Thursday, August 15, 2013

DIY Thread and Bobbin Holder


I am slowly getting my new craft room in order. Recently, I shared my Ikea Expedit craft table, which I absolutely love for all the storage it gives me for my fabric stash and supplies. 

I've been scouring Pinterest for ideas for storing my thread and bobbins. What I really wanted was a way to store thread with matching bobbins that I could easily grab as needed. 

I was shopping one of my favorite discount stores and came across this Collector's Treasure Frame. (<--Affililiate link to a similiar, but slightly larger version). 


I scored this baby for $5, so I picked up two so I have one when I'm ready to expand. I loved the compartments and thought it would work perfectly. 

Black would have been fine, except I was using white in my craft room, so I made a quick change with spray paint. 

The frame came with a reversible back with black and white. I knew I wanted white, but I loved this glittery scrapbook paper. 

I taped two 8-1/2" x 11" pieces together and it fit my frame perfectly. 

I can fit two spools in each compartment, with room for bobbins on top. Perfect!

I'm really starting to love these UGlu dashes that I picked up at Joann. They stick to anything! Although, I think I will opt for the dots next time. 

Dots would have worked a little better, but these magnets aren't going anywhere!

























I turned the rack on its side to make sure the magnets were lined up and placed high enough so there was plenty of room for the spools.
 

And it's ready to hang!

Once again I turned to my trusty Command Strips. (No ad, but I love them enough that I may or may not have them on my Christmas list). I should have used the thinner strips, but I used what I had on hand. Most of my crafty time comes during nap time or at night, when it's too dark for me to drive (darn TBI eyes!)


I set the level on top to make sure the holder was straight, then pushed it against the wall until I heard all the Command Strips click. 


The holder is hung to the right of my sewing table.

I learned a neat trick for keeping bobbins in order. 

There are several pins on Pinterest that show how to use clear tubing to make bobbin clips, but I found the idea at Schlosser Designs. I bought 2' of 3/4" tubing at Lowe's--the staff was happy to cut it for me. When I got home, I used my non-fabric scissors to cut it into 1/2" rings. Then clip into the ring so there is an opening to fit over the bobbin.


I clipped a few extra and put them in a little box so it's handy the next time I wind a bobbin. 


I liked the idea so much that I went back to Lowe's and bought 1/2" tubing to use for my spools. 


I really like how this holder creates a colorful, but practical display. The only flaw in my plan is that, as a new sewists, I have a pretty steep learning curve ahead of me. And while looking for some new bobbins to fill up my pretty new display, I learned that my particular machine prefers plastic bobbins. Non-magnetic bobbins, that is. Oops. Good thing I have another case to transform into a plastic bobbin-friendly holder, complete with nails instead of magnets. Live and learn.

Linked to:
Create Craft LoveCrystal & Co Diana Rambles * DIY Showoff  * The Grant LifeHouse of Hepworths *  Just Us FourLife After Laundry  * Little Miss Celebration * New Nostalgia * Not Just a Housewife *  Practically Functional * Sew Much CraftingAnd Sew We Craft * Sparkles & a Stove Threading My Way * Val's Quilting StudioWill Cook for Smiles 

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10 comments:

  1. That's a cute way to store them! I definitely need more space! I don't think my flatmate would approve if I hang one of these in our kitchen. :/
    But in 3 years, when I'm living alone, I will have something like this! (Hopefully, ahemm……)

    Love, Midsommarflicka

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  2. Jen, this is a super awesome, great, wonderful, project. I love it! I wish my machine used metal bobbins, but since it doesn't I will have to figure out a way to make it work for plastic. Thank you so much for sharing with the Less Laundry, More Linking party.

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  3. Very, very clever!!! No more trying to find the correct bobbin thread.

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  4. Very creative! I have tons of thread and bobbins. I need to make one of these stat! I featured this on Sew Woodsy today! I

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  5. I am going to Lowe's this weekend and getting me some 3/4" tube!! I NEED that for my bobbins!! Thanks you for the clever idea! And thanks for linking up at Val's Quilting Studio! Sending smiles your way!

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  6. What I really wanted was a way to store thread with matching bobbins that I could easily grab as needed. maquinas de coser

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