DIY Network

Ribbon and Trim Center Keep spools organized with this snappy center. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-208

Keep ribbons and trims in easy, organized reach.

If your sewing space is cluttered with ribbons and trims—or if your spools are tucked away so neatly that you forget what you have—it's time to build Michele Beschen's ribbon and trim center. This easy-to-build tabletop organizer keeps your spools organized without hiding them away. You can even get what you need without moving the spools!

Don't let clutter get in the way of your creativity. Scroll down for Michele Beschen's B. Original how-to.

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Ribbon and Trim Center

Materials:

4" PVC pipe, 12" long
ruler/measureing tape
drill and 5/16" bit
4-1/2" hole saw
1x8 wood, 13" long
1/4" threaded rod, 26" long
(2) 1/4" nuts
(4) 1/4" fender washers, 2" wide
(2) 1/4" wing nuts

	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E

• At one end of the PVC pipe, measure and mark a point 2" from the end of the pipe.

• Make another mark directly opposite the first, also 2" from the end of the pipe.

• Use a 5/16" bit to drill a hole through each mark
  (figure A).

• Find the center of the 1x8 board. Use a 4-1/2" hole saw to cut a hole through the board at the center point (figure B).

  Note: PVC pipe is labeled according to its inside diameter. When you add the thickness of the pipe, a 4" pipe has an outside diameter of 4-1/2".

• Turn the PVC pipe on end, with the drilled end pointing up. Insert the bottom (undrilled) end of the pipe in the hole in the wood base until it's flush with the bottom of the base. If you like, you can sand down the wood circle you cut from the base and fit it into the bottom of the pipe before you screw it to the base.

• Use long screws to secure the pipe to the base (figure C). Pre-drill pilot holes from the edge of the wooden base into the PVC, then drive the screws. The wood will split if you don't pre-drill.
  
  
• Paint the pipe and base to your liking, or leave them bare.

• Slide the threaded rod through the holes in the PVC pipe and center it.

• Thread a 1/4"nut onto the rod on both sides of the PVC pipe and tighten them up against the pipe.

• Slide a 1/4" fender washer onto the threaded rod next to each nut. Now, you're ready to load up the rod with your spools of ribbon and trim!

• Once you've installed all the spools, cap each end of the rod with another fender washer and a 1/4" wing nut to keep the spools in place (figure D).

• Use a serrated knife to cut a piece of thick plastic foam, such as packing foam, to fit snugly into the top of the pipe. You can use hot glue to cover it with fabric to create a pincushion, or leave it bare as a great place to stab your scissors (figure E).