Yesterday I posted a few pictures of my most recent canning adventure, and you may recall that the jars had little baker’s twine bows tied on them. Well, when I decided I wanted to tie baker’s twine bows onto my jars, of course, I did not actually have any baker’s twine. So with the powers of Google and making do combined, I came up with this technique for making your own.
You may have seen this clever tutorial at the Frugal Crafter for making your own baker’s twine using cotton crochet thread and a permanent marker. Well, that’s great, but I didn’t have any fun permanent markers, so I moved on. Next, I stumbled upon this idea at Between the Lines to twist together two strands of colored embroidery floss, which I always have on hand.
Here’s how you do it. Tie two strands of embroidery floss together (not too long, maybe about two yards), and then tie one end to something like a door knob, a stair banister, or your big toe.
I liked the big toe method. If you use this method, you can make baker’s twine while you relax on your couch and catch up on So You Think You Can Dance. Totally recommended.
Anyway. I found that twisting the embroidery floss is all fine and great, but it tends to quickly untwist as soon as you let go. The solution I came up with is to water down some Elmer’s white glue and run your fingers along the twisted strand. You do not need to soak it, but you want the glue to help hold your twists in place. Let it dry for a few minutes, and then wrap your new baker’s twine up on to a bobbin or spool.
What I really like about this method is that you can pretty much make up any color combination you want. You can do a more traditional primary color with white.
 
Or, how about mixing it up? Like pink and green? Or yellow and lavender?
Fun, right? I wound my new baker’s twine up on the adorable and FREE (!) printable bobbins from Wild Olive. Go get em!
Comments + Project Love
Jacqueline says
I love this idea! I'm so going to try it out!
Amy {Polkadot Pear} says
Genius!! I don't know how to embroider yet havea stash of embroidery floss some how ; ) now I have a use for it!
Heidi says
OMG – this is the second thing I've found this week that made me say "Well, duh!" out loud. (The first was a way to style/curl hair that made both my neighbor and I say "I can't believe I've never done this.") I just ran out of red & white twine and was lamenting that my local store is out of it. Thankfully, I have MILES of embroidery floss. Great tip about
lizy b says
I have boxes and BOXES of embroidery floss that my husband rolls his eyes at and says "honey, do you really need all this?". Now I get to say "absolutely, I'm making bakery twine….so there."<br />Thanks!!!!!
Arlene says
Alexis, How Clever, it doesn't even look like embroidery floss. It really looks like bakery twine…. GENIUS! Oh, and love the toes….
{nifty thrifty things} says
Wow! This such a clever and easy idea! I am definitely gonna give this a go!! Thank you so much for sharing, Alexis! :)<br />xoxo,<br />Vanessa
CatNCart Craft says
Fabulous idea, I am going to try this ..<br />Thanks for sharing<br />Judy
Jenn says
Genius!The big toe method totally sounds like my style too! 🙂
Jenn Erickson says
Visiting from the party at Ladybird Lane. <br /><br />So, so cool…I didn't know you could make your own baker's twine! I'm so excited to check out those two links and try them out! I love the way you carded your handmade twine on those adorable bobbin printables too.<br /><br />So happy to have found your wonderful creative blog!<br /><br />Best,<br />Jenn/Rook No. 17
Mel the Crafty Scientist says
I LOVE this too! So cute and fun – down to the printable bobbins and realistic view of a crafting space! : )
ButterYum says
WHY in the WORLD haven't I ever thought about doing this? So great!!
Patti Veeraplin says
Awesome idea! Totally adding this to the to-try list this weekend!
A Momma says
That is hilarious! Your big toe…<br />Awesome idea, btw.