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| Finished product |
Photographic steps to making a thread caddy. This was my first attempt, so I know that future attempts, I will eliminate the spool holder on each end, as it is hindering the way the chain hangs. the hooks get screwed into the bottom of the board after it's covered with the fabric. The chain is attached on either end with the upholstery tacks. Whenever I make a new one, I will post the steps on there as well. Hopefully it will have a better turnout.
The board is about 20 inches or so long and about the width of the thread spool, or a little wider and about 1 to 1/5 inches deep. Use large thread spools to judge how far apart you need to put them. I put 10 spools on mine. While they are all sitting in place, use a pencil and go down inside the main hole of each spool and mark the board. This is where you'll drill the holes.
You will need a dowel rod, 3/16 diameter, cut into 3-inch pieces, however many you will need, sand rough edges off.
You will need a 7/32 drill bit. Drill the holes about half the depth of the board itself. If you aren't sure about stopping in time, measure the board's depth. I used a piece of masking tape to mark the drill bit as to where to stop.
Fabric should be thick, similar to upholstery fabric, or something just as strong. You will sew a hem on all four sides, to keep from fraying, as well as to help hold up to the staples. Make sure your finished fabric is about 6 inches longer than the board length, 3 inches on each end. About 6 inches wider, again 3 inches each side.
Place the board holes up. Place fabric over top, centering the board. Starting with the middle holes, one at a time, put a bit of hot glue in the hole, cover then pound one of the dowel pegs in. Stagger, changing sides, and work your way out toward the ends. This was my mistake, and I started at one end and went to the other, almost running out of fabric on the last end. Once the pegs are all in place, use some fiber fill, or cotton batting and tuck in along one side, stuffing some around the pegs, pull snug, then use staple gun & staple fabric to bottom of board. Make sure your filling is even across each side. Once both sides are filled and stapled, tuck in your ends, and staple as well.
Take a length of decorative, but strong chain, about 18 inches, depending on the length of your board. Use an upholstery tack to secure chain to each end of the board.
Lastly, use screw-in hooks (I only used 3) and screw into bottom of board for scissors to hang from.
Try not to put pegs as close to the ends as I did; another mistake I made. My pattern was a memory of over 40 years!
