The last time I stopped by the hardware store I made sure to pick up some washers to use as pattern weights. So far, I have have been making do using cans, cups, silverware, wooden play blocks, and anything else that I could easily get my hands on. You can buy pattern weights, but I loved having prettier weights at only the fraction of the cost.
These washers set me back only 40 cents a piece and when I asked on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram how I could pretty them up, I was deluged with suggestions.
- Leave them be!
- Nail polish
- Scrapbooking Paper + Diamond Glaze/ModPodge Dimensional Magic [tutorial]
- Contact Paper
- Stamping
- Fabric Yo-Yos
- Sew Daily’s Fabric Pattern Weights
- Fabric Bundles
- Wrap with Fabric Strips
- Wrap with Yarn
- Wrap with Ribbon
I detest glue and painting and yarn… so ribbon won out for me.
Have you used washers as pattern weights? Did you take the time to pretty them up? Which method would you choose?
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Those are super cute! I never thought about using washers as pattern weights, but now I need to go to the hardware store!
Brilliant! Pinning these immediatly.
Those are cute! I really need some pattern weights… I’ve been using an odd assortment of things that are lying around when I need the weights. Maybe I’ll copy yours! =)
Can I eat one? They look like candy 🙂 So fun! I have 4 pattern weights, but that is not enough. I will have to make some of these too! Great post!
I dipped my washers in the plastic coating that you use on tool handles and such. I raided hub’s shop for heavy washers and large nuts, washed them and let them air dry. I don’t remember the brand of coating (again from the shop). I need a few more. Thank you for reminding me!
I have never given pattern weights a try but these are too pretty to be ignored!! Or forgotten!! Thank you for the great idea!
I just pinned a tutorial to make the scrapbook and dimensional glaze for a pendant version! Now I have another use for them if I do!
Love these, especially since they are so pretty and simple. I have an extreme sewing aunt whose birthday is coming up soon. Looks like a good thing to add to her gift basket!
Thanks for linking to my post about the yarn option for these! I am a ribbon hoarder, so I may have to make some more!
Caitlin
{walker whimsy}
I bought pattern weights when notions were 50% off and they still cost me 7.50. On top of that, they aren’t big enough and they don’t hold the pattern with the steadiness and steadfastness of pinning. I think I’ll be making some pattern weights out of washers soon, then I can use more than the 6 I’ve got and they will be bigger!
Thanks for the great idea, Jodi!
Several of us who are taking sewing classes at PatternReview.com have been posting questions about where to find these weights. Can you share where you got them. Trips to Home Depot and Lowes have not been successful, so either we must go somewhere special or maybe we don’t know what to look for. Thanks much for any help!
These are from lowe’s near where they sell screws. These are 3/4″ washers. My lowe’s sold them individually, and for a a “box discount”.
Thanks.
I bought washers yesterday in a DIY store nearby (Nesodden, Norway) and lined them with wool. Nice! Question: how long does the ribbon have to be in order to cover the washer nicely?
I really don’t know. Sorry.
It varies based on several factors, but if you are up for the math, here’s how to get a pretty good estimate: 1) Wrap a tape measure around the weight as though it were the ribbon to get the length of one turn: Call this t. 2) Wrap a tape measure around the outside of the weight to get the circumference. Call this c 3) Note the width of ribbon that you plan to use. Call this w. 4) Compute the number of turns as 2c/w (allows for an overlap of half the width of the ribbon). Call this n. Now your estimated ribbon requirement will be tn. Allow a little extra just in case. I hope this helps.
I’ve just completed my weights today and looking forward to trying them on my next shirt.
Like many others I’ve glued to large steel washers together with hot glue. Unfortunately the glue seems to lose its tackiness quickly (effect of being sandwiched between two cold pieces of metal?) so I then put them on the oven at 250 for just a couple of minutes. The glue remelted and they melded together better.
Once cool I spray painted them with Plasti-dip – a rubberizing paint. Now one side of my washer weights cling REALLY well to the pattern paper and no more annoying slipping! Overlapping a few of them on both the pattern edge and the fabric is a sure way to keep everything aligned. They grab onto the fabric even better than the paper.
A lot of work but they are a perfect, simple, utilitarian device that does the job perfectly.
This is also a great idea for tablecloth weights! Simply add a few grommets to the edges/corners of the cloth and tie these on with additional ribbon. Can match the cloth beautifully. Thanks for the idea!
Fran, do the tablecloth weights work for outdoor dining? Do they keep the wind from picking up the tablecloth?