Create a Custom Decorative Doorstop: A DIY Guide to Fabric-Covered Bricks

Tired of your doors slamming shut with every gentle breeze? Do you wish your home decor could extend to every corner, even to functional items like doorstops? This comprehensive guide will show you exactly how to transform a simple brick into a stylish, decorative doorstop that perfectly complements your room’s aesthetic. Forget store-bought doorstops that clash with your carefully chosen color schemes; with a little creativity and some basic supplies, you can craft a personalized solution that’s both practical and beautiful.

The inspiration for this charming DIY project comes from a cherished memory: my mother-in-law, a true needle arts enthusiast, adorned her home with exquisite needlepoint brick doorstops in every room. Each one was unique, featuring everything from intricate floral motifs to delicate butterflies and even her initials. This personal touch proved that even a utilitarian item could become a statement piece. It sparked the idea that anyone could create a custom doorstop to match their interior design, adding a pop of coordinating color in an unexpected yet delightful way.

A decorative doorstop offers more than just functionality; it’s an opportunity to infuse your personal style into your living space. The beauty of this DIY project lies in its flexibility. There’s no single “right” way to make a fabric-covered brick doorstop. You can experiment with different materials, patterns, and techniques to achieve a look that’s uniquely yours. For instance, I created two distinct doorstops: one featuring intricately woven fabric scraps in green and cream, and another crafted from a collection of white and black ribbons from my personal stash. Both methods are straightforward, and I’ll guide you through each one, giving you a clear overview of the options. Perhaps you’ll even discover an even better way to make yours!

While weaving offers a textured, artisanal finish, you could also opt for a simpler approach. Imagine wrapping a brick “gift wrap” style with a beautiful piece of fabric, adding a few elegant embellishments, and instantly having a chic, custom doorstop. The possibilities for customization are truly endless, allowing you to match any room’s color scheme or theme perfectly. This project is ideal for using up fabric scraps, ribbons, or even old clothing, making it an eco-friendly craft as well.

Essential Supplies for Your DIY Doorstop Project

Gathering your materials is the first step towards creating your personalized doorstop. Most of these items can be found in your crafting cabinet or at a local craft store. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Brick: A standard-sized brick works best. Ensure it’s clean and free of loose debris.
• Pattern Template: You’ll need a specific pattern to ensure your fabric or ribbon cover fits perfectly. Download the PDF template here and print it out at 100% scale for accurate sizing.
• Scrap Fabric or Ribbons: Approximately 1/4 yard of fabric or a collection of ribbon pieces. For weaving, aim for strips about 15 inches long for horizontal weaving and 11 inches for vertical weaving. This is a fantastic opportunity to use up leftover fabric or ribbon scraps from previous projects!
• Liner Fabric: A coordinating fabric, cut to the same size as your template, will provide a clean finish and added durability.
• Felt: A piece of felt measuring approximately 3 1/2 inches x 8 inches for the bottom of the doorstop. This protects your floors and prevents slipping.
• Scissors: Sharp fabric scissors are essential for clean cuts.
• Adhesives:
  • Hot Glue Gun and Hot Glue Sticks: Excellent for quick, strong bonds.
  • Spray Adhesive: Useful for larger surfaces and creating a tacky bond before final placement.
  • Tacky Glue: A reliable all-purpose craft glue, great for attaching felt.
  • Heat N’ Bond Iron-On Adhesive: (Optional but recommended for ribbon weaving) This helps fuse woven materials to your liner fabric, creating a stable panel.
• Iron: Necessary if using Heat N’ Bond or for pressing fabric strips.
• Work Surface: A piece of corrugated cardboard or a large pad of paper to pin your weaving onto. A Homosote board also works well if you have one.
• Optional: Water-Based Polyurethane and Paint Brush: For an added layer of protection, especially if your doorstop will be in a high-traffic area or a bathroom, making it waterproof and wipeable.

Method 1: How to Weave Ribbon Over a Brick to Make a Decorative Doorstop

This method utilizes an assortment of ribbons to create a beautifully textured and unique doorstop. It’s perfect for using up those leftover ribbon pieces you’ve collected!

Begin by laying out your collection of scrap ribbons. Don’t be afraid to mix different types, widths, and textures – this will add character to your finished doorstop.

Step-by-Step Ribbon Weaving Instructions:

1. Prepare Your Work Surface and Pattern: First, ensure you’ve printed your pattern template at 100% scale. Lay this pattern flat on your chosen work surface (a piece of Homosote, corrugated cardboard, or a thick artist’s pad). This surface needs to be something you can easily pin into.
2. Arrange Vertical Ribbons: Start by laying down your vertical ribbons, keeping them within the lines of the printed pattern. Pin both the top and bottom ends of each vertical ribbon securely to your board. If your ribbons are slightly too short, don’t extend them past the pattern lines; instead, overlap them slightly in the center. This technique will help maintain neat outer edges when you proceed to wrap the brick, eliminating the need for excessive trimming.
3. Begin Horizontal Weaving: Now, begin weaving your horizontal ribbons through the pinned vertical strips. Alternate over and under patterns for a classic weave. As you complete each horizontal ribbon, pin it firmly in place to prevent shifting. Continue this process until the entire pattern area is covered with your woven ribbons.
4. Check Ribbon Orientation (for single-sided ribbons): If you are using any ribbons that have a distinct “right” and “wrong” side (like the faux cowhide ribbon shown in the example), ensure you flip them over before adhering so the desired side will face outwards once the cover is finished. The “wrong” side should be facing upwards during the weaving process.
5. Secure and Straighten Weave: Once all your ribbons are woven, take a moment to carefully adjust them. Ensure they are all fitted nicely together, lying straight, and creating a cohesive pattern. Once satisfied, carefully remove all the pins from your woven ribbon panel.
6. Apply Iron-On Adhesive: Cut a piece of Heat N’ Bond Iron-On Adhesive to a size that fully covers your woven ribbon panel. Place the adhesive, paper-side up, over the ribbons and use a hot iron to press it firmly. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for optimal adhesion. This step is crucial for stabilizing your woven piece.
7. Remove Paper Backing: Allow the Heat N’ Bond to cool completely. Once cool, carefully peel away the paper backing, exposing the adhesive layer underneath.
8. Adhere Liner Fabric: Place your chosen liner fabric directly on top of the exposed adhesive side of the woven ribbons. Use your iron to press the liner fabric onto the ribbons, creating a unified and sturdy fabric panel.
9. Prepare for Wrapping: Flip the entire panel over to reveal the right side of your woven ribbons. This is where you’ll see the design you’ve created! (Note: if you forgot to flip single-sided ribbons earlier, they should now be facing correctly). Center your brick onto the woven fabric, aligning it with the pattern’s boundaries. Then, carefully cut the ribbon/fabric panel following the lines of your template. You should have approximately 1/2 inch of excess fabric around the perimeter; this will be used to create neat, finished edges. At each corner, make a small diagonal cut towards the corner of the brick to reduce bulk.
10. Wrap and Glue the Main Body: Carefully wrap the prepared fabric panel around the brick. Start by securing the long sides. Apply hot glue along the edges of the brick and firmly press the fabric onto it. You may need to hold the fabric in place for a short while until the glue cools and sets, especially if the hot glue doesn’t immediately adhere perfectly. Alternatively, a strong spray adhesive can be used for a more uniform and quicker bond.
11. Finish the Ends: Trim the fabric ends as shown in the visual guide, creating neat flaps. Apply glue to these flaps and carefully wrap them around the short edges of the brick, smoothing them down to create a clean finish.
12. Fold and Secure Excess Fabric: Take the remaining excess fabric on the sides and fold it neatly along the line of the brick. Use your fingers to create a crisp crease. Apply glue along this fold and press it onto the exposed side of the brick, covering any raw edges. Repeat this process on the opposite side, ensuring all edges are neatly tucked and secured.
13. Attach Felt Bottom: To provide a soft, non-scratch surface for your doorstop and to conceal any raw edges on the bottom, use Tacky Glue to attach the pre-cut piece of felt to the base of the brick. Ensure it’s centered and smoothly adhered.

Congratulations! You now have a perfectly coordinated decorative doorstop, ready to prevent slamming doors and add a touch of handmade elegance to your guest room or any other space. Enjoy the beauty and functionality of your new creation.

Method 2: Crafting a Fabric-Covered Brick Doorstop with Woven Fabric Strips

If your craft stash is brimming with fabric scraps rather than ribbons, this method is perfect for you! You can easily create your own fabric strips to weave into a beautiful and robust doorstop cover.

Making Your Fabric Strips:

For this technique, I previously created a batch of fabric strips for a waste can transformation project. If you’ve got similar leftover fabric, you’re ahead of the game! To give the fabric strips a bit more body and make them easier to weave, a light application of spray starch and ironing is recommended.

1. Cut and Press Fabric Strips: Begin by cutting your fabric into strips approximately 2 1/2 inches wide. Lay each strip face down on your ironing board. Carefully press the raw edges of the fabric into the center of the strip, creating clean, folded edges. Use a good spray starch to help achieve crisp creases, which will make weaving much easier. This method creates a finished look without needing to hem the edges.
2. Weave the Fabric Strips: Following the same principles as the ribbon weaving method (Steps 1-4 above), arrange your prepared fabric strips on your pattern template. Pin the vertical strips, then weave the horizontal strips, ensuring a neat and tight pattern.
3. Prepare for Adhesion (No Heat N’ Bond): Since this method might not use Heat N’ Bond, a different approach to securing the weave is needed. After weaving, carefully remove the pins. Use a piece of cardboard placed over your woven fabric panel to help you flip the entire woven piece over. This prevents the strips from unraveling.
4. Apply Spray Adhesive: Now, the back side of your woven strips should be facing upwards. Generously spray spray adhesive all over this surface, allowing it to become tacky. Simultaneously, spray the brick with spray adhesive as well.



Helpful Tip:

To ensure the strongest possible bond with spray glue, always apply a light, even coat to both surfaces you intend to join. Allow both surfaces to become slightly tacky before carefully pressing them together. This creates a much more durable adhesion than spraying just one side.

5. Center the Brick: Carefully place the brick onto the center of the tacky, woven fabric panel.
6. Wrap the Long Sides: Begin wrapping the long sides of the woven fabric around the brick, pulling the fabric taut as you go to ensure a smooth, tight fit. Smooth the fabric down with your hands. The fabric strips on the short sides might appear a bit jumbled; carefully wrap the strips closest to the brick around the sides first, then gently spread out the remaining strips with your fingers to create an even coverage. Your hands will likely become a little tacky from the spray glue, which is normal.
7. Fold Side Edges: Neatly fold the side edges of the fabric over the short ends of the brick, as illustrated. These folded sections should extend to cover the full width of the brick’s ends.

The goal is for them to look like this, covering the full width of the brick’s end.

8. Finish the Bottom Edge: Repeat the folding process for what will become the bottom edge of your doorstop. Fold the fabric ends over. They should still be tacky from the spray adhesive. If not, apply a small amount of additional spray glue or Tacky Glue to ensure the fabric stays folded and adheres securely.

Apply a little more glue to this folded piece and then attach it firmly to the side of the brick. Repeat on the other side. Finally, just like the ribbon method, secure a piece of felt to the bottom of the doorstop using Tacky Glue for a soft, protective base.

Optional: Waterproofing for Durability

For added longevity and easy maintenance, especially if your doorstop will be placed in a bathroom or an area prone to moisture or dirt, consider applying a water-based polyurethane sealant. I had some leftover polyurethane from a staircase project, which worked perfectly for this purpose, making the doorstop waterproof and wipeable.

Simply place your covered brick on a foam plate or a protected surface. Pour the polyurethane directly onto the top of the brick. Use a paintbrush to evenly spread the sealant across all sides of the fabric-covered brick, ensuring thorough coverage. Allow it to dry completely, which typically takes about an hour. Apply a few more coats, allowing each to dry in between, until the fabric is fully sealed and protected. This step will make your doorstop durable, easy to clean with just water, and ready to serve its purpose beautifully in any room, like my newly re-done bathroom.

Conclusion: Your Stylish, Functional, and Personalized Doorstop Awaits!

You’ve now learned how to create a beautiful and functional decorative doorstop from a humble brick, using either ribbons or fabric scraps. This DIY project is a fantastic way to add a custom touch to your home decor, solve the common problem of slamming doors, and even reduce waste by repurposing materials. The satisfaction of crafting something both useful and aesthetically pleasing is immense.

Whether you chose the intricate ribbon weave or the charming fabric strip method, your new doorstop is a testament to your creativity and personal style. It’s a small detail that makes a big difference, keeping your doors in place while enhancing the overall look of your room. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different patterns, colors, and textures to make each doorstop truly unique. We encourage you to look around your home for other opportunities to transform everyday items into decorative accents.

Have you embarked on any creative home decor projects using scraps and leftovers recently? Share your ideas and inspire others!

Explore More DIY Decorating Ideas:

• Combatting Winter Drafts with a DIY Draft Stopper
• Insta-Style: Quick & Easy Door Stop Ideas
• Creative Home Decorating Ideas Using Repurposed Doorknobs