Unraveling a Letter {diy}

By Brittni • posted on 01/20/2011

Here’s a fun idea for sending a message to someone you love… stamp it. I found these little wooden spools at the craft store and wanted to come up with a clever use for them. And since Valentine’s Day is coming up, I thought this would be a unique keepsake. Writing a letter that needs to be unraveled to be read. This could work for any occasion really….birthdays, just because, etc.

What do I need? Materials: Fabric or ribbon (length will vary depending on length of message), wooden spool (from craft store or recycled), rubber letter stamps, stamp pad, craft glue

How do I make it? Steps: 1. Cut a long strip of fabric about 1.5 wide and at least one yard long depending on how long you want your letter to be. You can also use ribbon as oppose to fabric (cotton webbing works great).

2. Leave a couple of inches on the end of the fabric strip blank and then begin stamping your message.

3. Once message is complete, glue the start of the message (the area that you left blank at the beginning) to the spool using craft glue. Ravel your message around the spool. Place in a decorative box and you are all set.

Looking for more ideas for quick weekend projects? Click here to visit the tutorials page filled with more than 25 easy diys.

53 comments | Click here to reply

Hi Jenna. I got my alphabet stamps at an antique store. Maybe you could check Etsy to see if they have any vintage ones that you like? Good luck with your search.

papernstitch

I just stumbled across the unraveling a letter for a valentine’s gift. I have been looking online for a couple hours now on where to get decent alphabet stamp sets. Where did you purchase yours for this particular DIY project?

Thank you,
Jenna

Jenna

What a cute idea!!

Jessica @shimmerkai

Oh, that’s a romantic letter. Gad to stop here in your blog and know something worth and new. I would probably do this to my Girlfriend.

Mason King

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Hi Ms Muffin. Olive Manna has the best spools and they are very affordable. This one is my favorite:
http://www.olivemannashop.com/product/vintage-stained-wood-spools
-Brittni

papernstitch

So cute!!!
I would LOVE to get such a letter. Am not too sure what my husband would say to it … 😉
But I have no idea where to get such cute spools. Have not seen any around here. I know some people get vintage ones. But even those are either horribly expensive … or hiding from me! :-/

Will keep looking though!

Love
Ms Muffin

Ms Muffin

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Glad you like the tutorial Annie. And thank you for the linkback on your blog. That’s great! Hope you have a great week.
-Brittni

papernstitch

Was searching for Budget valentine gift ideas for my family and came across this… how beautiful and since I have all the supplies it is certainly within my budget… FREE! Thanks so much for posting such a cute idea and I have linked your post to my budget valentines ideas article.

Annie

[…] DIY- Unraveling a Letter A fun idea for sending a message to someone you love […]

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Thought I would comment and say superb theme, did you create it on your own? It’s really great!

laer sprog

[…] sweet idea for sending an unexpected message to your valentine. Posted by kbeall » holidays, make […]

» Unraveling a Letter.

Thanks Mom. 🙂

papernstitch

Awesome job! So sweet and thoughtful (and easy to do!) Thanks for the great idea

Karin

I’ve never seen this before…so clever!
Jana

Jana @ The Summer House

I found this post while searching for craft ideas for a huge bin of wooden spools I found while thrifting. Just love the idea. My daughters will love getting one of these! Thanks.

Wendy

wonderful, adorable|

simona

[…] There it is. I got this idea from A Breath of Frake-Air who found a tutorial on Paper n Stitch (a SUPER cute blog full of DIYs). I switched it up a little bit and, instead of […]

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I knew I was saving all those wooden spools for a reason!

Ann

Thanks everyone who has linked to this tutorial. It means a lot to me. You all are the best!
-Brittni

papernstitch

Aww, I love this! What a fun idea. Thanks so much for this, I’ll be linking.

Rachel

This is sooo sweet! I love the idea and I think it would indeed be great for family or friends! Thanks for sharing!

RobbieLee at Chickiedee

[…] Stamped love message on a wooden spool from Paper N Stich […]

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This is really a fantastic idea! It could be given to anyone, anytime of the year, as a supportive note for someone who feels their life is ‘unraveling’. Thank you so much for sharing this with us!

Cindy Lietz, Polymer Clay Tutor

great idea!!

Stephanie

This is such a cute idea! I love it. Such a nice gift to give a sister or mother that loves sewing on V day! x

Lilly Higgins

I love this! Its so cute and adorable and EASY!

Heather

Thanks so much to everyone who has written about this project on their blog or left a comment here. I would love to see your finished version for those that have tried this…leave a link to a picture if you would like.
-Brittni

papernstitch

Adorable!

whyte

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What a truly clever idea!

Carol

What a lovely idea. I’ll be trying this one, thanks for sharing it.
Nina

Nina

Stacy,
Yes. I thought of doing it that way as well. But I had already written the message the opposite way when I thought of it. 🙂 Good idea.
Brittni

papernstitch

Very cute! Gonna have to try this. My only suggestion that came to mind is to glue it the opposite way maybe? That way they read the message as the unroll it? So glue the fabric at the end of the sentance or message to the spool?

Stacy

Darling idea! I should make one for my husband.

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[…] Paper n Stitch has this super sweet idea […]

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GOOD job! this is something i’d definitely do one day. if you just could find some decent letter stamps in this darn country!

lou

That’s so sweet, you’re so imaginative, Brittni!

Louise

Very nice! I love it!

Fee-AMore

sweet idea for those remnant pieces of ribbon!

tanya

Thanks everyone. These are so easy to make. I am addicted…
-Brittni

papernstitch

love it! great idea, brittni!

SweetBeaker

[…] is an adorable, heartfelt craft! via paper n […]

Unravel Love | a silly muse

Love this! I have all the stuff already. Better get busy! 🙂

Tania Welch

Brilliant! I absolutely LOVE this idea! Thank you for sharing.

Julie
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