If you live in or have traveled to the Carolinas, then you may know that this area has a long history in textiles. The mills still dot the landscape, with one in nearly every town. Some are dilapidated, some just empty, and some of have been converted into new commercial/residential use. Relics of that textile mill history (such as serger thread cones) are found in nearly every antique and thrift store in the region.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
I had a Christmas craft project in mind for a few of them and began gathering green and red ones whenever I spotted them.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
And my idea was simple. CRAZY SIMPLE. All I needed were the serger thread cones and some sequins.
Vintage sequins, of course. Because that’s just how I roll!
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
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Decorating the Serger Thread Cones
This is the collection of thread cones I ended up with, varying in shade and hue- but with a definite Christmas theme. One was wrapped in a deep scarlet yarn, but the others were serger thread or overlock thread.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
If you don’t see these at your antiques and thrift stores, make sure to check on Etsy to see what’s available from vintage sellers.
My main goal was to collect various sizes in reds and greens AND find cones that were constructed of cardboard/paperboard.
I admittedly bypassed the plastic cones, even if the thread color was Christmas-y.
Anyway, once I had assembled my serger thread, I needed to clean them up a bit. So, I unraveled any loose threads, removed tape and pricetags, and snipped off any tail ends.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Next, I gathered the vintage sequins I had found on Etsy.
Using quick-dry craft glue (which worked perfectly), I simply started decorating the cones with sequins.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
And let me tell you, this Christmas craft project is kind of addictive. I forgot how much fun (and gorgeous) sequins are. They worked perfectly as the ornaments on my cone Christmas trees.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Though I do also recommend using craft tweezers/forceps to perfectly place the daintier sequins. Just don’t use your good tweezers!
Aren’t they adorable? Talk about the easiest craft project ever (once you find the serger thread cones).
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Christmas Craft Project with Serger Thread Cones
This is a great Christmas project to do with kids, too; using the scissors to trim off any loose tails is the only “dangerous” part!
Plus, there’s no messy paint. You’re just gluing sequins onto overlock thread.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
And the end result are simply adorable. Perfect little tabletop Christmas trees!
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
I still have oodles of vintage sequins leftover in case I find more serger thread in green. Knowing me, I’ll find more thread cones at some point, that’s for sure!
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
I’ve also upcycled some serger thread for Halloween, too – as candy corn decor and ghost decorations!
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Craft on!
S
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Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.
Very creative use of those giant spools! Cute way to add a holiday touch to a craft room. Visiting from the Creative Exchange party.
Thank you so very much!
WOW! I continue to be amazed at how creative you are. These trees are so happy!!
Thank you, Melissa!
What a cool idea! Great reuse of something vintage, and celebration of the local economy. Those are quite gorgeous.
Thank you so very much!!
Cute idea, you have a whole forest of Christmas trees.
I do!!! 😀
Super smart and creative idea! I simply love these for so many reasons!
Thanks, Margaret!!
as usual your amazing brain just leaves me gobsmacked, these are adorable xx
Hugs to you- thank you so much!
Such a clever idea Sarah!! I might have to “borrow/steal” it since I have a few rolls of serger thread too. Does the glue penetrate very far into the roll? Just asking as I’ve tried to sell them before, so if I wanted to try them again…
I don’t think it did, but I can’t be sure. Mine have so much thread on them, though, that I think it would be easy to unravel a little from each one and no one would be the wiser! 😉
Totally awesome suggestion for the cones of serger thread you bought for the serger that you are afraid to try out. LOL Vintage sequins are the best. A lot of the new sequins are holographic…what the heck? And sequins by the yard all seem to be flat, not the cupped ones that sparkle more. As for the best of the best, you seem to be missing the great vintage Christmas sequins shaped like doves, candles, wreaths, reindeer…would have been perfect on those trees.
Love this idea Sarah and they look gorgeous. Those vintage sequins are super pretty too. I might just head on over to your ersy shop and get some 😉
Thanks, Michelle!
No matter what it is you will find creative way to make it pretty and useful. Love this idea. Hmmm, seems like I have some of those, will have to go digging.Would love to be in your head for 5 mins. any time to see what you come up with, what fun.
Have wonderful weekend
Thanks, JaneEllen! <3
Too cute. I have some of these thread cones also! Love your stuff. Linda @Crafts a la mode
Thank you so very much, Linda!
These are just ridiculously cute, I’ve never seen anything like this in Charity shops here in the UK but I’ll be keeping my eyes open for them now!
Thanks, Julie! I wondered if they were a regional thing (not just to the US, but to my part of the US where so many textile mills used to be). I’ll keep my junkin’ fingers crossed for you!
So cute. Sold a bunch of these at auction a while back. Just went to your Etsy shop and discovered you live in Greenville. Yay for the Upstate. I live in Fountain Inn. Love all your ideas.
Thanks, Lynn!! We lived in Fountain Inn for several years!
These are so stinkin’ charming. Pinning now.
Thank you very much!! (I think so, too 😉 )
These are too cool Sarah! Thanks for sharing at Funtastic Friday!
Thanks, Angie!!
You have so many great ideas – I love the way you see things! thanks for sharing the the Pleasures of the NW’s DIY party!
Thanks so much, Helen- and thank you for hosting!
These are so cute! I have a few of these around… somewhere.
Thanks, Joanne!
These are so cute. I would never have thought of doing this because I need to use the thread. You are lucky you find these things in the shops, I only find plastics!
Thank you so much, Mary! I find a lot of plastics, too…so I definitely hoard the cardboard/paperboard ones!! 🙂
Cute idea! Thanks for joining us at the Inspiration Spotlight party.Shared.
So cute! I wouldn’t have thought of using them and yet the shape is right there! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Chloe!!! 🙂
What a fun idea! And thanks for bringing this to Throwback Thursday! 🙂
Thanks so much, Mollie!
My grandma had tons of these at her house. I love how you re-purposed them.
Thanks, Mary!
These are sooooo adorable. My mom has a surger and a commercial machine and has probably thrown away a ton of spools over the years.
I found your blog through Homemade and Handcrafted Link party on Redo It Yourself blog. Come over and link up with us at Waste Not Wednesday and tell your blogger friends! We’re always looking for talented bloggers and projects to follow and feature 🙂 http://www.smallhomesoul.com/waste-not-wednesday-26/
Thanks so much for the invite! When does your party open? I’d love to add it to my weekly calendar. 🙂
Sorry for the late reply, our party goes live every Tuesday evening at 7 pm PT
Just wow. Truly amazing crafting work for christmas home decor. Trees are looking stunning.. 😀
What a lovely way to add some sweet Christmas sparkles to your craft room!! So very cute and clever!!!
Thank you so very much, Sam! I’m happy that I found your link party. 🙂
So smart and cleaver! I would have never thought of this. I just love this for a mantel or even in the bathroom.
Thanks so much, Lindsay!
These are too cute!
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
These are so cute and so colorful and fun! I live in Central NC and I grew up near a mill town.
Thank you, Angela- so you know exactly what I mean…they’re everywhere! I remember years ago a booth at The Depot that had thousands of these!!
Sarah – we LOVE LOVE LOVE this project! Having both been raised in the south we have definitely seen our share of these spools – and have quite a few in our own collections! thank you for sharing a new-to-us way of using them!
Y’all…we HAVE to get together someday after the holiday madness! I’m in Greenville, SC…just a couple of hours up 85 from the ATL. 🙂 We could meet in Braselton sometime!!
What??? Those are too cool! Love that you used vintage doodads one them too!
Thank you lady!! Vintage doodads are FAR superior to modern doodads, obviously… 😉