I have always known that I wanted to do special named hangers for myself and my bridesmaids. Not always as in, since I was a little child, all I dreamed of was hangers. Not exactly, but ever since I saw them in wedding pictures, I knew that I wanted to have them at my wedding. I just think that they make for beautiful pictures.
Image Source
Image source
Now, I wanted to make mine just a tad different from the norm. I wanted mine to be – you guessed it – nautical.
So, instead of wire names, I wanted them to be written in rope. And the process was actually pretty simple.
I got two packs of five hangers for $2.99 each from TJ Maxx. I got plain white wooden hangers.
I used 18 gauge wire (that I actually already owned but you can find it here) and bent it with my bare hands to form names. I actually did a whole set in plain wire before deciding to jazz it up.
So, I cut an arm’s length of wire for each hanger and a piece of clothesline rope the same length. This rope has a cotton core (it’s green) so I gently pulled it out with my fingers. This left me with the hollow “shell” of a rope.
Then I threaded the wire into the shell. Be careful not to poke it through the rope.
Then I bent it into name shapes. Some names (ahem, Anne) were easier than others (Kathryn – why must you have a K and a Y? So tricky. Much challenge.) I just didn’t sweat it since I had tons of wire and rope and redid a few of them.
I hand wrote the name in cursive on a piece of paper and sort of “traced” that with wire, but it was mostly freehand. I used pliers on the tight bends (i’s, t’s, y’s, etc) but mostly just used my fingers.
Finally, Sean used a small drill bit to drill holes in each hanger. I added hot glue and the wire ends and laid them flat to dry.
These were actually really pretty quick and easy, and cheap since I already had wire and rope and glue – and the rope is just enough to be coastal without over the top seashells or netting or anything. I love it!
I guess these are technically a gift – the girls get to keep them – but they were really a gift for myself, for my pictures. I am planning to have them hanging in the room the day of the wedding ready for their dresses!
Did you make or buy fancy hangers?
Hello, I’m Morgan, half of the creative force behind CharlestonCrafted.com! With a passion for DIY that dates back to 2012, I’ve transformed three homes and now I’m dedicated to helping others craft their dream spaces. Let’s turn your house into a home together!