How to make a Faux Iron Gate from Paper Tubes!
And you have one guess as to what it is made from….
Well, if you are familiar with The Sitcom at all, then you probably already know that you are looking at a whole bunch of toilet paper tubes! This time I was inspired by a photo of an old rusted iron gate, and I just had to pull out all those toilet paper tubes and recreate it.
I was inspired by a photo of an old iron gate, so I wanted to not only try to recreate it, but I wanted it to look rusty and old. The final project measures 19″ wide, by 28″ tall.
For this project I used:
Approximately 30 toilet paper tubes
Approximately 10 paper towel tubes
Four lengths of 3/8″ x 21″ balsa wood
Aleene’s Tacky Glue
Brown Textured Krylon Paint
Scrap Cardboard
I began by cutting my 3/8″ balsa wood into 4 ea. 21″ long pieces. These are the main frame of the piece and help to keep it sturdy. Although once all the cardboard is glued together, you’ll be surprised at how sturdy the whole piece will get. I used my graph board to line everything up, each gate being 6″ wide.
I cut two pieces of cardboard 6″ wide x 3″ tall for the base of each gate, glueing everything together with tacky glue.
I used tacky glue for this project for two reasons. It bonds quickly and makes for a super strong finished project, and it does not leave all the messy strings of hot glue. It is awesome for paper projects such as these.
As for the design of the gate, I just went with what looked good to me, cutting the toilet paper tubes once lengthwise, and then cutting them into 3/8″ strips horizontally. Those strips can be easily curled with the end of a paintbrush.
The straight pieces and curve at the top of the gate were created by cutting paper towel tubes lengthwise in 3/8″ strips. Where I needed particularly long strips, I simply glued several strips together.
Glue curls in place. As the glue dries, the piece will be come surprisingly sturdy.
I chose a textured brown Krylon spray paint to create the look of brown rust. I placed the finished project outside and simply sprayed it from all angles. It took entire can of spray paint for this project.
The final project achieved that old rusty look I was going for.
For more details on the techniques used to create this project, be sure to check out my other faux metal wall art tutorials.
My original toilet paper tube project is my Faux Metal Wall Art which was featured in the August issue of Crafts ‘n Things Magazine!
My Metal Filigree Frame and my Faux Brass Wall Clock. And you would never know these all started off as an innocent little toilet paper tube!
For over 200 tutorials for all ages, be sure to visit my Tutorial Page!
I asked my husband to guess what this was made of and he was just as shocked as I was 😀 This is stunning as are your other projects. Thank you for sharing this with us at Funtastic Friday! Pinning
Thank you!
This is an amazing project. I would never have thought this was made from paper towel tubes. It looks great.
This is an amazing project. Kudos for basically making something out of nothing. Love this…Thanks for the ideas! Sandi
Hi Blanca!
A much smaller version of this type of craft can be found here:
https://suzyssitcom.com/2012/08/faux-metal-wall-art-including-free-patterns.html
Would love to see what you come up with!
suzy
I think this is also a great way to recycle paper products.
I think by spraying first, then after you cut them, the edges would not be the brown spray colour, they would look like the cardboard. I suggest cutting first and then spraying. Just my 2¢
I have made several Christmas wreaths as gifts to family and friends using toilet paper rolls. I also use TP rolls to wind up any left over yarn from a skein that is just about done. I use my electric mixer, hold the end the start the mixer until the yarn is all wound up around the TP roll. Then I cut a small slit and insert the end of the yarn in there so that it does not unravel. I wish I had taken pic before giving them away but now I know better 🙁
I loved this one!! Do you have something I could use for seniors. I give them crafts class every week. PLEASEE
It’s so beautiful!
Thanks for share your creativity!
You are very welcome! I’d love to see what you make!
suzy
I am so excited to start this , but I have to finish a baby blanket first,
I have made pictures with the rolls and I still collect them. I have to many things to do so little time You see I am 78 years old, I will hurry
Thank you so much for your door pattern.
Thank alot and very beautiful.
You are very welcome!
Oh fantastic Suzy it look totally real!
Will add this (not exact copy of course) to my list of projects.
So many todo’s and so little time!
thank you for the idea and the clear description.
Nice design. Came here from goog looking for metal gates tutorial hahaa and actually you have given me an idea how to do it.
Thanks
HI Marie,
Thank you! It took a bit of time. I believe several days. I tend to get a bit carried away on my craft projects. Would love to see what you come up with!
suzy
This is beautiful! My only question is how did this take? This would be my first toilet paper roll project…
This is jaw dropping fabulous!
This project is really terrific! who knew TP rolls could turn into something this beautiful?! Loved seeing all the photos and reading your narrative. Well done!
wow…really awesome! That is one great project!!
You could use all paper towel rolls or even wrapping paper rolls!
Hi Rose,
Thank you so much! Would love to see what you come up with!!
suzy
Congratulations on the great quilling project. I have been quilling for many years and have created hundreds of quilling projects like flowers and snowflakes. It really is a great craft, and although it looks intricate, it is one of those things that anyone with a bit of patience can do. Your project however, really takes quilling to a whole another level. You have inspired me. I am going to try to do something with toilet papar and paper towel rolls myself and see what I come up with. Thanks for the inspiration!
Girl. Whoa. Just whoa. I can’t believe your gate started life as dispenser of piddle paper.
Amazing project! Quick question, would it save time (and perhaps paint?) if we sprayed the TP rolls before cutting them. And then maybe just do a quick coat at end? Especially for other TP roll projects that may not require texture finish?
Wow! Just wow! Absolutely fab. Thank you for sharing!
wow!!! now i must save tp rolls AGAIN 😀
All I can say is brilliant! Love it!
Hi Linda,
Thanks so much for stopping by! Yep, it was a lot of work, but I love the results. It is fun to make things out of recycled items that look anything but recycled.
How pretty…but that looks like a lot of work!
I want to make these in quarter scale for my fairy village. I will give you all the credit when I show the steps on my blog.
How exciting that you can provide tuts for miniaturists like me, altho’ you probably didn’t realize you were doing that. Thanks.
Pat
petitemoonbeams.blogspot.com
Thanks so much,is beautiful!
Cheers!
Laura
Argentina
Thanks for another beautiful craft!! and congratulations on having this craft in “Craft” magazine!
Hi!
The two doors of the gate have wood on each side. There are two strips of balsa wood going up the very center of the project. Hope that helps. Would love to see what you come up with!
suzy
This is amazing! So beautiful and creative!
I am thinking about doing this….but I only saw 3 pcs of woods. Where is the fourth one?
I don’t know how I missed this one the first time around, Suzy! I’d seen the others, but not this one, so I’m really glad I saw it pinned in the round up. This is amazing! Feeling inspired! 🙂
Inspired! You are indeed the Queen of Crafts.
Oh I think I have the perfect spot for a piece like this! I’ll let you know when I get it done. . . but don’t hold your breath because sometimes ideas stay in my que for quite some time!
This is inspired! Thanks so much. This will def be on my list (after I save enough rolls of course)!
Seriously!!?? I think you’re my new blogger-crush cause you have so many awesome ideas…now I’m gonna have to save my TP rolls. How can I collect enough without the hubby tossing my cardboard tube stash before it gets used…ROFL.
Love this project! I made a tp roll wreath and it was kind of droopy – now I know I need mor support (story of my life…LOL). Congrats on the feature in Crafts n Things too!
wow this is amazing!!!! can’t believe it’s made from TP rolls!!
Amazing! This is just beautiful. You have more talent than anyone ever. I love this.
You are amazing!!! Thanks for the tutorial!
Now I see where you hung this! (seen on Craftsy) You are truly talented & patient!
I like this beautiful tutorial. By this tutorial i have learned that how can i make a nice iron gate using toilet papers as a nice show piece which i can hang on my wall. Its great. Thanks for this nice tutorial.
Wow, that took a lot of work. you may be the one to give me an idea. I need to build a castle front for a cross country course for a horse show in november. it has to be sturdy, weatherproof, and very cheep. Last year we built a tepee for it (theme pioneer days). This year medival times. Also prize ideas for each event if you are interested.
You’re the Queen! I love it! Thanks so much…
I just love your work! I get all weird about TP rolls that I can’t keep them and my hubby throws out the Paper Towel rolls so i never get to try this stuff.
Shut the front door! Oh my gosh, the only thing i can say is WOW. thanks for sharing =)
I love it! I could not tell from the photo that it was toilet paper rolls. What a surprise. You are very talented…
Cheers!
Lori D.
Atlanta
It looks fantastic! I think you can make just about anything out of toilet paper tubes.
Awesome..this is another great idea from you my friend..
Thanks for sharing dear!