Concealing The Coat Hanger: Creative Ways To Disguise The Ordinary

Covering a coat hanger is a fun and creative way to elevate your closet space. It's an easy DIY project that can be done by anyone, regardless of their crafting experience. All you need are some basic supplies like fabric, yarn, or crochet, and you can transform those plain wire hangers into something beautiful and functional. You can add your personal touch with colours, patterns, and decorative elements that reflect your unique style. Whether you're a beginner sewer or an expert knitter, there are endless possibilities to explore. So, get ready to give your wardrobe a stylish makeover with these coat hanger covers!

Using fabric

Materials:

• Wooden or plastic coat hanger
• Thick polyester wadding (available at craft stores)
• Fabric of your choice (consider the type of fabric and its colour/pattern)
• Narrow ribbon (optional)
• Button or other decorative elements (optional)
• Glue
• Sewing needle and thread

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Hanger

Start by wrapping the hanger with the polyester wadding. This will create a soft padding that protects your clothes. Secure the wadding to the hanger with glue or rubber bands.

Step 2: Cut the Fabric

Place the padded hanger on a piece of newspaper and draw its outline, adding about 3 cm all around. Cut out this paper pattern. Now, take your fabric and fold it with the wrong sides facing each other. Pin the paper pattern on top and cut out four pieces of fabric using this template.

Step 3: Sew the Fabric Cover

With the wrong sides together, stitch two pieces of fabric together along the edges, leaving the central edge open. Repeat this for the other two pieces. Turn them inside out and slip them onto the padded hanger, ensuring a smooth fit. Stitch the raw edges at the centre to create a neat fit around the hook.

Step 4: Embellish (Optional)

Wrap a ribbon around the base of the hook, tying it over the seam. You can also add a decorative button or other embellishments.

Tips and Variations:

• Scent your hangers by adding a few drops of essential oil to the padding or including small sachets of dried lavender.
• Use paint markers to personalise wooden hangers with names or designs.
• Avoid decorative elements with sharp edges or metalwork that could snag your clothes.
• Polyester batting is preferred over cotton as it won't absorb moisture from drying garments.
• For a simpler project, crochet or knit a "sleeve" to fit over the hanger.

Using knitting

Covering a coat hanger with knitting is a great way to make something quick and easy for a church fair or as a gift for friends and family. It is also a good way to stop silky blouses from falling off hangers and onto the floor. Here is a guide on how to do it:

Firstly, you will need to gather your materials. For a plastic coat hanger, you will need one hanger. For a wire coat hanger, you will need two matching hangers and some tape to stick them together. You will also need a roll of masking or Scotch tape, two colours of heavy rug yarn, and a yarn needle.

If you are using wire coat hangers, tape the two hangers together, making sure they are the same shape and size. Wrap small lengths of tape around the hangers in several spots. You will be covering the taped areas with yarn, so you won't need to remove the tape as you work.

Next, tie the two colours of rug yarn together in a knot, leaving about an inch and a half of yarn at the other side of the knot. Position the knot at the end of the coat hanger hook and secure it by taping the 'tail' ends onto the hook.

Hold the coat hanger on your lap, with the hook pointing towards your feet. Hold the two balls of rug yarn on your lap, one on each side of the coat hanger. Pick up one ball and loop the yarn around the hook of the coat hanger. Then, pull the ball of yarn through the loop you made, forming a knot around the coat hanger. Repeat this four more times with the one colour. Then, pick up the other ball of yarn and repeat, making the loop and the knot in the opposite direction. Again, repeat four more times. You will now have a stripe of one colour of yarn, with the knotted edge facing towards one side of the hanger, and a second stripe of the other colour of yarn, with the knotted edge facing the other side of the hanger.

Repeat this process, making five knots per colour, until you get to the bottom of the hooked part of the hanger. Then, continue the process down one side of the hanger, around the bottom, and up the other side of the hanger until you reach the bottom of the hooked part again.

When the hanger is completely covered, wrap the loose ends of yarn around the base of the hook in either direction, knotting it securely in the front. You can then cut the ends of the yarn and tie a bow, or make a pom-pom out of the same yarn and attach it with the cut ends, using the yarn needle.

If you want to add some extra padding to your hanger, you can cover the hanger with a thin layer of foam, toy sheet wadding, or quilt batting. Mark the centre of the piece of foam and push the hook of the hanger through this point. Push the foam down the hook so that it lies along the top edge of the hanger. Thread a needle with double cotton and draw both edges of the foam over the coat hanger, sewing them together along the bottom edge and then at the ends. Trim the foam if you need to so that the edges just meet; try not to overlap the foam as this will make it too bulky.

You can also add some dried lavender to your hanger for a fragrant touch.

Using crochet

Covering a coat hanger using crochet is a fun and easy project that can be done by anyone with basic crochet knowledge. It is a great way to add a personal touch to your wardrobe and protect your clothes from snags and holes. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to create a crochet cover for a coat hanger:

Materials Needed:

• Crochet hook (size G or 4 mm)
• Yarn (scraps can be used); double yarn if using thinner yarn
• Scissors
• Masking tape (if covering wire hangers)
• Wooden or wire coat hanger

Steps to Make a Crochet Coat Hanger:

• Prepare the Hanger: If you are using wire hangers, tape two or three hangers together at the neck and the base using masking tape. This adds strength to the hanger, especially if you plan to hang heavy items. For wooden hangers, ensure you have a simple wooden hanger without the straight trouser-draping bar at the bottom.
• Create a Starting Chain: Measure the width of the hanger by wrapping the yarn around it. Add a few extra centimetres to this measurement and cut the yarn. Tie a slip knot at one end and slip it onto the crochet hook. Create a chain stitch by holding the yarn at the back of the hanger, hooking the yarn, and pulling it through the loop. Chain stitch until you reach the desired length.
• Single Crochet Stitch: Skip the first chain space. Insert the hook into the next chain space, hook the yarn, and pull it back through the loop, creating two loops on the hook. Hook the yarn again and pull it through both loops, leaving only one loop on the hook. Repeat this single crochet stitch in each of the next chain spaces.
• Create a Hole for the Hanger Hook: Skip a chain space to create a hole for the hanger's hook. Continue to single crochet stitch in the remaining chain spaces.
• Join the Ends: To join the ends of the crochet cover, make a single crochet stitch in the back loop of the first chain stitch. Continue to single crochet in the back loop of each chain space.
• Secure the Cover: Position the crochet cover around the hanger, ensuring the wire hook matches up with the hole. Use a yarn needle to sew the two edges of the cover together. You can also crochet the edges together by creating a row of double crochet stitches along the bottom edge.
• Embellish: Add decorations such as beads, ribbons, bows, or crochet flowers to dress up your hanger. You can also add a row of shells along the bottom edge by making five double crochet stitches in every fifth crochet space.

Tips and Tricks:

• Use colourful yarn or add stripes to make your hanger cover vibrant and unique.
• Experiment with different stitches like the Alpine Stitch or Tunisian Crochet for added texture.
• Crochet hanger covers make great gifts and are perfect for using up yarn scraps.
• For wire hangers, crochet the yarn directly onto the hanger by looping the yarn around the hanger and hooking it with the crochet yarn.

Covering a coat hanger with crochet is a simple and enjoyable project that allows you to express your creativity. It is a great way to protect your clothes and add a personalised touch to your wardrobe.

Using lace, ribbons and trim

Using lace, ribbons, and trim is a great way to cover a coat hanger. This method is perfect for updating plastic hangers and preventing clothes from sliding off. You can use eyelet or lace trim wrapped around plastic hangers and finish it off with a bow tied at the neck. You can also use fabric scraps, satin ribbon, and dried lavender to transform your hangers.

To begin, cut a piece of fabric that is about 20 x 22 inches (50 x 56 cm). You will need a fat quarter of quilting fabric for the cover and a scrap of coordinating fabric for any flowers or decorations you want to add. Cut the fabric for the cover by laying it out and placing the coat hanger on top. Cut around the hanger, leaving a 1/4 inch seam allowance on the sides and top, and 2 inches at the bottom. Cut two pieces for the front and back of the cover.

Next, overlock the top and bottom edges of the front and back of the cover. Pin the front and back pieces together with right sides facing and stitch them together along the ends and angled sides, using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Overlock these edges as well. Turn the cover right side out and press it. Turn under 1/4 inch along the top opening and press again.

Now it's time to add your lace, ribbons, and trim! Pin your chosen trim along the bottom (open) edge and stitch it in place. Press the trim so that it sits flat against the cover. If you're using lace, you can even source it from vintage fabrics for an extra special touch.

If you want to add a flower like the one in the example, trace a 3-inch-diameter circle onto a piece of card. Cut a circle from your coordinating fabric that is slightly larger (3 3/4 inches in diameter). Moisten the edge of the fabric circle with spray starch and use the card as a template to press and create a circle with turned-under edges for the appliqué. Cut flower shapes from felt and layer them, stitching them onto the centre of your fabric circle. Pin and hand-stitch the flower appliqué to the centre of the coat hanger cover.

Finally, cut a length of plastic tubing and cover the top of the hanger to give it a more polished look. Your lace, ribbon, and trim-covered coat hanger is now ready to use!

Using yarn

Covering a coat hanger with yarn is a fun and easy way to spice up your hangers and prevent your clothes from slipping off. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Preparation:

First, gather your materials. You will need a coat hanger (wire or plastic), yarn in your desired colour(s), and optionally, some tape and a yarn needle. If you are using a wire coat hanger, you will need two hangers that match exactly in shape and size. You will also need some scissors.

Instructions:

• If you are using wire coat hangers, start by taping the two hangers together. Ensure that they are aligned properly and secure them by wrapping small pieces of tape around the hangers at different spots. You can cover the taped areas with yarn later.
• For plastic hangers, you can use a single hanger as is.
• Cut a length of yarn and fold it in half. Place the folded middle of the yarn underneath the 'shoulder' of the hanger.
• Bring both ends of the yarn up through the hanger and then down through the loop. Pull the knot as tight as you can. This is called a lark's head knot, often used in macrame.
• Separate the two strands of yarn, placing one underneath and one over the top of the hanger.
• Bring the ends of the yarn down behind the hanger, leaving a loop at the top.
• Bring the yarn ends up through the hanger and down through the loop, creating another half hitch knot. Pull the knot tight.
• Repeat this process, making sure each knot is tight and snug against the previous one.
• When you reach the end of the hanger (before the straight section), separate the two yarns and tie a reef knot, pulling the ends firmly.
• Apply a small amount of superglue or clear nail polish to the knot and allow it to dry.
• Cut off any excess yarn near the knot and twist the knot so that it sits on the inside of the hanger's bend.
• Repeat the process on the other side of the hanger.

Additional Tips:

• You can use different colours of yarn to create stripes or other patterns on your hanger.
• If you are using multiple colours, remember to leave a tail of about 1.5 inches when switching colours, and secure the new colour with a knot and tape.
• For wire hangers, you can cover the entire hanger, including the hook, by continuing the process down one side of the hanger, around the bottom, and up the other side.
• To finish, wrap the loose ends of yarn around the base of the hook and knot securely. You can cut the ends and tie a bow, or make a pom-pom with the same yarn and attach it to the hook using the yarn needle.
• For plastic hangers, you may want to avoid covering the entire hanger, as the yarn may slip off the end of the hook.

Now you have a stylish and functional yarn-covered coat hanger!

Frequently asked questions