As Halloween approaches, libraries can make sure the crafters in their midst have plenty of creative, do-it-yourself ideas to help them “creep it real” throughout the month of October. To help them (and you) celebrate, we’ve curated our favorite Hobbies & Crafts Reference Center projects for quilters, needlecrafters, paper artists, woodworkers and more!
Each project includes a list of materials, patterns (if applicable), and step-by-step instructions. Printed copies can be placed on library makerspace tables or posted to bulletin boards. Libraries can also tell patrons about Hobbies & Crafts Reference Center using our Promotion Kit, which includes social media images and sample posts to share on your library’s Twitter and Facebook pages.
- Batroom Towel: Cross stitchers will love turning an otherwise plain white towel into a welcome “batroom” accessory for guests. (AN 117022100)
- Black-Tie Skeleton: Haunt passersby with the eerie sound of dry bones clickety-clacking in the wind. This black-tie skeleton — made of precut wood pieces, beads and dowels —can be hung on front doors (or at the library entrance) where it will clatter every time someone walks by. (AN 49390480)
- Greeting Cards and Gift Bags: Paper crafters will enjoy using card stock and stamps to create these adorable die-cut Halloween greeting cards and Trick or Treat gift bags — perfect for candy corn and other small goodies! (AN 116189322)
- Horseshoe Illuminated Pumpkins: Give ‘em pumpkin to talk about! In eight simple steps, crafters can create a clever Halloween display using six horseshoes spray-painted orange, heavy-duty mounting tape, green pipe cleaner, a battery-operated tealight candle and a glue gun. The finished product will look great at the library’s front entrance! (AN 125016130)
- Monster Cupcakes: Bakers and sugar crafters looking for a kid-friendly activity will have some frightfully good fun frosting these silly and scary monster cupcakes. It’s a good excuse to break out the candy eyeballs! (AN 117671209)
- Paranormal Placemat: Eat, drink and be scary! Quilters will enjoy putting their sewing machines (or the library’s) to good use. This patchwork placemat featuring Halloween embroidery will create a spooky dining experience. (AN 157512398)
- Pumpkin Alphicons: Scroll saw woodworkers will see these alphabet pattern carvings as a great starting point for any Halloween decoration imaginable. And these jack-o-lanterns are probably a lot easier — and less messy — to cut. (AN 136926772)
- Pumpkin Patch Brooch: Oh my gourd! Cross stitchers will love accessorizing their Halloween outfits with this adorable little pumpkin brooch adorned with beads. (AN 158710983)
- Spooky Delights Table Runner: The colors and flavors of Halloween can be the centerpiece of any home’s holiday décor. This spook-tacular candy corn and pumpkin table runner measures 16” x 38” when complete. (AN 137653105)
- Vampire Bat Linked Necklace. Jewelry makers with basic metal fabrication, chain construction and stone setting skills can make this fang-tastic pendant featuring a classic Halloween bat symbol. (AN 117200559)
- Witch’s Hat Cake: Cake decorators and sugar crafters can make Halloween hex-tra special for kids by building and carving this witch hat cake. The kids might even like to help! (AN 152756651)
- Wicked Witch Quilt: Inspired by the Wicked Witch of the East’s socks in “The Wizard of Oz,” this brew-tiful throw quilt features blocks of black, purple, orange and yellow triangles and squares — the perfect addition to a bed or sofa. (AN 158054117)
- Word Art: Woodworkers with a knack for handling a scroll saw can use these three eerie-sistable patterns to create freestanding wood art: “Boo” Ghost, “It’s Alive” Frankenstein, and “Trick or Treat.” (AN 136926768)
