Paper Spools
These simple paper spools are perfect for relax time as well as helping to tidy up your craft room and store snippets of ribbon, lace or various types of thread. Thread catchers in a variety of styles hold loose ends for hassle free storage. Tiny spools are great for embellishments or to store leftover embroidery thread. Keep simple or decorate with DIY hole punch reinforcements, paper buttons or to suit your taste.
materials
What you’ll need:
Assorted paper your choice
Packaging material
Paper punches or dies (or template circles, coins, lids, etc.)
Glue
Brads (optional)
Your spool size is dependent upon your punch or die sizes as these spools can be made any size. A good rule of thumb for the length of your spool is approx. three times the size of your largest punch to keep your winding half circles proportionate to the overall shape. The measurements for a 1 1/2″ punch size spool as shown is 2″ x 3″.
Make your template from waste packaging material as shown in the video and then trace the half circles on your 2″ x 3″ piece for your spool and punch out each mirrored side. There are several ways to make the thread catcher as shown in the video tutorial. The most simple is simply to glue one half of a sturdy circle as if making a closure. Either glue the top half or bottom half depending upon whether you want to catch your thread at the top or bottom. Wind your ribbon, lace or thread around the center.
Decorate to suit your project needs or keep it simple and utilitarian. Add a DIY hole reinforcement to create tag like spools. Add a beautiful button on top of the circle thread catcher for a beautiful focal point and add to a journal or send in happy mail. A button can also become a thread catcher. Make the tiny spools to use as an embellishment and hang a charm from the wrapped ribbons or thread. Hope you find these simple spools a great mass make and paper scrap buster using just circles and circle punches as well as for keeping your craft space tidy.
Happy paper crafting!
Several examples of the spools and thread catchers using Odds and Ends Paper Collection and 1 Grunge Lover and Grunge Lover Paper Collections on Etsy and Shopify.
