How to Make a Decorative Doorstop

I was going to title this post –

How to Make Something Decorative Out of Nothing

but it was too long. Long or not, it was exactly what I did to make a decorative doorstop for the bathroom. I liked it so much, I made another for my guest room.  I didn’t have to buy one thing to make either of these. I kind of challenged myself to see if I could use up some scraps and leftovers instead of buying new supplies.  With thoughts of moving in the back of my mind, I am also looking at cleaning out everything.  I am trying to get a jump start so if we do move, I won’t be so overwhelmed with things I will need to do.

I love the windows in my house to be open as much as possible, but the doors don’t like it – they slam shut if there is nothing to stop them when a breeze blows in.   Problem solved with the added detail of a decorative doorstop.

I got the idea to make doorstops out of bricks from something my mother- in-law had in her home. She was into needle arts and had these needlepoint brick doorstops in every room. This one has a floral motif, but there was one with a butterfly and another with her initials.

A decorative doorstop is not only functional but a way to spread a pop of coordinating color to an unexpected place.  Here are the two I made using the above one as a guide. I wove fabric scraps on the green and cream one and scraps of white and black ribbons from my stash.

It pays not to throw scraps out! I save them all so I can do projects like this. I didn’t even have to buy the bricks – just went to my patio and removed two that used to be exposed, but are now covered with ivy and no longer needed.  I was determined not to have to run to Lowes or the craft store for anything – and I succeeded.

There is no right or wrong way to make these doorstops. I made each one a bit differently and will show you both ways to give you an overview of the options.  You may even have a better way.  I chose to weave the scraps I had on hand to wrap around the brick, but you could just wrap a brick gift wrap style with fabric, add some embellishments if you like and call it a day.

supplies needed:

• Brick
• Pattern – make sure to print it out at 100% – Pdf download here
• Scrap fabric – 1/4 yard or less or  scrap ribbon pieces that are about
• 15” long for horizontal weave and 11” for vertical weaving.
• Liner fabric in a coordinating color cut to the same size as template
• Felt  – cut to  3 1/2” x 8”
• Scissors
• Hot Glue and glue gun or Spray Adhesive
• Tacky Glue
• Heat N’ Bond Iron-On Adhesive
• Iron
• Corrugated Cardboard or a large pad of paper to pin on
• Optional:  Water based Polyurethane and a paint brush

How to Weave Ribbon to Cover a Brick Doorstop

Here is my stash that I have collected – there are all different types and widths.

1. After printing out the pattern and making sure it is to size – lay it down on work surface. I have a piece of Homosote on my table that I am able to pin the ribbons down on.  You could use a piece of corrugated cardboard or a large artist pad of paper as your surface to pin to.  Lay the ribbons down in a way you like.  Keep the ribbons in the lines of the pattern. If they don’t quite fit, don’t extend past the lines, overlap them in the center.  This way when you get to the wrapping part you won’t have to cut the outer ribbons – it will  keep things neater.

2.  Pin all the vertical ribbons  – top and bottom to the board. Start weaving the horizontal ribbons and then pin them in place.  Continue weaving until the pattern is covered.

3. If you have any ribbons that are only one sided – like the cow fur you see here. Flip them over so the wrong side is up on each one.

4. Once you have woven all the ribbons make sure the ribbons are fitted nicely together and straight. Remove the pins.

5.  Cut a piece of Heat N’ Bond Iron On Adhesive to cover the ribbons. Use an iron to press it on.

6. Let it cool and then remove the paper backing exposing the adhesive.

7.  Lay fabric liner on top and press to adhere the ribbons to the fabric.

8. Flip over to the right side.  See the cow fur is now showing because I wove it in upside down.

9. Center brick on pattern.  Cut the ribbons/fabric following the lines on the pattern. You will have 1/2” all around to fold under to create finished edges.  Cut diagonally at each corner.

10.  Wrap the fabric around the brick and glue. Here I used hot glue, but it didn’t stick that well.  Eventually it did, but I had to hold the fabric to the brick until the glue was cool. You can use some spray adhesive if needed.

11.  Cut the ends as shown. Glue and wrap them around the edges of the brick.

12.  Fold over the excess fabric in line to the size of the brick . Make a crease along the fold with your fingers and then glue to cover exposed side of brick.  Repeat on other side.

13.  Use Tacky Glue to attach a piece of felt to the bottom.

Now I have a perfectly coordinated doorstop for my guest room.

How To Weave Fabric to Cover a Brick Doorstop

I made a bunch of fabric strips for the waste can I transformed in my last post.  I made extra and used some spray starch to stiffen them a bit to use for a doorstop.  I hardly ever iron and the fact that I had spray starch in the house is SHOCKING! It is probably from the 1990’s.

1. I cut the fabric strips about 2- 1/2” wide.  Lay them face down on your ironing board and then press the edges into the center.  Make sure you create nice creases.

2. I didn’t have any more Heat N’Bond to attach the fabric and strips.  Remember I was not going on a supply run – only to my supply cabinet.  All I had was spray adhesive – so that is what I used to put this doorstop together. I used hot glue to attach the liner fabric to the brick. I glued fabric to fabric as well as to the brick itself.

3. Weave the strips on top of the pattern as shown (following the black and white ribbon directions above).

4. Since there is no Heat N’Bond adhered to keep the woven fabric together, I used a piece of cardboard to help me flip the woven strips over.

5.  The back side of the strips is now facing up.  I sprayed spray glue all over this side and let it get tacky. I also sprayed the brick.

To get the best adhesion with spray glue always spray both surfaces and let them get tacky – then attach them.

6. Place brick on the center.

7.  Wrap around the long side of the brick first making sure to pull tight. Smooth with your hands.  The sides will be a bit jumbled up, wrap the strips closest to the brick around the sides. Spread the others out with your fingers as shown.  Your hands will be a little tacky from touching the fabric with the spray glue on it.

8.  Fold the side edges over as shown

So they look like this- as wide as the brick.

9.  Do the same to what will become the bottom edge.  Fold the ends over – they should still be tacky.   If not you can add another little shot of spray glue or some tacky glue so the fabric stays folded and adheres.

Spray a little more glue on this piece and then attach to the side of the brick. Repeat on other side.  Add a piece of felt to the bottom.

Optional:  I had a little bit of the poly left from my staircase project.  Since this doorstop is in the bathroom, I wanted to make it waterproof and wipe-able if it gets dirty.

I put the brick on a foam plate and just poured the poly on top of the brick.  I used a paint brush to spread it out evenly and on all sides.

It was dry in about an hour. I added a few more coats until the fabric was truly covered.  Now it is cleanable with water. It’s now serving its purpose in my newly re-done bathroom.

Have you made anything with scraps and leftovers lately?