Inspired by this article on Treehugger.com, I decided to design some hangers that could be made by anyone and wouldn't need newspaper pulp, moulds or laser cutters.

The hangers are designed to hold a necklace in the middle and have recesses at either end to hold dresses and tops. You could also add features to hold trousers or ties.

This is my entry into the Gorilla Glue Cardboard Contest.

Step 1: Outline Your Hangers

Find an appropriately sized piece of double layer cardboard. The piece I used measured 200mm x 360mm. This would be suitable for child's or lady's hangers, it's not quite wide enough for my t-shirts.

Mark the middle with a line. Butt a piece of paper up to that line then draw your hanger shape. You could just go straight ahead and draw your hanger freestyle, but I'm rubbish at drawing symmetrically so I used this piece of paper, cut it out, drew around it then flipped it over.

Add the hanger's hook above the centre line. Be sure to make it wide enough to fit on your clothes rail. Don't worry about it being too thin, this card is pretty strong!

Step 2: Cut Around the Hanger

For this I used a big strong Stanley knife for the long straightish bits and a scalpel for the corners. Take your time and try to keep the blade straight so you don't have slanted sides.

After the first one I drafted in my girlfriend to help me cut two more!

Step 3: Adding Functionality

As they are the hangers are pretty normal and boring. Adding extra functionality and some colour will personalise them nicely.

Here are some ideas for extra functions you can give your hangers:

Bits at the end to hang strappy tops (in pictures below)
A feature in the middle to hang a necklace off or a bag of smellies (in pictures)
A pair of slots in the middle to hang a tie on (in pictures)
A long slit in the middle to put a pair of trousers on
A straight length of wire underneath for hanging trousers on

The pictures below illustrate how I added recesses at the ends of the hanger to hang dresses or tops with straps and a cut-out in the middle to hang a necklace on.

I first brought back in my template from the beginning and free hand drew a nice curvy recess. This I cut out from the paper with scissors then drew around on either side of the hanger.

Next I drew a circle in the middle with a compass then drew a freehand sine wave as the hook.

I then cut both of these out.

Step 4: Adding Colour

To give some colour (not color) to the hangers I chose to use some tissue paper. I sent Jess (my girlfriend) off to the shops to find some she liked. She came back with some silver and pink tissue paper with foil butterflies and flowers. These were 1.50 GBP each for 3 sheets and should be enough to make 6 hangers per pack of paper.

I used spray on glue to coat the cardboard in an even layer of glue. I chose spray glue as opposed to PVA as I thought PVA might wrinkle the tissue paper. On the other hand, spray glue might leave a sticky residue on your clothes. It's your choice.

Allow the glue to go slightly tacky then turn the hanger over and press down on to a sheet of tissue paper.

Allow 20 minutes to dry otherwise the tissue paper will be damp and may rip while you're trimming around the edges. If unlike me you are patient enough to wait that long, trim around the edges with a sharp knife.

Turn the hanger over and do the same for the other side!

See the next step for pictures of the hangers in use and photos of other peoples hangers.

Step 5: The Finished Hanger

Here are some pictures of the finished product up close and also in use.

If anyone else makes this, please post pictures and I'll include them in this step. With credit given of course.

Participated in the
Gorilla Glue Cardboard Contest

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23 Comments

PrasadiS

1 year ago on Step 2

Any machines available now to make such a hanger out of cardboard

socca_grl101

13 years ago on Introduction

I made some of these and now my closet looks pretty!

jojo_222

10 years ago on Introduction

can't believe my boyfriend just ripped up loads of cardboard to put in the recycling! when i get some more, i may glue two bits of card together to make sure they're strong enough. i like the idea of adding colour paper.

oh, just noticed i'm several years late commenting on this instructable!

bethmwl

7 years ago on Introduction

Excellent. I have some clothes that always fall off the store bought hangers. I can custom make some just for those clothes. Thanks for the ible!

Kryptonite

12 years ago on Introduction

I'd make some because I'm always out of coat hangers, but my step mum wouldn't like it because "you could have just bought it for $3 down at the store!"

Meggz

13 years ago on Introduction

yeah that sounds awesome adding a touch of nature...you may be able to impregnate (or otherwise scent them) with essential oil to add another dimension to their appeal. absolutely luv them!

Sunbanks

13 years ago on Introduction

Great job! I never have enough clothes hangers but I have lots of cardboard boxes :D

Ninzerbean

13 years ago on Introduction

Brilliant! When my clothes look beautiful I feel beautiful - even if they are just hanging with care in my closet and I get to pick out my fav shirt or pants, plus your answer to vloeivbeer cracks me up to no end. Great photos too.