Wooden spools have a timeless charm. They’re wonderfully tactile and nostalgic. If you love crafting, having some wooden spools in your stash opens up a world of possibilities. Plus, wooden spool crafts are perfect for crafters of all ages.
We’ll dive into ideas for crafts using wooden spools from Woodpeckers, variations by size and style, as well as inspiration for seasonal and everyday projects. Whether you want small wooden spool craft ideas, something fun for Christmas, or sewing-themed décor, spools will become your new best friend!
What spools Woodpeckers offers
Woodpeckers carries a variety of wooden spools. The collection includes different hole sizes, heights, and diameters.
Some examples:
- Tiny spools (around ½” height, small diameter)
- Medium spools (¾”, 1”, and 1-⅛” heights)
- Barrel style spools, hourglass shape spools, etc.
- Bulk quantity spools so you can use many in one project
These variations mean you can mix and match or just choose the right size (and quantity) for your idea.
Why wooden thread spools are great for crafting
Quick note before the projects: there’s a reason people keep reaching for wooden spools. They’re solid little workhorses — paint goes on smooth, glue sticks, and they don’t buckle the way paper or flimsy plastic can. They’re friendly on the wallet, too. You can grab a bag in bulk and try five different ideas without feeling guilty about the extras.
Alright, enough preamble. Let’s jump into crafts using wooden spools — quick wins for kids, plus a few more polished pieces you’ll be happy to leave out on the mantel!
Small wooden spool craft ideas
These ideas are excellent if you have the smaller spools we sell (½”, ¾”, 1”, etc). They are especially good for wooden spool crafts you can do with kids, simple gifts, or even just accents.
- Mini Thread Spool Christmas Ornaments: Paint or stain small wooden spools, wrap with red/green/gold thread or ribbon, glue a bead or bell on top, and hang them on the tree. Simple and charming — great for Christmas crafts with wooden spools.
- Spool Snowpeople & Figurines: Stack two or three small spools, and glue them into a snowman or snowwoman. Add tiny beads for buttons, felt for scarves, maybe a small hat. These are fun wooden thread spool crafts that kids will love.
- Napkin Rings or Place Settings: Use a small spool, wrap with pretty ribbon, then glue fabric or small holiday greenery to it. For holiday dinners, these make cute wooden spool crafts for décor.
- Desk Tidies & Thread Holders: If you sew, small sewing spools can become functional. Use them to hold small bits of thread for later.
- Tiny Photo Holders: Use a small spool upright, glue a slit in the top, or attach a small clip, and attach a photo, place card, or note. Perfect for gifting or for decoration.
Medium & shaped spools: more advanced wood spool crafts
Larger or more uniquely shaped spools (barrel, hourglass, etc.) lend themselves to projects that are more decorative or functional.
- Tiered Tray Display Feet: Use several larger or barrel spools as feet under a tiered tray to give it height and an artisan look. Paint or decorate them to match your tray.
- Ribbon or Washi Tape Dispenser: Mount medium-sized spools on a wooden board or stand; thread ribbon, lace, or washi tape through. Makes a pretty and practical craft using wooden spools.
- Holiday Garland & Décor: Combine medium and small spools: paint, wrap, string them together with beads, miniature evergreen sprigs, or little lights for a rustic holiday garland. Great for Christmas crafts with wooden spools.
- Tree Ornaments & Decorative Hanging Pieces: A barrel or hourglass spool makes a good central piece. You can paint it, glue on sequins or small decorations, and hang it from ribbon. You could even stencil holiday words on the flat surfaces of the spool.
- Sewing-Themed Gift Tags or Decorations: For lovers of sewing, combine a sewing spool (medium size) with bits of lace, small scissors charms, and buttons to make gift tags, wall hangings, or pincushions.
Seasonal & Christmas crafts with wooden spools
When the holidays roll in, wooden spools become even more exciting. Here are ideas especially tailored for seasonal and Christmas themes.
- Wooden Spool Angels: Use one medium spool as the body, smaller ones for arms or head, add wings made of paper or lace, dress with glitter or metallic paint. Great wood spool crafts for a tree topper or mantlepiece.
- Advent Calendar Spool Houses: Create small “houses” using wood scraps, and use spools as elements (chimneys or pillars, for example). Number them and fill them with tiny treats or messages.
- Candy Cane Spools: Paint stripes of white and red around the spool, glue a wooden hook or wire so it can hang like a candy cane ornament or part of a garland.
- Miniature Christmas Trees: Stack progressively smaller spools, add felt or paper layers, and decorate with beads, glitter, or tiny lights.
Mixed Media & Upcycling Ideas
Wooden spools, especially from Woodpeckers, play well with other craft materials.
- Spool & Bead Snow Globes: Put a spool inside a jar lid, glue small figurines or holiday scenes on top, add fake snow, and invert into a mason jar for a “snow globe” effect.
- Embellished Spools on Wreaths: On a wreath base, glue spools of different sizes, interspersed with berries, pinecones, and ribbon to make a textured, 3D wreath.
- Holiday Centerpieces: Use spools as pedestals for candles (battery-operated ones for safety), or glue them in clusters around a base to lift arrangements.
- Miniature Spool Sculptures: Stack spools, glue, paint, and maybe combine with small wood cutouts or shapes with whimsical figures (e.g., snowpeople, elves, or reindeer).
Choosing the right spool for your craft
To get the best results in wood spool crafts, first consider the hole size. If you’re threading things, you’ll need to make sure the hole is big enough. Woodpeckers sells spools with multiple hole diameters. Then, think about the ideal height and spool diameter. Taller spools are better for stacking or making more visible pieces; flatter ones are better for ornaments. Finally, take the shape into account. Barrel and hourglass spools add visual interest; straight spools are simpler and often more stable.
Tips & tricks for best results
- Seal or prime the wood if you plan to use wet materials (like watercolors or inks), or if you plan to expose them to damp environments.
- Use wood glue for stacking or gluing things onto the spools; it tends to hold better than standard craft glue.
- When wrapping thread or ribbon, use a dab of glue at the start and end to anchor.
- Don’t be afraid to mix materials: combining spools with metal, fabric, paper, or beads gives more texture to your project.
Find the perfect wooden spools for crafts at Woodpeckers
Wooden spools from Woodpeckers are a treasure trove for anyone who loves handmade projects. They work for an endless variety of crafts with wooden thread spools. From small wooden spool craft ideas to holiday-specific Christmas crafts with wooden spools, there’s something here for every skill level and style.
Did you enjoy our wooden thread spools for crafts guide? Be sure to check out our wooden spools shop to find the perfect gift for yourself or a loved one!
