Tutorial for Making a Hanging Thread Organizer

I have tons of thread and I needed a cheap and simple way to organize them. I knew I wanted them on the wall to take advantage of the empty space.

Here's how my organizers turned out and it only cost about $25 for both.

THREAD ORGANIZER BUILDING PLAN

Dimensions: I did both of mine 36" wide by 11-1/4" tall (you can make yours whatever size you want depending on the size spools and quantity that you have)

Materials and Tools Shopping List:

1-in x 12-in x 6-foot Pine Board ($8 @ Home Depot)

3/8" diameter dowels (for smallest spools)

1/4" diameter dowels (for medium to large spools)

6 d-hooks

Picture hanging wire

3/8" drill bit

1/4" drill bit

drill stopper

deburring tool/countersink (recommended)

Wood Glue

Sandpaper

Tools:

Measuring Tape

Large Square (recommended)

Pencil

Safety Glasses

Saw

Drill

Cut List:

2 - 36" x 11-1/4" boards (cut your 6-foot pine board in-half)

? - 3"-long pieces of 3/8" dowels (however many you need)

? - 5-1/2"-long pieces of 1/4" dowels (however many you need)

General Instructions:

I advise you to read through entire instructions before beginning and make any adjustments/changes according to what you need. Take precautions to cut boards safely.

If you're good with math, you can calculate the size board you need by first counting how many of each spool size you have and then figuring the diameter each spool needs (your dowel is in the center of the measurement).

To see an image of how I did mine see below.

The measurements above are for the amount of spacing in-between rows/dowels.

Once you know your spacing you can create lines on your boards; where they intersect should be where you drill your holes. I highly recommend a large square for this step because it makes everything so fast AND straight!

You'll need a bit to fit the exact size of dowel you're using. I also have a bit stopper for each bit.

To set your stopper, hang your bit off the edge of your wood and make sure it doesn't get too close to the back.

Drill your holes. TIP: don't push down too hard or your stopper could easily slip up making your hole go through the back.

I love my countersink/deburring tool because it get rid of all the ugly jagged edges.

Cut your dowels to the necessary length. See "cut list" above for my suggestions.

Use a scrap of sandpaper to rub the corners of the edges of your dowel pieces that will be exposed.

I used 3 d-ring hangers for each organizer so I could hang it in either orientation, depending on my wall space. Measure and mark the same distance in for each of them...

...pre-drill holes and screw d-rings into place. This is a good time to put your picture hanger wire on before the dowels go in (or it can get pretty awkward).

Drip a few drops of glue into each hole and place your dowels in immediately. TIPS: I like to put enough glue so that it seeps out of the top a little plus I twist my dowels when putting them in to make sure the glue is getting spread on all surfaces. Make sure you push them all the way down and ensure they're straight. After a minute the glue starts to cure so you shouldn't move your dowels after that.

Wait a few hours then you can hang and organize! TIP: I used 2 screws level to each other for each organizer because I didn't want them sliding around with all the weight.