It’s so much fun to browse through thrift store shelves hoping to find good frames or cute decor items, but sometimes I manage to find great crafty items or in the case of this Thrift Store Thread Rack Makeover, actual craft storage. On the same trip, I found this rack for $3.99 and one of those revolving paint storage racks that usually sell for upwards of $60, for only $3.99! Not a bad haul at all. Now, let’s see what did with that thread rack.
Some of the links below are affiliate links, however, all opinions are my own. I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. For more information, see my Disclosure Policy.
Thrift Store Thread Rack Makeover
Materials
- Wooden Thread Rack
- White Spray Paint (This One with Primer is Better)
- Clear Sealer Spray
- Sandpaper
- Utility Scissors
- Magnetic Strip
- Super 77 Spray Adhesive
- High & Mighty 20 lb. Wall Hanger
Thrift Store Thread Rack Makeover Steps
1: I removed the remaining spokes on the top row where some others were broken off, but if yours isn’t broken, you can choose where to remove spokes to place your magnetic strip later on. Sand off any rough parts left from the spokes.
2: Place the rack front side down and spray paint the back. I was way too heavy-handed with the glossy spray paint, so I’m glad I started on the back. My friend Kim over at Day to Day Adventures gave me some fantastic spray painting tips she used for her adorable Mason Jar Tissue Dispensers, but after I had sprayed the back, lol. Word to the wise, paint several light coats to get the best coverage. A lot of her tips are applicable for painting more than glass, too.
Let it sit overnight if possible, but definitely for a couple of hours for the paint to fully dry and harden.
3: Flip the rack over onto it’s painted back and spray the front in several light coats until you have full coverage. I let each of these coats dry for about 30 minutes each. You may notice a couple of darker areas in the paint. Those are the knots from the pinewood they used. I really should have used a primer coat to make sure I covered those up first. Oh well, next time. I’m not going to lose any sleep over it.
4: Let that final coat dry for at least an hour and then spray a clear coat on it. The only clear coat I had on hand had glitter in it which I have no problem with whatsoever. Let that clear coat dry completely before you move on to the next step. I didn’t wait long enough and now I have fingerprints permanently embedded towards the top.
5: Cut a piece of the magnetic strip to fit across your thread rack. Mine had an adhesive back, but I wanted to make sure that sucker wouldn’t peel off over time, so I beefed it up with some spray adhesive. Carefully place it straight on the rack.
As I noted with my Wedding Seating Chart project, that spray adhesive is no joke. Make sure to spray it far away from anything you don’t want to be sticky until the end of time. If you get it on your fingers, either accept that you are now Spiderman or go straight for the Goo Gone. Neither Dawn nor Clorox could get that sticky off. I’m pretty sure it’s called Super 77 because your fingers will be sticky for 77 years.
6: My thread rack has a little hole at the top for hanging, but I didn’t like the idea of just hammering a huge nail into my wall, so I strung some pretty ribbon through the hole and tied it off. Now I have a cute little loop to hang on a much sturdier hook.
7: For anything like this that has some heft to it, I want to make sure to use sturdy hangers like these wall hangers from High & Mighty. They’re super easy to install without any tools and you can feel confident your art or storage won’t fall off the wall. These particular hangers are for 20 lbs or less, but they make them for heavier items as well.
(These hangers were provided to me at no cost by the folks at High & Mighty but all opinions are my own. I’m using these gems all over my house!)
8: Now it’s time to load up your rack! Putting your thread in rainbow order is completely optional of course.
That’s it! Just add your thread and bobbins and hang it on the wall. I was excited to complete this Thrift Store Thread Rack Makeover project for the monthly Thrift Store Challenge. I think this thread rack was some sort of custom build judging from the craftsmanship and what I’ve seen offered in stores. It has some real heft to it and it feels nice and solid. I probably could have just replaced those broken dowels, but I liked the idea of having a magnetic strip to hold my metal bobbins and needles much, much more. I’m searching for bobbins every single time I sew, so I think this new rack will help me with that little problem. What do you think? Would you find a magnetic strip helpful?
Update: When I moved houses and had to pack up my craft studio, I discovered that those little wooden dowels that hold the thread actually just came right out if I tugged on them! Yep, I wasted time cutting those two off, lol. Oh, well!
If you love thrift store makeovers, be sure to check out this Mini Shabby Chic Shutter Decor!
You are very clever. Why didn’t I think of that
I think it’s more OCD than clever, lol. All my craft room furniture is white, so I obsessively needed it to match. Plus, it’s more useful with magnets.
Great makeover Marie!
Haha, you had me cracking up with your spiderman comment. I had my hands covered in that spray adhesive when I made those Disney masks for my sister’s dance company. I love your rack and the idea with the magnetic strip. My new sewing machine sadly uses the plastic bobbins, but the needles and small scissors would have finally a set place.
I’ve been wanting a thread rack and your addition of the magnet is awesome! Totally going to pin this and add a magnet strip to mine.
What an amazing find! It looks so much cleaner in white and I really like the magnetic strip that you added!
I need something like this …after I get a dedicated craft space, LOL! I have thread all over. Visiting from Thrift Store Challenge.
Great finds at the thrift store especially for craft storage. Glitter clear coat, now that’s cool. I love the thrill of thrifting, lol!