Empty Embroidery Thread Spools

Question

I do embroidery for a living and I collect all these empty thread spools (I do a lot of embroidery!!!!).  The only thing is I don't know what to do with them.  I did recycle some but I would really like to use them for some decoration.  I thought of small Christmas trees.  Maybe adding pompoms or felt balls to create a cone and add a decoration at the top.  Maybe some Swarovsky crystals.  I don't know......I'm open to any idea and of course I will post photos of the finished products.  By the way, these are 4.5 inches high and the base is 3 inches wide.  Thanks everyone.

Mona · Answer

At first I thought, legs for a tray,  cake plates or tiered plates.  Then I thought, if you glued the two skinny ends together and painted them, candle holders or display holders for small decor item like pumpkins or your Christmas trees,  ornaments or decorated eggs at Easter. Attaching small terracotta  pots to hold herbs or succulents  and align in a window or on a table scape.   If you're able to cut a slit in the top you could place written card stock and use them as table markers at a gathering.  Paint them metallic, add metallic mylar shred, lay them on their side and make them like display New Year horns.

Art4453012 · Answer

Glue a ball to the top and let kids use bean bags to knock them over

Ginny Feeney · Answer

Paint with metallic paint (silver, gold, copper, brass), hang with ribbon for faux trumpet Christmas decorations.  Make a bunch and hang together for a garland.  Could also be used as a base for diy mini Christmas trees or angels.  Who says I have Christmas on the brain?

Cha9910894 · Answer

If you can't think of anything to make preschool/daycare centers often like them for the little ones to use- stacking, sorting, building,etc as they are big enough that there is no choking hazard

Helen Mays · Answer

these would make great legs for furniutre. Lift a dresser off the floor. I'd spray paint them silver. There is a metal bracket you can buy for mounting on the underside corner of your furniture. These would screw in. Maybe you could try the fat end as the foot or use the fat end on the underneath of the dresser and let the skinny end be the foot.

Dona Annett Calvert-Porter · Answer

They would make a good funnel to put rice into a hot pad or neck heated pillowl

Carole · Answer

Thank you everyone for your ideas.  I like all of them.  I will definitely keep one to use as a funnel as I like to make my own hot pads.  After making all my decorations, the ones I have left I will bring to a daycare center or preschool near my home.  Thanks again and Happy Holidays to everyone.

Maura Buller · Answer

I've seen them used on sewing machine tables. They are cut a little shorter and screwed into the side of the table within easy reach. Great for a place to keep your scissors!

Marra · Answer

Paint them in metallic paints, glue on a plastic or old china or glass plate.  Fill the plate with treats, wrap it in cellophane and tie it with a bow.  You have wonderful fancy gifts for friends and neighbors.

Christie Decker · Answer

Spray paint with metallic or other colored paint and use for candle holders?    Use for legs on trays; paint, glue onto top and bottom of plates of various sizes for cookies/cupcakes; use to elevate desk trays so you can store items underneath on the desk...just some immediate thoughts, more likely to come later, lol.  Blessings and if you want to get rid of some, please let me know, I will send my email address...I'd love to try some ideas out myself. ;)

Mfs7706074 · Answer

My spools are wooden and they make great candle holders...just pain then & you'll see!

Deborah · Answer

Paint, any color, and turn them upside down.  Make a tired serving tray, using graduated sizes of old plates to display food, fabric, Christmas bulbs or anything else you choose.

June Defibaugh · Answer

You can wrap in narrow lace then glue, then decorate with small balls like Christmas tree

Carol Fritcher Uphoff · Answer

I keep 2-3 of them by the right side of my embroidery and sewing machines and have found them handy for holding my surgical steel seam ripper (3/8' x 4'-which is perfect for sliding under bird's nests), my regular seam ripper, and my small embroidery scissors for trimming threads, jump stitches etc.  That keeps them handy and my tools aren't getting lost or knocked on the floor while I am stitching.  I also keep 2-3 by my serger to hold trimming scissors, a double-eyed needle for getting the thread tails under the stitching, and a small seam ripper.   My friends always say , 'Why didn't I think of that!'   tip:  I also have placed them on a 3' x 9' piece of the mesh shelf liner to hold them in place.  My friend glued hers to the mesh, but I like to take them with me when I go to sewing groups and retreats.  I find the green Isacord Cones to work the best and are the most sturdy.

Barbara · Answer

Paint and make into a wall hanger where you take off your coats and purses

Marianne Walker · Answer

It looks like it would be good for a kids game. Throw hoops over it or throw a ball to knock it over. You could paint it according to season, red, white and blue, etc. You could make a cloth ball to trow for an inside game.

Ann|The Apple Street Cottage · Answer

Candlesticks, base for a cake plate, or base for a small artificial Christmas tree.

Tot82190662 · Answer

These longer/larger spools make good handles for skipping ropes, we made ropes for the Samaritan's Purse Christmas boxes.

The Farmers Mrs.

Mogie · Answer

20+ upcycled thread spool crafts

https://swoodsonsays.com/20-upcycled-thread-spool-crafts/

Redcatcec · Answer

Go to the top of this page and type in spool thread crafts, you'll get inspiration.

Deb K · Answer

Hi Carole, hope this inspires you!

https://www.sadieseasongoods.com/serger-little-christmas/

https://swoodsonsays.com/20-upcycled-thread-spool-crafts/

Janice · Answer

You could glue or screw them into a flat board and hang in your closet to hold jewelry...necklaces, bracelets, etc.

Tot82190662 · Answer

Another use for the tall thread cones - handles for skipping ropes, a friend made them from including in the Samaritan's Purse Christmas boxes

Ann|The Apple Street Cottage · Answer

They would make great bases for Christmas trees - pinecones come to mind.

Kim |Exquisitely Unremarkable · Answer

Yes, trees for sure. I would wrap them with fat yarn, more at the bottom than the top, then decorate...or not!

Empty Embroidery Thread Spools

Suggested Project Book

17 Little-Known Ways to Use Your Wasted Wall Space

Other

More

Empty Embroidery Thread Spools

Suggested Project Book