Patriotic Thread Spool Wreath

Several generations of my family have served in the military including my grandfather.  My grandmother toured with the USO as a singer and was a very patriotic woman.  She lived by faith and family, always.  She loved to decorate her home and she always had a wreath up, year round.  I thought I should start making some for my family, too.  I have made plenty of them for gifts, but never for myself.  I wanted this wreath to feel a bit like my grandmother’s, so I used a few vintage spools I had left from her button box and incorporated them into the design.  I also had a few miscellaneous spools covered in burlap that were left over from another project.

Supplies:

• 12″ Grapevine Wreath
• Wood Thread Spools (at least 200)
• Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
• Core’dinations Nostalgic Paper Strips
• Miscellaneous Vintage  Spools (optional)
• Raffia
• Scissors
• Paper Trimmer

I started out this wreath with the thought that it would be quick and easy to affix the thread spools on the wreath with clear jewelry cording.  The first spool went on easily and quickly.  I was off to a great start – or so I thought.

The second and third, too.  But it was taking forever.

That is when I though that there must be a better way.

Alas, there was.  I broke out my hot glue gun and it went so much faster.

The other part of my plan was to add color to the spools so I could display it on Memorial Day through July.  I used Core’dinations paper packaged into strips.  I cut the strips into smaller strips to fit on the spools.

I used the hot glue gun to adhere one end of the paper strip.

Then placed another dollop on the end of the paper to finish it off.  I repeated this for a dozen or so of each color.  I ordered 200 spools and used up every single one of them for this wreath.  Make sure you have extra glue sticks on hand for this.  It felt like I was constantly reloading the hot glue gun.

Keep gluing and layering until the wreath is completely covered on the front.  Add a bow to your design and viola!  You have a lovely patriotic thread spool wreath.  I think this would also be gorgeous in fall or holiday colors, too.