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Don’t Let Those Fabric Scraps Go to Waste: Here’s One Idea to Turn Them Into Decor

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, on purchases made after following an affiliate link. See my full disclosure here.

February 20, 2013 By Jackie

These are my happy scrappy decorative spheres.  It felt downright spring-like in here while I was working on this project.  My fabric choices were light and bright.

Fabric Scrap Decorative Spheres

This project was born of two inspirations; upcycled embroidery hoops and fabric wrapping.  The embroidery hoop obsession started years ago as I saw so many cute projects for reusing them.  I started a mini-hoard of them and the small pair from the Thrift Shop Challenge tipped me over the edge.  It was time I did something with some of them.  The fabric wrapping obsession is more recent, and mostly fueled by the wonderful things Ashley Ann does to doll houses and such.

This project only required 3 things:

  1. Embroidery hoops
  2. Fabric Scraps
  3. Elmer’s Glue (I know…how fancy)

I used two small embroidery hoops and two medium hoops to create two spheres.  I fiddled around with my hoops until I created a sphere shape I liked.

Decorative Fabric Wrapped Sphere

For the fabric scraps, I first turned to the selvedges from another project I am working on.  This particular fabric was screen printed with 13 different colors.  The circles on the side show each color and are numbered 1-13.  I used the printed sections of selvedge along with a few strips of the actual fabric for my medium sphere.

fabricscrapspheres2

For the small sphere, I rummaged through my fabric stash and picked out this mix of fabrics.  Since I plan to use these spheres as decor in my studio, I chose colors to go with the room.

fabricscrapspheres3

I cut my fabric scraps into 1/2″ wide strips.  The lengths varied.

fabricscrapspheres4

Next came the wrapping.  I put a small dot of Elmer’s glue on the hoop and pressed in the end of a fabric strip.  I wrapped the fabric around the hoop making sure it overlapped slightly.

Decorative Fabric Wrapped Sphere
When I reached the end of a fabric strip, I added a dab of glue and started a new color of fabric.

Decorative Fabric Wrapped Sphere

I continued all the way around the hoop.  I wrapped four hoops (two inner and two outer with screws) for each sphere.

Decorative Fabric Wrapped Sphere

One trick I found handy was to use a clip at the end to hold the last fabric tail in the glue until it dried.  I left the clip on until I finished wrapping the next hoop, then I moved the clip to the one I just finished.

Decorative Fabric Wrapped Sphere

The selvedge wrapped hoops turned out polka-dotted :)  Love the subtle typographic element with the numbering, too.

Fabric Wrapped Embroidery Hoop Sphere

Once all my hoops were wrapped, I recreated my spheres.  The best method I found was to insert one inner hoop inside the other inner hoop.  Then, I put the first outer hoop around those two with the screw at the intersection of the first two hoops.  Lastly, I used the second outer hoop as the band around the equator.

Fabric Wrapped Embroidery Hoop Sphere

I had a little fun playing around with my spheres and a few other accessories to see how I could style them.  One of my favorite combos was with one sphere propped up in a footed bowl.

Fabric Wrapped Embroidery Hoop Sphere

My scrappy spheres also looked pretty chic with my shabby finials.

Fabric Wrapped Embroidery Hoop Sphere

These will eventually live on my studio shelves…the ones I still need to install (I know, cart before the horse).  I think they are the perfect decorative element for a creative space.  It will be tempting to fill my studio shelves with supplies, so I am trying to be conscious of adding in decorative items that make me happy.  These little spheres brighten my day.

Sharing this project here:
Tatertots and Jello
Under the Table and Dreaming
Home Stories A2Z

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Comments

  1. Megan says

    February 20, 2013 at 12:05 pm

    Jackie, I adore this project (and most of the ones you do, as it happens!) – I have been craving some funky and geometric decorative elements like this one but don’t want to spend a bundle on metal once. This idea has moved to the top of my list!!
    Thanks for the inspiration :)

  2. Sarah @ An Inviting Home says

    February 20, 2013 at 1:23 pm

    Love these…so cute!

    ~Sarah

  3. [email protected] says

    February 20, 2013 at 5:05 pm

    Super, super cute idea!

  4. Deme @ Fresh Coat Of Paint says

    February 20, 2013 at 10:00 pm

    Such a fun, creative idea! Totally pining these :)

  5. Steph Blachowiak says

    February 20, 2013 at 10:03 pm

    OMG!! I love these! What a creative way to use those hoops and your scraps. BRAVO!!

  6. Runt says

    February 21, 2013 at 9:59 am

    This is really cute and could possibly make for an adorable mobile!

  7. Liz says

    February 24, 2013 at 4:40 pm

    Looks like I need to round up some more embroidery hoops. They are rather sculptural, I love it!
    Liz

  8. Lynda Harley says

    February 24, 2013 at 9:52 pm

    Marvelous invention….embroidery hoops have never been so beautiful!

  9. Emily @ My Love for Words says

    February 26, 2013 at 4:05 pm

    These are so cute! Runt and I are on the same wavelength; I was thinking these would make a cute mobile too.

  10. bridgett says

    February 26, 2013 at 7:58 pm

    Jackie ,these are fabulous! I love scrap fabric, and you can never go wrong with embroidery hoops! Would LOVE for you to share at the party! xo bridgett

    http://www.osiemoats.com/2013/02/link-up-party-4.html

  11. Pam Zirbel says

    April 13, 2013 at 5:43 am

    These are awesome!! I have hoops from my mom’s cross stitching and I have a few from mine! I dont cross stitch any more, might some day ….for these are verrrry cool! Thanks for the tutorial on these!! You rock!!! See ya back on FB!!

  12. JaneEllen says

    April 26, 2013 at 11:11 pm

    Jackie you are a genius girl. What an incredible and cute project, so glad you shared this. I came over from Home Made Modern. I love things like this, I buy lots of embroidery hoops at thrift store so hope I have the right sizes. Sure have plenty of fabric I can use. Happy Weekend

  13. Jess @ Spool and Spoon says

    April 28, 2013 at 6:51 pm

    I just randomly found this post through another project that linked up to you as inspiration. What’s ironic about that is a completely different blogger making a completely different project linked up to you for inspiration as well. If that wasn’t a sign that I should be following you, I’m not sure what is.

    Anywho, I love how cute these spheres are and I definitely need to add these to my to do list! Thanks for so much inspiration in just a few minutes :)

  14. Anne says

    May 18, 2013 at 9:36 am

    I love these…such a clever idea and so many options! I am pinning this for later. They will definitely make an appearance in my home!
    Thanks!
    Anne

  15. Rachel Bates says

    July 16, 2013 at 4:24 pm

    Hi Jackie!
    This is a BEAUTIFUL DIY project. I love how it gives me a way to use scrap fabrics I have on hand, and how it is modern way to embellish in your home.

    I had to share on my fanpage: http://www.facebook.com/eljahb. I invite you to stop by there and my online shop:
    http://www.eljahb.etsy.com

    thank you for providing so much insight and ideas on how to make our homes reflect us.
    Rachel

  16. mslambdin says

    February 15, 2014 at 11:47 am

    love these spheres. Gotta try them. Thanks

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