Welcome, crafty parents-to-be! Are you ready to add a personal touch to your nursery décor? In this step-by-step tutorial, we’ll guide you through creating a delightful custom DIY nursery mobile! I didn’t originally have plans to make Nolan’s mobile, but I just couldn’t find exactly what I wanted online… so here we are! Let’s gather our materials and get crafting! (P.S. I recommend reading through the entire tutorial prior to starting the project!)
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DIY Nursery Mobile – What You Need:
- Small stuffed or felt animals/figurines (according to your theme)
- Other stuffed/felt items (optional for extra cuteness!) – I used stuffed felt mushrooms and faux leaves
- Heavy string/twine
- One or two rings for top support (you can repurpose embroidery hoops or use wooden rings) – I used two rings for a two-tiered look, but you can absolutely use one for something more simple and easy to make
- Scissors
- Embroidery Needle and thread
- Hot glue gun (optional, for extra security)
DIY Nursery Mobile – How To:
Step 1: Choose Your Theme
Before diving into the crafting process, decide on the theme for your DIY nursery mobile. Whether it’s adorable animals, dreamy clouds, or whimsical woodland creatures (which is clearly what I did), pick a theme that reflects your style and complements your nursery décor.
Step 2: Prep Your Materials
Gather all your materials and lay them out on a clean, spacious work surface. (I’ve linked many of the materials I used here, but I also got some of the items at my local craft store!) Make sure your stuffed animals, mushrooms, and leaves are clean and in good condition. If you’re using new items, give them a quick once-over to remove any tags or loose threads.
Step 3: Assemble the Top Support
Now, take your two rings for the top support. If you’re using embroidery hoops, remove the inner hoops and keep only the outer rings. If you want to attach greenery to your top ring like I did, do this now with hot glue.
I then took 3 long strands of thread and strung them through a wooden bead. Knot your thread on each side of the bead. Arrange them in a triangle formation. Leave about 3-4 inches of string between the bead and the top ring. You’ll then knot each string around your top support, equidistant around the ring (i.e. split the ring into 3 equal sections). Dab hot glue on each knot where it meets the top ring for extra support.
Repeat this process for your second top ring if you create a two-tiered design. You can cut off any excess string at this time.
Step 4: Attach the Stuffed Animals
Take your heavy string and tie one end of each string securely to the stuffed animals, ensuring they’re evenly spaced out. (I decided to first sew small loops to the tops and bottoms of my stuffed animals prior to attaching them to the string, knowing I wanted to attach the stuffed animals to other items. But depending on what you’re using/your design, this may be unnecessary).
You can attach multiple items to one hanging piece, as I did, if you choose. For example, one hanging piece started with a stuffed animal, followed by a mushroom/leaf, and then a fabric bead.
Step 5: Attach the Strings to the Top Support
Once all of your hanging pieces are assembled, attach the top end of the strings to the top support rings. You can do this by tying them directly onto the rings where your knots for the top support are. Again, make sure the strings are evenly spaced around the rings to maintain balance.
Step 6: Test the Balance
Before proceeding further, hold up your mobile to check the balance. Make any necessary adjustments by trimming or repositioning the strings until the mobile hangs evenly.
Step 7: Add A Center Sting (Optional)
If you want to enhance the charm of your nursery mobile, consider adding a center string as well. You can do this by simply running a fourth thread up through the top of your bead and attaching a stuffed toy to the end of it.
Step 8: Hang and Enjoy!
Once you’re satisfied with the arrangement and balance of your nursery mobile, it’s time to hang it up! Find the perfect spot in your nursery, whether it’s above the crib, changing table, or cozy reading nook. Use a secure hook or ceiling anchor to hang your mobile, ensuring it’s safely out of reach of curious little hands.
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Step 9: Admire Your Handiwork
Stand back and admire your creation! Your custom nursery mobile is now ready to enchant and delight your sweet babe! I also love that this particular mobile can eventually be disassembled so Nolan can play with the animals once he is old enough!
I hope you enjoyed this DIY tutorial and found it easy to follow along. Feel free to get creative with different colors, textures, and shapes to make your DIY nursery mobile truly unique. What do you think – would you tackle a project like this?
If so… then happy crafting!
XO, Ana
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