UPDATE: The Bitty Baby doll and clothing lot is now up to $40! If you missed out on the auction we are having, you can check it out HERE.
I’ve wanted a thread shelf for a really long time…something that would hold ALL my thread and also give me easy access to the color I needed. Trying to find something like what I had in mind was fruitless online, so I decided I could just make one. Remember when I shared these pictures of “a future project?”
I made this whole thing all by myself, except my hubby cut the beadboard piece and ripped the trim boards on the side in half. I cut all the other pieces and did all the gluing… Oh and he hung it up for me… :o)
I had a piece of beadboard and cut it to the size I wanted. Then I took trim pieces and cut them to fit around the edge.
I wanted to use the beadboard because it already had lines and it was easier to make sure I was getting things straight. I glued the edge pieces on with Gorilla wood glue.
After I let that dry, I placed the slats I had already cut and painted, in between the side pieces. I used some of my spools as spacers to make sure I allowed enough room to get the spools in and out easily.
I didn’t want my spools of thread to fall out if I bumped them, so I glued a piece of the tiniest trim I could find, extending it about 1/8″ along the edges of the slats. Think of it like one of those plate racks to keep your plates from sliding forward.
Then it was just a matter of priming and painting it. It was hard to let it dry when it was almost finished…
I had collected my thread from all the various places I had it and put it in a few containers… it was a jumbled mess…
I have LOTS of thread and while it was drying, I began sorting out my spools…small for the top 2 rows and then gradually getting to the largest spools. A friend gave me all those spools on the bottom. They came from a dry cleaners that closed and she thought I might like them…uh…YES!!
My hubby was laughing at me as I started putting my spools on the shelves. He said, “Oh brother, are you going to turn your thread into an art project like you did your fabric?” “Of course I am!”
…and I did!
I had just the place to hang it too…behind my door…out of the way, but visible. There was only about 5 inches of space back there so it worked well and emptied out a container that I can now use for something else.
Some of the larger spools would only fit sideways… the cardboard middle piece stuck out too far to fit in the space. Oh well, laying down is good too! :o)
Guess I was a few rows short… I have a few spools left over…oh well…
I’m planning to make a clear cover for my thread to keep it dust free as much as possible. I had one over my June Tailor thread rack and that piece just might fit. I’ll have to see…
Just a little something to check off my “to do” list!
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Well, Jeanne, I think you Might have as much thread as I do!! Mine is all (okay, Mostly) in covered clear boxes stored under my sewing table, away from light and dust. Since I’m short, wall storage for that much thread wouldn’t be very practical, esp. considering the setup in my sewing room–I wouldn’t be able to reach it! So, this works for me.
I love how you show us exactly how you made something like this; it’s one thing to design something and quite another to actually make what you’ve designed! And, of course, it’s something else again to teach others how you did it–but you have done all three.
That tiny trim is a brilliant idea to keep your spools from “traveling.” And, yes, a covering of some sort would be necessary, I think, to keep your thread clean and prevent its drying out. The clear vinyl will do that, but still people can see your lovely piece of “art” hanging on your wall!
Hi Charlotte
I actually thought it would look like a lot more thread than it actually does…of course, that doesn’t include my Sulky and rayon threads, my quilting spools and my serger cone threads.
My clear vinyl sheet was wide enough so I have that done now. Yay!
I’m working on one more project for my props…but it will be a few more days on it…
Thanks Charlotte,
I’m glad you enjoyed todays post.
Blessings, Jeanne
Looks great! Now it will be much easier to coordinate the right color thread with your material. It.does add a beautiful wall hanging to your sewing room also. Have a great day!
Sylvia from NH
Hi Sylvia,
It does kind of seem like a piece of art on my wall, doesn’t it? Thank you so much,
Blessings, Jeanne
Another ingenious invention from Jeanne Marie! I love the way it looks hanging on the wall as a decoration, but a decoration that is essential to a sewing room! And you can see exactly what you have without having to get anything out, and surely you can’t forget anything this way either! You will know right away if you have the right color or amount you might need. Perfect, Jeanne!
Hi Linda,
I do like being able to see all the colors I have st a single glance. It just seemed like the right thing to put on that wall…and being pretty while it hangs there was just a nice bonus!
Thanks so much Linda,
Blessings, Jeanne
It’s just beautiful. Now I’m worried that if a spool runs out, you may have to do some major shifting. Really,, I’m just being silly — I’m sure it’s going to work out nicely and that you’ll enjoy it every day. The thread spacers appear to have worked perfectly.
I’ve been out weeding, walker and all. It’s not too late to plant some things here. Besides, the wife of the man who does the lawn work just retired — at 76 — and needs another interest, even if it”s just being someplace different and watching him work and me try to work. He gets money, she gets change, I get exercise.
Hi Marilyn,
I was thinking about the same thing as you mentioned…and having to shift things..I guess well see. I DO use up a fair amount of thread, so it might change often….
I’m glad you are planting some flowers or plants! I’m sure your yard has missed you big time!!!
Have fun
Blessings, Jeanne
Such a lovely work of art and the perfect place to hang it too. A clear covering is a great idea. Like Charlotte, I keep most of my thread in clear boxes separated by color. I have so much thread inherited from my relatives. It is wonderful though to have thread in just the right color when needed. 🙂 Oh, and I collect the empty spools too, but only the wooden ones. I have several large jars filled with spools of various sizes. 🙂
Hi Joy,
The thread has been covered up and it looks nice. Very easy to lift up and get the spool I need! I’m thrilled to be able to see it all in one glance.
I only like the wooden spools too!
Thanks Joy! and a second thank you too! :o)
Blessings, Jeanne
Beautifully done, Jeanne…and so pretty to see through the door. You ARE an artist in every way. It’s so fun to see your creativity.
Blessings.
Thank you Becky,
I’m glad you like it…just one more piece to my sewing room’s completion.
Blessings, Jeanne
Easy fix . . . Make another one!! LOL
Hi Dorothy,
I could have made it longer…my beadboard was about 8″ longer and I had 2 extra slats…
But I think this will do. I wanted to leave enough room to put my light tent and maybe a few other things below.
Blessings, Jeanne
That is wonderful!! My thread is also in those plastic boxes with the spikes to hold them, but I don’t have nearly as much as you do. This is a great solution for you because you can walk over with the fabric you’re using and pull the right color off, much as we do at the fabric store. A cover is a perfect final touch.
I was out weeding and watering this morning… now time to stay cool and find a fun project to work on this afternoon
Hi Laura,
I’ve had my thread in clear containers, on those spindle racks and now on a shelf…I hope this will be my favorite. I do like the convenience of seeing all the colors at a single glance.
It is incredibly hot and humid here today…I’m staying inside! :o)
Blessings, Jeanne
The thread holder turned out great! Like Dorthy L said, you just need to make another one!😊
Thank you Juia,
I’m glad you like it! Me too…so far. The clear cover has been added and now it’s time to move on…
Have s great weekend…
Blessings, Jeanne
I had the grandkids today so I’m tuning in late. I love the thread “work of art”. For years I’ve been keeping my eye out for something like you created. I have one of those expandable wooden thread holders for my embroidery thread when I’m working on a design. Normally they are kept in plastic boxes by color. But I have so much thread that the expandable rack would never work for ultimate thread storage. Something that hangs on the wall and is narrow in depth like your thread rack would be perfect. Ever think of making these and selling them? Probably not. It was just an idea. I mentioned making something like this to my hubby a few times, but he suffers some hearing loss and I’m convinced it’s selective.
Marilyn is truly in inspiration. I have on my list that she lives in Colorado, not sure where. Since I try to spend time in Colorado each year to get out of the Texas heat, I think she probably has a better climate for wanting to get out and doing things. I remember when I lived in PA we spent our whole summer practically out of doors. When you have a real winter, you are often cooped up for awhile. When spring and summer come the idea of being inside is unthinkable. Here there is never really a good time for being outside. Cold, damp and rainy winters and superheated summers. Our short Fall and short Spring are the only chance to really enjoy the outdoors. In PA my parents used to prepare their gardens, vegetable and flower, in the spring with peat moss and cocoa bean shells and never pull a weed the rest of the season. Here, even when we used the cloth before we plant, the weeds just come up through it. Better here to let things go back to nature, but the city does not like you to do that.
Joy’s comment about the thread spools brought something to mind I’ve been meaning to ask you and people on the Blog. Thread spools have become very poorly made. Today I got out a new spool of white and when I went to pull the end of the thread to get it started, the top ring flew off the spool. Now it is hard to use because it keeps catching when it unrolls toward the one end. But I’ve had other things, including thread catching in the slit at the top, ragged edges on the top and bottom, etc. I have no complaints with the thread, only the spools they’re on. Anyone else having this problem? This is Coats & Clark thread and that used to be a sure thing.
Now that you have made one thread holder, you are experienced and can make one for every type of thread you have. What a colorful sewing room that will be!
Hi Barbara,
My hubby definitely has hearing loss from the Chemo, but sometimes I think his might be just a little bit selective like yours! :o)
I’d have to get a lot faster if I ever sold these… show my picture to your hubby and maybe he’ll surprise you! You never know!
Marilyn lives in Boulder, CO. I’m not sure about her weather these days, but it always seems to me like she gets the first snow of the year… :o)
I can’t say I’m much of a gardener but I do love a pretty yard. (That’s what hubbies are for, right?)
I personally haven’t had any trouble with thread lately, but then again, I haven’t been sewing much lately. I have my spools set so that the thread comes off at a 90 degree angle… if you have your thread laying down, you might need a little piece on the end (like a tiny saucer with a hole in the middle) so your thread goes up and over the “saucer” and doesn’t rub against the end of the spool…
My sewing room really is pretty nice now… if it could just clean my house, I’d be set! :o)
Thanks Barbara,
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh Holy Queen of Thread! That is just the cleverest thing yet! I LOVE IT, I have the kind that have little dowels sticking out. Your idea and design is way better🤗
I’ll be showing it to hubby to see if there is any way he would make something like it
Thank you for the idea…it’s brilliant and so pretty!
Thank you Kathie,
I’m sure your hubby could come up with something like this… If I could do it, I’m sure he could. I never did like my June Tailor rack… something about it… every time I tried to get one spool off, the one beside it, flew off too. I hope my new version works better…
Thanks Kathie,
Blessings, Jeanne