Once upon a time, sewing thread came wound on wooden spools. Spools of all sizes- thick and thin, tall and squat. And now, those vintage wood spools are found in antique shops and thrift store cookie tins, begging to be crafted with. Thankfully, there are plenty of wooden spool crafts and ideas out there, including these.
Necklace Rack
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
If you’re anything like me, then you’re constantly looking for unique ways to store your jewelry. Especially necklaces that can get easily tangled together. And this DIY necklace holder, made from salvaged wood and wooden spools, is the perfect antidote for that problem.
Wreath Ornament with Wooden Spools
Image credit: Lora Bloomquist.
There are a lot of DIY Christmas ornaments that you can make with wooden spools, as you’ll find throughout this collection. But this one is a particular favorite of mine. The cute mini wreath shape is perfect for the holiday season, and I especially love being able to see the writing and graphics on the ends of the spools.
Nautical “Buoy” Garland
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
After seeing a similar version of this made from wine corks, I knew I wanted to make my own. And since I had plenty of wooden spools on hand, I used them instead! And it turned out SO cute- plus, unlike corks, there was no hole-drilling required.
Wooden Spool Tassels
Image credit: The Ponds Farmhouse.
Larger wooden spools, especially if they’re still wound with shimmery thread in gorgeous colors, are ideal for this fun craft project! Decorative tassels like these are perfect as embellishments throughout your home. Whether you use them on drapes or just hang them from doorknobs, this is a great way to repurpose the larger vintage spools in your stash.
Upcycled Bracelet
Image credit: Debi’s Design Diary.
Never in a million years would it have occurred to me to create a bracelet from the ends of vintage wooden spools. But then again, those graphics and printing on the ends are pretty fabulous! Either way, this how-to video shows you exactly how to make this absolutely fantastic piece of upcycled jewelry.
Bird House Perch
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Here’s a fun craft idea for a wooden spool, especially if you love providing habitat for birds in your backyard. A thrift store clock (of all things) was upcycled into a birdhouse…and a wooden spool was used as a perch!
You can even use wooden spools (or wine corks) inside a taller birdhouse to raise up the nest/bed location, too.
Wooden Spools as Knobs
Image credit: Organized Clutter.
A vintage firkin-style sewing table from the thrift store isn’t much to look at in its natural state. But a fresh makeover can really make it come alive- and not just for use as storage for sewing supplies. However, it’s awfully fitting to give its doors “new” knobs in the form of wooden spools, isn’t it?
Thread Spool Wreath
Image credit: Petals and Paint Design.
For anyone with a HUGE collection of thread spools (wooden and otherwise), this DIY wreath is a fantastic way to repurpose them. I love how colorful and jumbled it is, while also looking very intentional and carefully pieced together. Check out this video tutorial to find out how to make your own version.
Spool Jewelry
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Wooden spools might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about jewelry making, but they work perfectly for it. Naked wooden spools get flashy makeovers courtesy of paint and vintage fabric to make these fun spool necklaces. But truly, the sky’s the limit when it comes to embellishing them as pendants like this!
Mini Plaid Cooler Ornaments
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
If you’re a fan of vintage Skotch Koolers, then you know exactly what this is! In fact, there are doll-sized versions floating around that you could use on your tree, but they are hard to find and quite costly. So, this version is upcycled from a wooden thread spool and is VASTLY less expensive!
Photo Holders
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
There are so many crafts to make with vintage wooden spools and here is yet another one! Decorated with fabric (flannel in this case), they’ve been upcycled into simple photo holders to display cherished memories. But they’d be perfect on wedding tables to display place cards, as well. Simply paint them (or not) and wrap them in fabric that ties into the color palette.
Vintage Spindle Ornaments
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Now, I know what you may be thinking- that these aren’t wooden spools. But they are- they’re old wooden bobbins from a textile mill. And while they may not be as common as the thread spools you’re used to, they’re ideal for upcycling into spindle ornaments like these.
Wooden Spools on a Bird Feeder
Image credit: House of Hawthornes.
Sometimes those tins are filled with cookies/biscuits and sometimes they’re filled with sewing supplies. In this case, though, one is filled with seed for the birds! And in a nod to their reputation for holding sewing notions, a wooden spool has been added to the top.
Colorful Rainbow
Image credit: Laura Kelly.
Rainbows inspire SO much creativity, so I love to have them around me. And this version made from wooden spools is absolutely ADORABLE! Whether you start with naked spools or have plenty of spools wound with ROYGBIV thread already, this looks like such a cute way to craft with them.
Bracelet Organizer
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Speaking of really old spools from textile mills, here’s another version. Larger and able to stand on its end, these kinds of vintage spools are perfect for upcycling into jewelry storage. In particular, clasp-style bracelets are just the right length to hang from hooks along the top.
Vintage Spool Ornament
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Old wooden spools are great for all sorts of crafts- especially Christmas ornaments. There are lots of ways to upcycle them into DIY Christmas ornaments, but this one with Christmas song lyrics is exceptionally cute.
Easter Decor
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
I know what you’re thinking- decorative carrots??!! But around Easter, they’re a fun and unexpected element to incorporate in your decor. There are lots of ways to make them, but these were made by upcycling some vintage bobbins found at a thrift store (but originally from an old textile mill).
Tray Feet
Image credit: Little Vintage Cottage.
This spool craft may be harder to see. But an old bamboo tray was given a makeover and four wooden spools were attached underneath to act as little feet! What a great way to upcycle a spool quad if they’re all the same height.
Spring Ornaments
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
For smaller wooden spools that are wound in colorful thread (especially pastels or Spring-like colors), this upcycle idea is cute and delightful. Because it turns out, ornaments aren’t just for Christmas! These Spring or Easter ornaments are perfect for a little tree, sporting tiny nests and birds atop wooden spools.
Wooden Spools as Home Decor
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Old spools are honestly cute enough to use in apothecary jars as decor, aren’t they? Whether covered in thread or not (or with newly added twine and string), they look perfect in cottage-style or garden-inspired vignettes and decor like this.
Craft Ideas with Wooden Spools
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Think you’ll be looking through your spool stash to make one of these craft projects? Or maybe you’ll just pick up a few next time you see them while antiquing or thrifting. Either way, there are loads of fun spool crafts to make and these ideas are just scratching the surface!
Craft on!
S
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Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
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.
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