor if the suction cup fails. Let’s not forget that a VERY curious cat lives in my house!

repurpose ideas for old scarves

Here’s hoping they serve the same purpose as bird window decals and prevent birds from hitting our windows.

While my DIY suncatchers DO look pretty hanging there, that is the ultimate goal, after all.

diy suncatchers

Speaking of birds, if you enjoyed this upcycling idea, then you might also be interested in my this hanging bird bath that I made from a casserole dish lid!

Hanging bird bath by upcycling a glass lid as a bird bath bowl

AND I’m so excited to announce that my first book is now available! If you love working with flannel or fabric crafts in general (sewing and non-sewing), then you will LOVE “Crafting with Flannel”!

Craft book on flannel fabric

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.

Comments

  1. So cute! Going to do this. I have probably 75 vintage scarves just hanging around not being used and some are in more vintage condition than others.

  2. chris aka monkey says

    love this i pinned xx

    • chris aka monkey says

      sarah i loved this so much, i did a sorta copycat, i used my 3 and 4 yr. old grandsons water color art they did on wax paper and they turned out great, thanks for the inspiration xx

  3. marybellebuono says

    What an awesome idea, you are just too clever my dear and these turned out great, glad
    Cottenball approved also :0) don’t have any scarves like this but my daughter may.Thank you.

  4. Diana Rambles says

    How lovely!!

  5. Those vintage scarves have some of the coolest, colorful patterns. This is so creative. Love and pinned!!

  6. Now that is a new idea! Goes into my projects file!!!

  7. Heather Gilmour says

    So cute suncatchers! It’s super cool where you installed them, it looks like they are on the tree. Cottonball is so sweet 🙂

    <a href="Carpet cleaners Beckenham

  8. totally cool and I love this idea! I so need some hoops because I have a scarf that would be perfect!

  9. What a clever idea and a perfect was to re-use the scarves. So pretty! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Inspiration Party.

  10. Fonda Rush says

    It kind of looks like you are decorating the tree that stands outside the window! Pretty, and a great idea to keep birds from hitting the window and knocking their little selves out! Cats are wonderful at “helping”, aren’t they?

  11. magknj72 says

    What a cute idea! Thanks for sharing on Think & Make Thursday

  12. Cottonball approved! 🙂 I love these!! Thanks for linking up!

  13. These are gorgeous! Such a great idea. Thanks for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty 🙂

  14. Jann Olson says

    Fun idea. I love how they bring bright color into the branches of the tree! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

  15. What a great idea! I love being able to repurpose things & this is so unique! Thanks for sharing at Friday Favorites. Hope to see you again next week! Michelle

  16. THis is very pretty! I think it helps to have a colourful old scarf 🙂

  17. You’re projects are SO awesome. This is totally my style!! Pinning to share

  18. Thanks for this clever idea —- in 1959, when my dad returned from Korea , he brought some silk scarves. I was 9 years old and felt so grown up when he gave them to me. Lol. They are very sheer, so I was looking for a way to preserve them, and this will work just beautifully.

  19. This is so creative and they look great hanging in your window. Great idea here!

  20. Mary Jane Garner says

    Finally! I have been hanging on to about a dozen silk blouses from the ’70’s and 80’s, and sun catchers could be their new life. Thank you for the idea!
    Jane

  21. I really love this! You can take these scarf sun catchers into so many directions….. like at Christmas use small hoops, – scarves of silver, gold, reds, greens – or use sheer fabric and make ornaments. These scarf sun catchers are so inspiring!

  22. These are so creative and beautiful! Thanks for sharing at Inspiration Thursday. Have a great week!

  23. So creative and colorful. Love the uniqueness of this project Sarah. Thanks for sharing at The Creative Circle.

  24. This is so cute! I love this idea!

    Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!

  25. Very pretty! When I first saw this I thought they were hanging from the tree! Which is a cute idea too! Very creative 🙂

  26. What a fun idea using vintage scarfs. I have a few that my need to be recycled. Thank you for sharing at Vintage Charm. sb

  27. So pretty! What a great idea!

  28. What a fun idea! Scarves seem to go in and out of style, but this might be a fun way to repurpose an old sentimental favorite.

    Thanks for bringing this by Throwback Thursday!

    Mollie

  29. What a great idea. I’ve had birds hit my windows; I hate it. Two years ago a quail/partridge hit my kitchen window so hard that it broke; $126 later .. The glass fitter took the bird home and dressed it out for a meal! Once a pileated woodpecker hit the slider; I got up close and personal caz I thought he’d broken a wing; only winded himself–he was absolutely gorgeous. I will NEVER forget that gold beady eyed stare!

    • Sadie Seasongoods says

      Oh wow!!!! Yes, you absolutely need some deterrents! I can’t even imagine one hitting it and breaking, holy moly…

  30. What a fantastic idea

  31. Beautiful AND functional. So cool.
    We are purchasing a new house and looking for interesting DIFFERENT ideas to decorate. We’ll have some very large windows throughout and I can’t wait to do this. It’s inexpensive, cheerful, and FUN!

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  1. […] #9. DIY Suncatcher using Vintage Scarf and Embroidery Hoop | Tutorial @ Sadie Seasongoods […]

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