
DIY FABRIC WEIGHTS TUTORIAL
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- Large Flat washers 2 1/2″ diameter (3 washers for every weight you plan to make)
- Large Nuts 1 1/2″ diameter (Mine are 3/4″ tall – each nut makes one small pattern weight)
- Glue gun and glue sticks
- Strips of fabric or ribbon approximately 1″ wide
To make your large weights, squeeze some hot glue on the metal and place another weight on top of it.
You want the layer of glue to be somewhat even so that when you place the weight on top of it, the stack is relatively level.
Repeat so there are 3 large weights stacked with a layer of glue in between each one.
Be quick about stacking the washers! The cool metal makes the hot glue dry really fast!
Next, prepare your fabric scraps by cutting (or tearing) 1″ strips the width of the fabric on the crosswise grain. You can use ribbon, but using fabric is fun and a great way to use old fabric scraps!
Secure the edge of the fabric scrap with a bit of glue, and start wrapping around the washer. You’ll overlap the strips a bit so that the metal is fully covered. When you are done wrapping, cut your strip and secure the end with glue.
Wrapping the fabric isn’t just for looks! It’s a lot easier to grab a fabric weight than a metal washer. Because it’s easy to grab, you’re less likely to distort your pattern as you move your weights around.
*No need to stack the 1 1/2″ diameter nuts, you can skip to this step and wrap them with fabric.

This post was originally published in 2012. It has now been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
How clever…I'm going to have to make some myself! You have a wonderful blog…I'm your newest follower!
Marilyn
4you-withlove.blogspot.com
What a wonderful idea!
Smart smart smart!
Thanks for sharing!
My husband has taught me to warm items (with a blow dryer) before hot gluing them. It helps the hot glue work better. Maybe it would work with this project. Love the idea and I will be trying it this weekend!
Awesome idea! I always wanted these kind of weights but didn't want to spend money on them. Am definitely going to try these. Can you tell me what is the diameter of the bigger washers?
Awesome idea! I always wanted these kind of weights but didn't want to spend money on them. Am definitely going to try these. Can you tell me what is the diameter of the bigger washers?
Awesome idea! I always wanted these kind of weights but didn't want to spend money on them. Am definitely going to try these. Can you tell me what is the diameter of the bigger washers?
What an clever & awesome idea and I can hardly wait to make some! Thanks so much!
I will actually wrap the bolts in fabric and attach them to a clip. This will be my DIY tablecloth weights. Thank you for this awesome idea. I had no idea how I was going to make the bolts look pretty enough to hang off the table cloths.
I definitely want to try this out! Nice idea on your DIY fabric weights.